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THE ALLEYNIAN 709
OPINION, INTERVIEWS & FEATURES
Alexander Poli (Year 10) considers the best approach to combatting bigotry and becoming an active ally
ALLIED TO CHANGE
ARTWORK — MILES STANDAGE (YEAR 10)
2020 was a year like no other in many ways, but one particular event that shook the world was George Floyd’s death at the hands of the policeman Derek Chauvin, prompting protests from people across the globe. Unfortunately, it is true to say that a lot of the resulting activism has been strictly performative, and from this, the question arises: how can one truly be an ally, not only to Black people, but to other minorities as well? How do we ensure our activism and support is neither for show, nor merely self-serving? What does it mean to be an ally? I am a white male, and before the BLM protests, these were questions that I had not thought about. One of the most important parts of allyship is listening to people from within the group you are hoping to be an ally to. Through doing this, you can learn to be a better friend to marginalised groups (and we must also bear in mind that a minority group is not a homogenised collection of identikit people, either). It is up to you to do your research, to develop your own judgements and then use your platform, whatever that may be, to promote allyship, and to share information.
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While these things are all important, the most effective way to combat racist bigotry is to recognise race, and then to work to challenge our own inner prejudices. As fellow Alleynian journalist Ekow Amoah (Year 12) says: ‘the battle is really against ourselves – against our pride, prejudice and social conditioning. Once an individual acknowledges that the society within which they exist has been constructed over the 200,000 years of human existence, they can take the societal constructs for what they are: constructs. Then a lot of that hatred and brainwashing washes away, and falls flat. Give people a whole canvas on which to convey themselves as individuals rather than a small quadrant on a stained canvas. In addition, we need to appreciate that the colours we get to paint with are determined by people we never have met, and never will meet.’ In conclusion, to be an ally to individuals within a group, you must first try to understand what they face by listening to members of that group and by doing research. Then you can encourage allyship and support minority voices in your daily life, and through platforms such as social media if you have them. As an ally, you must also combat bigotry when you encounter it, standing up and explaining to people why their words and actions are wrong. It is so important to understand the challenges different minority groups face. A true ally is one who understands this, and who takes action.
Promoting allyship does not mean putting yourself in the limelight. For example, if you are able-bodied and discussing allyship with someone who has a disability, it is important you do not speak over them, thereby silencing them, as it is almost certain they have a more informed view of the relevant societal challenges. Another important part of being an ally is ensuring that your actions back up your words. There is no use simply talking about racism and calling yourself an ally – your actions in the real world must reflect those words. For instance, contend with bigotry when you see it. If someone makes a racist or homophobic remark in a lesson, or an office, call them out on it. Explain why you disagree with what they’re saying, and point out that the remark was homophobic or racist. One might think, ‘I don’t need to, surely someone else will combat their bigotry, such as teacher, or the person referred to in the remark.’ This is, however, a mentality that leads to bigotry never being combatted, for if everyone thinks like this, nobody speaks, and the remarks go unchecked. You might be worried that if you, for instance, stand up to a racist remark, you will be perceived as trying to be a ‘white saviour’. However, this is not so. If you challenge bigoted remarks whenever you hear them, you’re not a white saviour, you’re an ally.
How do we ensure our activismand support is neither for show nor merely self- serving?
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