Download Becoming An Ally

Becoming an Ally
What Is an Ally?
An ally is typically a member of advantaged social groups who uses social power to take a stand
against social injustice directed at targeted groups (White people who speak out against racism, men
who are anti-sexist). An ally works to be an agent of social change rather than an agent of
oppression.
Characteristics of an Ally
 Feels good about own social group membership, is comfortable and proud of own identity
 Takes responsibility for learning about own and targeted group heritage, culture and
experience, and how oppression works in everyday life
 Listens to and respects the perspectives and experiences of targeted group members
 Acknowledges unearned privileges received as a result of advantaged status and works to
eliminate or change privileges into rights that targeted group members also enjoy
 Recognizes that unlearning oppressive beliefs and actions is a life-long process, not a single
event, and welcomes each learning opportunity
 Is willing to take risks, try new behaviors, act in spite of own fear and resistance from other
advantaged group members
 Takes care of self to avoid burn out
 Acts against social injustice because it is in her/his/hir own self-interest to do so (as well as in
the interest of targeted group members)
 Is willing to made mistakes, learn from them and try again
 Is willing to be confronted about own behavior and attitudes and consider change
 Is committed to taking action against social injustice in own sphere of influence
 Understands own growth and response patterns and when she/he/ze is on a learning edge
 Understands the connections among all forms of social injustice
 Believes she/he/ze can make a difference by acting and speaking out against social injustice
 Knows how to cultivate support from other allies
© Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, Second Edition, Routledge, 2007
Ally Action Planning Worksheet
1. What action do you want to take to interrupt or combat oppression?
______________________________________________________________________
2. What resources or materials (people, space, information, etc.), if any, would you need to achieve
your goal?
______________________________________________________________________
3. How can you access those resources?
______________________________________________________________________
4. What behaviors or steps on your part would taking this action entail?
______________________________________________________________________
5. What is a realistic timeline for carrying out the steps involved in this action plan?
______________________________________________________________________
6. What hazards or risks are involved?
______________________________________________________________________
7. Is this action worth taking that risk? (If not, go back to number one, or think through what could be
done to minimize that risk.)
______________________________________________________________________
8. What obstacles might you encounter?
______________________________________________________________________
9. What could you do to reduce or overcome these obstacles?
______________________________________________________________________
10. What supports do you have?
______________________________________________________________________
11. Where could you find more support?
______________________________________________________________________
12. How can you measure/evaluate your success? (How can slow change be differentiated from
failure?)
______________________________________________________________________
Know that you can be engaged in creative action steps on an ongoing and continuous basis and that
you are committing to a life-long process of working for social justice.
© Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, Second Edition, Routledge, 2007