Becoming an Ally
Being an ally for those in need helps one learn, grow, and change. Use your voice to speak out for the justice of marginalized groups. Below you will find resources for you to become an ally & how to be a better ally.
Following @wphsequity on Instagram:
We have an ongoing series on our Instagram page named: "Allyship at West Potomac". We make a post once a week regarding allyship at West Potomac- you'll find great resources there!
If you have trouble finding the posts, click the "Allyship" highlight on our Instagram page! All posts and more are there.
What Does it Mean to be an Ally?
A lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and/or groups of people.
To be an ally is to take up the opportunity to listen to minority groups and learn/ reflect on oneself to grow and change for the better.
What Can Allyship Look Like at West Potomac?
Lifting up other students by advocating and amplifying their voices. Let them know you “have their back”.
Listen to peers and friends who are struggling instead of viewing it as a personal attack.
Self reflect: Understand that you may have done things wrong or differently in the past but will identify them and change your actions moving forward
Calling out fellow peers when they say or do something prejudiced. Figure out ways to avoid conflict but correct those who are wrong.
In order to encourage inclusivity, encourage diversity in friend groups and extracurriculars.
Normalize changing your opinion and mentality.
Additional Notes:
Acknowledge that kids face discrimination, but also see their struggles as your own.
Know that people make mistakes, it’s okay to make mistakes. When becoming an ally, you may or may not make mistakes; whether that be through something you say, do, etc. If as an ally you do make a mistake, don’t make excuses for your actions. Instead, learn from mistakes and reflect and see what you need to tweak.
Remember your “why” for being an ally, especially when it gets tough. You are not an ally to make yourself feel good. You act as an ally to help bring awareness to issues other communities face while not speaking over them
Allyship Acrostic:
Action: taking steps towards equality for all through active involvement.
Listen: hearing the voice of groups, regardless of their background.
Learn: commitment to improving and diversifying our understanding of issues that face minorities.
Yield: realizing that we must bring awareness to the issues of marginalized groups while not monopolizing or speaking for them.
Support: acting as a constant source of encouragement and “having the back” of WP students who face struggles and other issues.
Heal: working on bridging the gap of past unacceptable events through reflection within oneself.
Inclusivity: creating a positive environment where all are welcome and treated equally.
Progress: continuing to move forward and instill positive ally ship within each and every community.
How to Start Becoming a Better Ally:
Listen and learn: It is not the responsibility of anyone in any marginalized groups to educate you, but if the opportunity arises for you to listen to their story- or if they have something to say, listen. There is a lot you can learn by just listening. Also, take it upon yourself to learn, read articles, books, watch movies on the topic or interviews from advocates.
Support, but avoid making it about you: It is important to be present and supportive, but avoid making the conversation about you. If you are an ally, and this isn't about us, it's about the people we are supporting.
Be brave: Allyship may put you up against people who are stubborn with their beliefs. Don't be afraid to speak your mind to help uplift and support those we are trying to help.
Accept any criticism or advice: If someone gives you advice about how to advocate differently, or a way that you might be hurting more than helping, take the advice. There is no reason to get defensive, the other person has the same goals as you do. Try to work together to come up with something that can be beneficial.
Learn to unlearn ideas or misconceptions: which you’ve had in the past. Educate yourself about things that are true and unbiased. Opinionated history only often leads to misconceptions which you should avoid. Know the fact versus fiction and be willing to learn and unlearn certain topics.
Impact of Allyship:
How it aids those discriminated against:
Allies are helping the voices of the oppressed be heard and serve as powerful voices alongside the oppressed and discriminated, by using their privilege and power
How allyship teaches allies:
Allyship teaches allies by constantly challenging them to learn and unlearn everyday, while also taking on the struggles of the oppressed as their own despite not knowing what it truly feels like.
What allyship teaches allies:
Allyship teaches allies to accept, and learn from criticism as hard and uncomfortable as it may be, how to amplify suppressed voices, and how to teach others about allyship and how to have uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations about oppression & discrimination
What Does Allyship Lead to?
Better relationships between people of different backgrounds/ beliefs
Understanding between people of different natures.
“I understand that we are not the same, but I respect your ideas and values.”
Respecting those who differ from you.
Increased support for minority groups
Recognition of targeted groups.
Increased peaceful interactions between people of different backgrounds