If You Want me to Believe You’re an Ally

Uncategorized

If you want to me to believe that you’re an ally to others, without being performative, start lifting up people from communities that you don’t belong to. People who you admire, for their leadership, their talent, their minds, their stories of their magnificence, etc..

If you want me to believe that you’re an ally who is here to be a part of the community rather than co-opting it show me people who you’ve befriended, who don’t look like you. People you’ve made space for at your own table or invited into bigger tables. People who come from different upbringings and backgrounds. People who have not had the same opportunities or had to venture across a different path than you to get to where you both are now.

If you want me (or anyone else for that matter) to believe that you’re an ally start by showing us more than telling us because I personally have had it with people who tell me all day long how committed they are to their allyship, only to act as some of the worst oppressors that I’ve met.

The days of performative conversation are over and this next generation isn’t having it. Ally is a verb, so if you truly want to show us all how much of an ally you actually are then perhaps my friend, it’s time to get to work!