How to be an ally

Photo from instagram: @tobehonestnl

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela

Photo from instagram: @magnoliaemporium

We can all help and support the movements. It's okay if you don't know where to start or if you're feeling overwhelmed and wanting to know more. Below is a list of actions you can do & ways to support POC.

Photo from instagram: @sosialantenne

“If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you recognize that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.” — activist and visual artist- Lilla Watson.

What Can I Do?

Ally defined in the Oxford dictionary as:

noun: Pronounced /ˈalī/
noun singular: ally; plural noun: allies
Definition: a person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity.

verb: Pronounced /əˈlī/
verb: ally; 3rd person present: allies; past tense: allied; past participle: allied; gerund or present participle: allying
Definition: side with or support.

Synonyms: alliance, unite, join, associate, friend, partner, supporter, join forces, combine, helper, merge.

Check on your POC friends, family, colleagues, etc.
NOTE: There are various different ways to say how are you...

- You can start by offering some insight on how you're feeling.
  - eg. "I've been having a hard time sleeping and balancing school/work. I'll be okay, how have you been feeling?
- You can ask something specific:
  - What have you been thinking about lately?
  - How has your day been?
  - Do you have anything coming up you're excited or nervous about?
  - Have you tried any new foods or recipes?
- Offer an activity & follow up
  - Want to watch a movie together?
  - Want to FaceTime/zoom/WhatsApp call/video call and play a game or watch a show together?
- Offer support without being specific
  - I've been thinking about you lately. I'm here for you when/if you need
  - Is there anything I can do to help/support?
  - Let me know what I can do.
- Be curious and be genuine.
  - Have you read any good books lately?
  - Have you watched any good movies or tv shows?
  - Have you come across any blogs that shows your interest?
  - How have you been sleeping?
  - What have you done for YOU today?
- Be acceptance of their space and be mindful.
  - Just to let you know, I care about you, I've been thinking about you - no need to respond I just wanted you to know.

Be ready to gain some knowledge.

You may feel uncomfortable and coming to note your own privilege and that feeling is okay. Remember why you're educating yourself and use coping strategies as you feel needed. (See section: Mental Wellness for strategies)

Read on antiracist works: a list will be provided below
You may come across information on social media. Be mindful of what you're sharing as it can be traumatic for others.
There are many other ways to be an ally by signing petitions, support movements and advocate. If you can- donate.

Petitions have made a huge difference. Many that are being completed are being done on change.org. On this website, you can browse various petitions related to Black-POC lives. Legislation has been changed, an example of this is new legislation called "The Breonna's Law." This law bans no-knock search warrants in the city of Louisville. Breonna Taylor was murdered in her home when police officers barged in without warrants or confirmation from anyone.

Focus on the goal of this revolution and movement.

This is not a phase. Continue advocating and supporting even if hashtags aren't trending. Do not stop talking about this. Change will happen as long as we continue to advocate and have those conversations and discussions. Amplify the voices of POC.

Observe your community and who you're supporting. What does that mean?
Be mindful of who is saying what. What companies support the movements and ones that continue to show racism. You do not have to support racist organizations and companies. Support local business. Support POC business. This revolution goes beyond one of society but plays a role in the economy as well. (see novel: The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy by Andrea Flynn, Susuan R. Holmberg, Dorian T. Warren, and Felicia J. Wong)
Check-in with yourself.

What does this look like? Mental health check-ins with yourself is very important. Don't hesitate to reach out, communicate and continue those conversations.

How can you support yourself and others? Advocate. Amplify the voices of POC. Listen to your body, how are you feeling? What do you need? REACH. OUT.

Can you volunteer?

Join organizations?

Contact legislators in your municipality.

12 Books to read about race instead of asking POC to explain it to you

Below are a list of books that can help understand what it likes to live in our world today. From various cultures and from a historical perspective, this list takes a turn through an American perspective and how society is today.

