After watching the Ted talk “Want a more just world? Be an unlikely ally” and listening to “The Air We Breathe: Implicit Bias and Police Shooting” I had another opportunity to reflect on identities. The Ted talk by Nita Mosby Tyler discusses the need for allyship and what that actually means. She discusses her experience of growing up and wanting to take a ballet class as a little girl. She was met with one continuous statement that was revolved around black people not being welcomed. Her story sums up with a white woman going into black communities and teaching ballet to the same children that were turned away. Being an ally is not performative, intent does not matter, actions does. Tyler asked why didn’t the other white parents spoke against the discrimination she faced. Overall, she mentions the importance of having ‘unlikely allies’ or allies from circles who are not directly effected by the issues in order to push change. The podcast discussed the numerous implicit biases that is present within the criminal justice system, primarily the police. It reinforced this term known as ‘white racial frame’ to me. Essentially, that is the mindset that only focuses on the white (primarily men) dominant frame without considering the narrative present in other demographics. This is present within all demographics as well. The constant shootings of ‘dangerous’ black men is a result of that. Due to the glaring differences in the backgrounds of both the police officer and the person who has been shot dead, there’s sense of divide. The narrative of ‘dangerous’ black people has been present in all forms of society since it’s origin. This has led to the BLM movement and the dismissive response to the movement known as Blue Lives Matter. The work of unlikely allies could bridge the lines between both parties and lead to change.

After watching both medias, my mindset has not changed. All of these things have been discussed in this race class (BLS 1003 w/ Professor Melaku, TAKE HER, SHE’S AMAZING)(ACTUALLY JUST TAKE A DAM RACE CLASS, A LOT FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN) and talks on allyship is common.

– I WILL NOW GO OVER SOMETHINGS I’VE LEARNED –

The term is thrown around but many people do not know how to actually be an ally. You can generally disagree with how a group is treated but still minimize their feelings and narrative when interacting with them. This is the privilege that allies need to understand in order to actually become an ally. (We all have privileges and prejudices held against that we now have but have not earned. Ex: Being a man, American, Christian, etc.) Listening to a groups issues and empowering them to speak is very important if one wants to be an ally. Things like white guilt are not necessary and shouldn’t exist;  no one is blaming the people of today over this same issues that have existed. All that is asked for people outside of respective communities wanting to actually help is understanding what privileges that they benefit from. In the example given with supporting black people, colorblind racism is perpetuated when people do not understand the privileges they have. Therefore, undermining many of the issues present allows racist narratives to evolve and continue. (Look up the bootstrap mentality that equates POC not becoming successful with being lazy or not driven despite the fact they do not have resources and have to fight for everything they have). Be sure to see the differences in those you serve, and do not congregate people to your experience as your experiences don’t define their issues.  Moving on, an ally has to use their privileges in order to push a cause but they cannot take control over a movement and control the narrative. The narrative of an ally is outdated as discussed in the Ted talk; accomplices are needed to do the work. What privileges can they use in order to actually do the work.  Performative activism (liking posts or simply sharing things online) is not actual work.

Quick side note

• one cannot just claim to be an ally, they have to do the work and someone within the group they’re trying to help actually has to declare them one.
• Just because there has been progress that does not excuse the issues that are present today
• AGAIN, WE ALL HAVE PRIVILEGES AND PREJUDICES within the theoretical line of social justice. We did not earn either of the two but understand yours.
  • PRIVILEGES:
    • I’m American; I’m Heterosexual; I’m a Man; I have both my parents in my life; I have a place to live; I am a college student; I speak ‘proper’ English; I have no disabilities; I believe in God
  • PREJUDICES:
    • I’m Black; I have dark skin; My family does not own land; I have afro like hair; I live in the inner urban city; I am a first gen student
  • What are your privileges and prejudices and how does this effect your experience and how you feel about certain things? Where do the privileges and prejudices overlap (intersectionality of identity)? I have recently started to understand my own and it has allowed me to be a better person.
• White people who do race work are listened to much more than those who are black. (this can be found with LGTBQ+ work with heterosexual people or Feminist Activism with men)
• Take a race class please and thank you! Hire more full time employees who represent our beautifully diverse city!

Peace, tranquility and trust in your ability!