How to Become a Better Ally

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To become a better ally is to transform your privilege into your purpose—utilize it for something bigger and better.

So, what is an ally? An ally is someone who helps another, who connects and bonds with another, and who supports another.

Although you won’t be able to fully understand, it’s okay. You don’t need to. The conversation is not about you. It’s about you using your privilege to speak for those whose privilege isn’t as loud as yours.

Becoming a better ally isn’t only about liking a Black Lives Matter post on Instagram or sharing a D&I tweet on your LinkedIn. It’s also about how we interact and respond to those in our daily lives.

Here are some ways we can become a better ally.

Unlearn

You may assume you know something but the truth is, you’re not always right. It’s important to remove the notion that you already know enough. Maybe you don’t consider yourself racist and perhaps you think you don’t need to hear about this—but that’s a huge part of the problem.

You need to strip your mind of what you think you have figured out. Open up your mind and heart, and remain unbiased to the uncomfortable conversation. Start challenging your views rather than turning a blind eye.

To challenge your views, you must unlearn what you’ve previously perceived to be true.

If you do not experience inequality, marginalization, or racism firsthand, then your responsibility from this point on is to listen until you become properly educated.

It’s necessary to note that the process of this will probably feel uncomfortable, which is normal and needed.

Growth cannot happen with the absence of discomfort, so just accept it and allow it to teach you something.

Listen

This is the time to de-centre yourself. Understand that none of this is about you and it’s not personal. Listen to your black friends, colleagues who you work with who are people of colour, those who have dealt with inequality their entire lives, hear the words from them—firsthand.

Seek out anti-racist resources including podcasts, interviews, books and movies. Attend panels, workshops and talks to absorb information and ask questions about racial injustice.

Amplify

To amplify is to support, loudly and unapologetically. Social media is a great way to amplify the stories and voices of BIPOC.

Seek out content creators, artists, poets, musicians, and storytellers online. Whatever your niche, there are BIPOC in the space who exist and whose platforms need to be amplified.

Actively support them and give them credit where it is due. Spread informative information that will expand the conversation!

Leap

Developed by Stephanie Creary, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Management, the LEAP Framework was designed to assist people with different backgrounds to develop better relationships in the workplace.

To LEAP is to Listen to, Engage with, Ask questions, and Provide opportunities and general support to your black colleagues.

Support

Another way to amplify BIPOC is to support small businesses. Start by doing some research on brands and discover who founded them. Lend your support by shopping and sharing their products directly.

To lead by example, there are many black-owned Canadian businesses that you can shop at and support.

Be Inclusive

Using inclusive language is to speak to everyone. When you speak on certain matters, don’t just base conversations around the people in your life. To be vocally inclusive is to adapt your language in a way that speaks to everyone equally.

Revisit some of the terms and phrases that you commonly use. As language evolves, sometimes it’s time to put racist, sexist and distasteful language in the past.

Another way to be inclusive is through opportunities. In the workplace, include your colleagues who are BIPOC and make them feel appreciated and valued.

For example, advocate for more BIPOC to be key speakers at special events or workshops. Having diverse voices not only provides unique perspectives, but workplace diversity also increases innovation, creativity, performance and better results.

Not everyone is an activist. But you don’t have to be.

Becoming an ally requires you to show up in an authentic way. Not everyone is an activist. But you don’t have to be. Use your voice to stand up for diversity and equality in your own authentic way.

To become a better ally is to transform your privilege into your purpose—utilize it for something bigger and better.

 

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