The Tradition by Jericho Brown

Brown is an American poet who addresses issues from sexual identity to mass shootings and the police killings of unarmed Black men within a Canadian context.

Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard

Robyn Maynard's Policing Black Lives focuses on the historical realities of anti-Blackness within a Canadian context. Maynard examines how slavery occurred in Canada for more than 200 years and that enslaved Indigenous and black individuals were responsible for developing society. He explores the environment for white Canadian settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries — and how that has influenced racism today.

So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo

Oluo explains some of the biggest racial issues such as white privilege, micro-aggressions, police brutality, & the beginning of revolutions such as- the Black Lives Matter movement, and more. This read aids anyone trying to understand identity, representation, and racism in modern day America.

When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir' by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Asha Bandele

When They Call You a Terrorist is a must-read to anyone who wants to understand the Black Lives Matter movement. It details what life is like for individuals in the front lines. Written by artist, activist, and Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors and journalist and author Asha Bandele, this powerful memoir explains what it is like to be black in today's racially charged America.

Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower' by Brittney Cooper

Cooper breaks down the stereotypes of how black women are perceived. Through this, Cooper focuses on history, pop culture, and her personal experiences from childhood and adulthood to position "eloquent rage" as a source of power that grants black women from Serena Williams to Michelle Obama the strength to not only survive but thrive in America.

An African American and Latinx History of the United States' by Paul Ortiz

To understand our current state, we need to understand the past. Ortiz's does this from a historical perspective. This book focuses on the intersectional look at the country's development in the lens of African American and Latinx communities that helped it flourish, often to their own detriment.

The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority' by Ellen D. Wu

The Colour of Success. Through the lens of stereotypes and the portrayal of Asian Americans and the belief they cause harm. Wu dismantles this and explains the current state and how this has changed.

Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race' by Debby Irving

In Waking Up White explores racial privilege. In it, author Debby Irving opens up about her experiences living as a white individual who is praised for her skin and her reflections as she sees others who are treated poorly for theirs.

This Muslim American Life: Dispatches from the War on Terror' by Moustafa Bayoumi

Moustafa Bayoumi details the current culture of the War on Terror as experienced by Muslim Americans. From personal experience and academic research, Bayoumi describes what happened to America as experienced by Muslim Americans.

The Hidden Rules of Race: Barriers to an Inclusive Economy' by Andrea Flynn, Susuan R. Holmberg, Dorian T. Warren, and Felicia J. Wong

Usually talked in social terms, the inequality of race goes beyond this. This impacts the economy and the lack of diversity and inclusivity we have for all people. The Hidden Rules of Race offers various strategies and examples on how POC should be receiving the same quality and opportunities.

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations About Race' by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Beverly Daniel Tatum's classic Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? brings the conversation about race. This updated book is the perfect starting point into all of those uncomfortable, but vital discussions about race in America.

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism' by Safiya Umoja Noble

In Algorithms of Oppression, professor of communication Safiya Umoja Noble investigates investigates the inequalities and ways in which search engines and domaines- such as google, actually promote racial biases, discrimination of POC- especially women of colour, and instead promote white privilege.

Photo from: www.weheartit.com

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” —Barack Obama

Photo from twitter handle: @gracieleeart

Organizations that support change

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

The Caring Society works to ensure the safety and well-being of First Nations youth and their families through education initiatives, public policy campaigns and providing quality resources to support communities. Using a reconciliation framework that addresses contemporary hardships for Indigenous families in ways that uplift all Canadians, the Caring Society champions culturally based equity for First Nations children and their families so that they can grow up safely at home, be healthy, achieve their dreams, celebrate their languages and culture and be proud of who they are. The Caring Society proudly works with our partners in Canada and around the world to promote the rights of Indigenous children.

Suite 401 – 309 Cooper Street, Ottawa ON K2P 0G5 | 613-230-5885 | info@fncaringsociety.com

https://fncaringsociety.com/

It Starts With Us

To Contact ItStartsWithUs please email: itstartswithusmmiw@gmail.com

No More Silence (NMS) aims to develop an inter/national network to support the work being done by activists, academics, researchers, agencies and communities to stop the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women.

