{"id":677,"date":"2021-12-09T10:28:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T10:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/difference\/?p=677"},"modified":"2022-03-28T11:19:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T11:19:12","slug":"the-ally-toolkit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/difference\/the-ally-toolkit\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ally Toolkit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Photo by\u00a0Randy Fath<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Author: Luna Mia Sigle<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The fight against racism is in everyone\u2019s hands. However, when it comes to white people who want to make change, it can feel daunting, even intimidating, to take part in antiracism. Oftentimes they struggle to identify barriers and problems, and when they do, they might not perceive the power they have to create a more equal society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year at the University of Westminster we are celebrating Black History Year<\/a>, and we had the pleasure to contribute with an episode of our Different Conversations podcast<\/a>. On this occasion, Mr Stephen Bunbury<\/a> from the School of Law and Dr Kate M. Graham<\/a> from the School of Humanities speak about what it means to be an ally. The conversation was highly insightful, so we came up with an \u2018ally toolkit\u2019 inspired by their discussion to make antiracism allyship accessible to all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to be an ally?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An ally is typically a member of a dominant group who challenges systemic oppression. To be an ally means to take part in making the world a fairer place, but to do that, it is necessary to acknowledge social inequalities and the structural racism the world is built upon. As Dr Graham<\/a> mentions on the podcast<\/a>, allyship is action. Being an ally involves recognition and active participation in social change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is racism still a problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When we say that society is structurally racist, we are talking about all the ways in which the world is organised in favour of white people. This is not just structured overt racism, but is based on prejudices, ignorance and stereotypes around black people. Education, criminal justice, history, health and even our geography shape the opportunities of BAME groups, leaving them in a disadvantaged position compared to white people, who can more easily move across these spaces. \u201cWhen we think about inequalities\u201d, says Dr Graham, \u201cwe tend to see a model with the centre and the margins, and people are brought in from the margins towards the centre. That only means someone else will occupy that marginalised position.\u201d Ally work is deconstructing that model, changing the social structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still can\u2019t see it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, why would<\/em> you see it? One of the highlights of the discussion<\/a> was Dr Graham<\/a>\u2019s point on dismissal. When discrimination is pointed out, white people can feel a certain level of distrust or even defensiveness. Since they did not see it, did not face it, they dismiss black people\u2019s experiences. The assumption that we would identify every injustice and that our personal experience is the same as everyone else\u2019s is, too, a sign of our privileged position. In those cases, the best thing we can do is listen. Even if you do not fully understand, engage in active, empathetic listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really want to help; I just don\u2019t know how\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do not let fear stop you. It is natural to be scared of getting it wrong, and we will probably make mistakes along the way, but that is fine as long as we rectify. We can all learn by reading and doing research. Try. Listen. Ask questions. Question yourself<\/em>. Allyship is not about ticking boxes. There is no checklist that will stop racism, because ticking boxes is not thinking. There are endless places where we can contribute to antiracism\u2014our workplace, our friendship circles, our family, the content we consume\u2014, and once we start seeing it; it never stops. Our critical thinking skills permeate everything, and if we equip ourselves with them, our fight against racism gets easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to contribute<\/h2>\n\n\n\n