What is an ally? (this info is public commons – please do share!)
Let’s look at the dictionary definition:
al·ly
[v. uh-lahy; n. al-ahy, uh-lahy] Show IPA verb, -lied, -ly·ing, noun, plural -lies.
verb (used with object)
1.
to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to ): Russia allied itself to France.
2.
to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
verb (used without object)
3.
to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
The fact is that many in the industrialized, capitalist, westernized societies are so intrenched with competing they feel everyone is “fair game” or “someone to compete with”. This is a very large reason that communities are so dysfunctional and why being an ally is so important. Anti oppression principles and policy, and their importance to the reality of “disconnect” become quite obvious.
So, becoming an ally to the most marginalized communities is ever so important. This only comes with understanding and with the consent of those marginalized peoples. Many publicly and privately announce they are an alley, but many make assumptions and do little to actually understand. Issues still exist that ally’s need to understand. Privilege for example: where someone with much more cultural capital/privilege take up much more space than the voices of those who should be equally heard.
When community organizing understanding all peoples various abilities and ensuring the event/space is accommodating and that people understand this. Allergies, abilities, ASL, and so on.
Also, in particular to colonization - take special effort to connect with the indigenous local community and involve them from the start and acknowledge the original peoples of the area/region/location.
More to come!
