How to be a better ally to BIPOC folk — 5 Easy Tips (Performative Allyship not included)
I recently shared my passion project, AMPLIFIED, a series that explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and POC folk, with a friend of mine. She was not interested in it because it did not relate to her as a white woman. Fair enough, but this wasn’t the first time that my friend who calls herself an ally, has dismissed my lived experience, my story. Do not be like her.
Everyone’s stories are valuable. We need to hear the stories of people from marginalized communities in their voice — from their perspective and not as an empty gesture or performative allyship. The reason for this is because while BIPOC is an inclusive term, the experiences of the respective identities and individuals is not a monolith.
Here are 5 ways you can support BIPOC community members and be an active ally (and surprise, surprise you can apply this to all your relationships):
1. Listen to us.
Seriously. Do not listen to respond, or critique or debate. Lend an ear to our stories through empathetic listening.
Acknowledge our feelings and let us share what we are willing to share with you.
2. Do not speak for us.
You can show support for a community or a cause by lending your platform as an ally without speaking for us.
This can be as simple as re-sharing their posts or as elaborate as inviting them to participate on a panel or a social media takeover. You can speak up without speaking over us.
3. Respect our boundaries.
There are a time and a place for discussions about race, gender and sexuality, and the best way to know if someone is willing to participate in these discussions or answer your questions is by asking them.
You also have to understand that they might say no, and that is okay.
4. Show up for us.
You can do this without in a respectful way that doesn’t place you in a position where you might fall into the saviour trope.
If a friend is hosting a safe-space community event you can purchase tickets to an event and offer it back to them for a giveaway. You can educate your problematic friends or family members so that we aren’t constantly defending ourselves.
5. Educate yourself.
This should be the first step, but if you’re reading this then you’re probably well on your way. I can’t speak for everyone but having to explain my existence and the obstacles I encounter is exhausting and sometimes triggering.
When you start educating yourself on the experiences of marginalized peoples make sure you read content from people within those communities.
Again, nobody can tell our stories like we can, hear it from us first and then pull from other perspectives.
This list is short but I’m sure there are plenty of other helpful tips that can be added. Leave a comment and check out AMPLIFIED
