Ever since the murder of George Floyd, allyship has been a topic of conversation especially for those of us who are racialized as white (defined in the noted webinar series). I planned on sharing the three-part “Dear White Women” series hosted by Erin Corine Johnson as a resource. Yet, after attending, I’m compelled to tell you about some key moments in this intro.
Allyship spectrum - When describing the different steps, I found myself identifying when I was at the “Apathy,” “Awareness,” and “Attention” phases, working to move beyond “Allyship.” Erin describes our current culture as a house on fire, and it isn’t until the “Abolition” stage when we abolish the existing structure, buy a new plot of land, and build an entirely new structure that the work is done.
White women’s power - I never completely understood what this meant until listening to Erin’s series. White women are the only group who hold places at two tables. We sit with white men, that close to power, while we also are in the seat of power at a table of women. With great power comes great responsibility, and when we’re willing to stand up for oppressed people, the path forward is fuller.
We can’t offer others something we don’t give ourselves. We must all figure out our own healing journey and give ourselves compassion and grace for what we find. Then, we can offer compassion and grace to other communities.
Don’t forget to shift your spend, using Goods Unite Us among other tools, as Erin Gallagher notes.
You can be an ally to many, an advocate to few, and active for one cause or subset of community.
Resources
Through heartbreaking - and, at times, heartwarming - stories, Bryan Stevenson details his work to free those wrongly accused, convicted, and condemned in prisons across the country. As the attorney who worked to free Anthony Ray Hinton (last month’s recommendation), Bryan ends his book by saying “The work continues.” So, here we are.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
Responsible Marketing by Lola Bakare, one of the panelists in the Dear White Women series
Ways to Engage
The Election Response Center has organized virtual and in-person events aimed at mobilizing communities for civic engagement. These events are supported by organizations like MoveOn Civic Action and Public Citizen. They focus on fostering community bonds and building grassroots support for progressive, social causes.
Dec 14th: Worth Fighting For community gathering in Blue Springs, MO
Dec 15th: Worth Fighting For community gathering at the Johnson County Public Library
Many dates: Worth Fighting For virtual and community gatherings
Pass this newsletter along to 3 people, letting them know why you’re continuing the work.
Quote of the Month
Joquina Reed, a panelist in sessions one and three of Dear White Women, is more than worth the price of admission!
When Black, trans, femme women are safe and thriving, everybody wins, and humanity is restored.
