What Does it Mean to be an Ally?

I used to think being an ally mostly meant supporting someone when they experienced discrimination. Now, I think allyship involves much more than simply saying that you support someone. Being an ally means listening, learning, and being willing to take action when you see something that is unfair or discriminatory.

One important part of allyship is understanding that we will not always know what another person has experienced. Someone may experience racism or discrimination in ways that we have never personally encountered. Instead of immediately trying to explain their experience, I think it is important to listen and take their perspective seriously.

Anti-racist allyship is an ongoing process. Nobody is expected to know everything, and everyone has opportunities to learn. Supporting racial justice can involve challenging stereotypes, speaking up against discrimination, educating ourselves, and helping create more equitable and inclusive communities.