The Dual Faces of Allyship: Understanding Good and Harmful Allyship and the Importance of Accountability
By Noah "The Stigma Fighter"
“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”- Marsha P Johnson
As we observe Pride Month, it is imperative to reflect on the historical significance and ongoing struggles within our nation. Pioneers like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera come to mind, particularly for their courageous actions during the Stonewall Riots—a pivotal moment when they boldly declared that enough was enough and initiated a fight against oppression.
Our country's journey through these years has been tumultuous, marked by significant challenges and progress alike. In this context, one concept deserving heightened attention during Pride Month is allyship. Personally, I find the term "accomplices" more fitting in describing meaningful support for the LGBTQ+ community; an explanation for this preference will follow shortly.
What is Authentic Allyship?
According to The Anti-Oppression Network, allyship is characterized by a committed, ongoing effort of unlearning and re-evaluating behaviors and viewpoints. This concept involves individuals in positions of privilege and power actively seeking to support marginalized groups. To expand upon this definition, genuine allyship also necessitates the capacity for humility and the readiness to acknowledge one's mistakes. allyship refers to the act of standing with and advocating for marginalized groups in order to combat systemic oppression and discrimination. It involves actively listening to, learning from, and amplifying the voices of those who are oppressed. Genuine allyship requires a willingness to educate oneself on issues of injustice, as well as a commitment to taking action to create positive change. It also involves recognizing and addressing one's own biases and privilege, and working towards dismantling systems of oppression.
What are characteristics of an authentic accomplice?
When envisioning a genuine ally, I consider someone who demonstrates humility, refrains from asserting dominance, collaborates with us rather than merely working for us, and does not suggest compromising our values to maintain the status quo. Key characteristics of an authentic ally include:
Respectfulness: This involves acknowledging individuals' names and pronouns.
Employment of Critical Consciousness: As a fundamental aspect of social justice education, this entails understanding and analyzing oppressive systems and ideologies while recognizing societal power dynamics and inequalities.
Ability to self-reflect critically and actively listen to marginalized voices.
Recognition of one’s own privilege combined with a commitment to leveraging it for positive impact.
Willingness to acknowledge mistakes without defensiveness or emotional outbursts when confronted.
These attributes collectively define what it means to be an authentic accomplice in promoting equity and social justice.
What is Harmful Allyship?
When addressing the issue of harmful allyship, it is crucial to acknowledge that such efforts typically originate from a place of good intentions. However, these actions can inadvertently perpetuate existing stigmas and empower divisive sentiments. The various forms of harmful allyship include:
Performative- refers to engaging in supportive behaviors solely for recognition, rather than out of genuine commitment. Such conduct often undermines trust, as it lacks authenticity. When such behavior is challenged, it can lead to defensiveness and resistance. Additionally, marginalized groups may feel exploited or manipulated by these actions. Ultimately, performative allyship shifts the focus from critical issues onto the 'ally,' thereby diverting attention and resources away from meaningful support.
Savior Complex- An individual who believes they must "rescue" marginalized communities, often prioritizing their own involvement in the process. This behavior is detrimental as it undermines and disempowers those whom the so-called ally intends to assist, fostering dependency instead of genuine support. Additionally, this approach reinforces existing hierarchical structures and can lead to feelings of alienation, negatively impacting both the cause at hand and the mental well-being of all parties involved.
Overidentification- by definition, refers to an individual’s assertion of fully understanding the experiences of marginalized groups when such comprehension is inherently unattainable. The consequences of this behavior include diminishing the validity of these experiences, impeding personal and collective learning processes, and displaying a notable lack of respect.
Allyship for personal gain- This phenomenon refers to individuals engaging in allyship primarily for their own advantage. Such behavior can have severe repercussions, including the exploitation of marginalized groups, undermining social movements, and leading to the misallocation of resources.
Tokenism- refers to the practice of including individuals from marginalized groups in events or organizations solely for the purpose of projecting an image of diversity and inclusivity. This approach can lead to adverse outcomes such as feelings of isolation, reinforcement of marginalization, and mere symbolic representation instead of genuine inclusion.
Silence- Professing alliance yet remaining silent in critical moments where support is essential can perpetuate discrimination by failing to confront it. This silence often implies complicity, leads to demoralization of those affected, and results in significant missed opportunities for meaningful intervention.
Conditional Allyship- This is when someone is supporting marginalized groups only when it is convenient or comfortable. The effects from this include loss of trust, shows that the support is inconsistent, and it can perpetuate harm. In other words, conditional allyship is when someone claims to support a marginalized group but only does so when it is easy or convenient for them. They may speak out against discrimination or injustice when it suits them, but they are not consistently committed to challenging systemic oppression or actively working towards change.
Reflection for all
Mental health is fundamental and intrinsic to the human experience. The presence of stigmas adversely impacts our mental well-being, and it is imperative that we concentrate on dismantling these stigmas, striving toward a society free from such prejudices. Liberation should be pursued for all individuals, not just a select few.
In light of the current complexities facing the world, many may feel that voicing their opinions is futile; however, I urge you to speak out without fear of reproach. Our societal system often discourages dissent, but accountability remains crucial. It stands as a cornerstone of true allyship. When you make statements or take actions, stand by them rather than deflect blame onto others—such behavior only fosters further division. I prefer the term "accomplice" because it signifies commitment and solidarity in advocating with us rather than merely for us. To my siblings within the LGBTQIA+ community: know that you are loved and invaluable. Do not allow societal pressures to define or intimidate you—you are sufficient just as you are. Your primary focus should be on self-acceptance and self-impression above all else.
Everyone please stay safe and much love to you all!