Follow them on Twitter: @NoM0reSilence

Families of Sisters in Spirit (FSIS) is a grassroots not-for-profit volunteer organization located on unceded Algonquin Territory (Ottawa) led by families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls with support from Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies.

Follow them on Twitter: @Famsisterspirit

The Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN) is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada. Through their work, they recognize self-determination over our bodies is connected to how young Indigenous women, girls, LGBTTQQIA*, Two-Spirit, and gender non-conforming youth are/are not affected by all forms of gender based violence. Reclaiming sexuality on our own terms is critical in ending sexual violence.

Follow them on Twitter: @NYSHN

http://itstartswithus-mmiw.com/

Black Women in Motion

Through an anti-racist, intersectional feminist, trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework, Black Women in Motion works to empower and support Black women and survivors of sexual violence.

EMAIL:

info@blackwomeninmotion.org

https://blackwomeninmotion.org/our-story

FoodShare Toronto

Toronto-based activist group Not Another Black Life has partnered with FoodShare Toronto to offer Black families GoodFood boxes as they self-isolate due to COVID-19 following the Justice for Regis March in Toronto on May 30.

To make a donation go to:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/34403/donation

Black Lives Matter regional chapters

Donations can be made to regional chapters of the international organization, such as Black Lives Matter Toronto or Black Lives Matter Vancouver.

https://blacklivesmatter.ca/

Black Health Alliance

The Black Health Alliance is a community-led organization that looks to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.

Address: 1 Valentine Drive, North York, ON CANADA M3A 3J5

E-mail: info@blackhealthalliance.ca

https://blackhealthalliance.ca/

Black Artists’ Network Dialogue

The Black Artists’ Network Dialogue seeks to empower and provide a spotlight on the contributions of Black artists in Canada and internationally.

Gallery Hours

Mon-Wed Closed

Thurs-Sat 12pm to 5pm

Sun 1pm-5pm

Address: 19 Brock Ave, Toronto, ON

E-mail: info@bandgallery.com

https://www.bandgallery.com/

Unist’ot’en 2020 Legal Fund

While protecting their unceded territory, the Unist'ot'en community has been confronted with increasing legal fees. You can help by donating to the Unist’ot’en 2020 Legal Fund.

For support: info@unistoten.com

For more information: Unistoten.camp

Buy merch with 100% proceeds going to Unist’ot’en: https://www.solidarityartspace.com

https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten2020legalfund/

Indigenous Awareness Canada

Indigenous Awareness Canada wants to help Canadians learn about the country’s Indigenous people through online Indigenous awareness training and in-person workshops.

https://indigenousawarenesscanada.com/

Circles for Reconciliation

Through small gatherings (and now online), Circles for Reconciliation aims to foster trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

info@CirclesforReconciliation.ca

https://circlesforreconciliation.ca/

Black Business and Professional Association

The Black Business and Professional Association focuses on equity and opportunity for the Black community in business, employment, education, and economic development.

Corporate Info: 180 Elm Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M4

Phone: 416.504.4097 E-mail: info@bbpa.org

Sponsor Inquiries: E: info@bbpa.org Phone: 416.504.4097

https://bbpa.org/

Black Liberation Collective

The Black Liberation Collective is a movement of students tackling anti-Black racism in post-secondary institutions that can be found internationally.

http://www.blackliberationcollective.org/

Freedom School Toronto

As a youth- and parent-led group, Freedom School Toronto works to combat anti-Black racism in the school system, providing year-round opportunities to help generate systemic change.

https://freedomschooltoronto.ca/

Federation of Black Canadians

As a network of organizations, the Federation of Black Canadians works to advance the interests of Canadians of African. The federation prioritizes community building, higher education, health, economic security, reducing racism, and criminal justice reform.

info@fbcfcn.ca

https://fbcfcn.ca/

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse