Critiquing Allyship

Dear University of North Alabama,

We are writing this letter to address the ongoing concern of white allies centering themselves in Black scholarship and infiltrating spaces that were formed to advocate for Black lives. Through the years members of your faculty have utilized both their (white) privilege and proximity to Black organizations to undermine the work of grassroots Black activists using methods not limited to; stealing ideas, taking up space in Black scholarship, failing to listen to the grievances of Black allies, seeking to build careers off of the pain and suffering of Black people i.e. centering yourself while downplaying the voices of Black leadership thereby weakening the collective power of grassroots coalitions, engaging in antagonistic behavior that is rooted in racial biases and being defensive when this behavior is criticized by our fellow Black allies. Not only is this behavior a form of violence, it white washes the legacy of our predecessors, undermines the collective power of the Black radical tradition and fails to credit Project Say Something’s contributions to fighting racial injustice while reconciling Alabama’s past with its present.

This problematic behavior is rooted in the same culture of white supremacy that is exhibited by white conservatives, but in many ways more covert and sinister. White Liberals who make up the majority of academia often weaponize their privilege to undermine the goals of the Black radical tradition and engage in a self-righteous form of allyship that conveniently and arrogantly positions white liberals as “white saviors” in opposition to their conservative counterparts without interrogating the ways their own actions (well intended or otherwise) have colonized Black spaces. This is performative allyship: a lack of commitment to amplifying Black voices, a method of easing your own feelings of white guilt, and a desire to chase clout at the expense of Black lives.

The University of North Alabama failed it’s Black students on numerous occasions but continues to exploit the labor of Black people by implementing their/our ideas. This creates a white washed brand of social justice that is rooted in a superficial- performative- culture of allyship that assimilates Black liberation theory into white neo-liberal ideals under the guise of equality; a culture that pushes a hollow narrative of diversity and inclusion without actually providing its Black students with what they need most in predominantly white spaces: Equity, a sense of community and Black mentorship.

As Black history month approaches, we reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr’s critique of white liberals and white moderates:

“Over the last few years many Negroes have felt that their most troublesome adversary was not the obvious bigot of the Ku Klux Klan or the John Birch Society, but the white liberal who is more devoted to “order” than to justice, who prefers tranquility to equality….”

In Letter from The Birmingham Jail Dr. King offers another critique addressed to both Jewish and Christian clergymen by stating:

“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

Moving forward, Project Say Something believes that healing begins with defenseless listening. In the spirit of reconciliation and agape love, our Executive Director Camille Bennett offers the following tips to white people who are committed to doing the work:

1. White fragility is exhausting - When you feel defensive, angry, guilty or victimized by black expression, activism or self advocacy, work it out with other allies or through self reflection don’t project your fragility onto us, it hurts.

2. White saviorism is toxic - always move from a place of empowerment, white saviorism is disempowerment. Self righteous behaviors and God complexes will cause harm. Remember you are playing a supporting role not taking center stage.

3. Black self advocacy doesn’t need white consent - We do not need your permission. You may disagree with our strategy, may not share our sense of urgency, and may struggle with our tone. When this happens, fall back, it’s not about you.

4. You can’t “study” your way into expertise - Books, films and articles that explore the nuances of race and class are valuable tools for transformation but can never surpass the real life experience. Understanding the work is understanding you will never know as much as people of color about the effects of racism.

5. Be humble - you will fall on your face, you will offend, you will feel the clap back, your ego will taunt you, you will give in to your ego and your privilege at times. Above all else, you will grow. Accepting the role of allyship is accepting the way of humility.

In conclusion, our community demands more accountability and less performative white allyship. As Dr. King stated, “The white liberal must escalate his support for racial justice rather than de-escalate it…The need for commitment is greater today than ever.” If you choose to fight for equity and racial justice you must be ten toes down, feet firmly planted in community and solidarity. We challenge our allies to not only be committed to Black liberation, but transformed by the work. There can be no reconciliation without justice.

Thank you,

Project Say Something