The Role of Allyship in the Workplace
Allyship has been a buzzword for years. But in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, it’s even buzzier. During these times, it’s important to understand the difference between allyship and friendship.
Friendship is all about creating a connection. While some friendships can go very deep, many can successfully stay on the surface. You don’t have to be committed to societal change to be a friend. But, that’s often where allyship begins.
What is allyship?
Not surprisingly, there are many definitions of allyship. For our purposes, we will define it as:
A member of the majority using his/her/their privilege to help improve or better understand the experience of a member of the non-majority.
True allyship is about advocating for someone else in a less advantageous position. It requires recognition and acceptance of the fact that some in society may require more help than others to reach equal footing. It is about acknowledging inequities and elevating equality, which means it requires more action than following a trend on social media or attending a single protest.
Allyship is a big space. Our advice is to start small. It will be important to understand the type of support that is needed before you offer it blindly. To be clear, the examples outlined here will demonstrate how allyship can work within predominantly white professional spaces.
- Accept Your Privilege
It’s natural to feel some guilt around the privilege of being born with your skin color. None of us asked to be born into our families. But, accepting your standing within the system of discrimination is truly the first step in being able to leverage it in service of others. - Educate Yourself
With so much going on in the world, now is not the time to rely on education by the population being actively oppressed. We all have information at our fingertips. Take it upon yourself to learn and then ask informed questions to help you close any remaining gaps in your understanding. - Create Space in Meetings
If you’ve noticed inequity among the voices heard at the table, use your privilege to yield the floor to someone who has been overlooked. Just give them a heads up first. Years ago, I was interrupted in a meeting. A colleague acknowledged it and gave me an opportunity to complete my thought. But, I was still spiraling in my head and I fumbled the pass because I had no idea it was coming! - Advocate Behind Closed Doors
It’s not enough to live in your privilege and denounce wrongdoing, it requires you to leverage your privilege to provide opportunity. It’s not enough to understand disadvantages others face, you have to take action to effect real change — even when no one is watching. - Check Friends and Colleagues
We all know people with antiquated beliefs. But, you can and should use your voice and position, to educate others who are privileged on how they may be benefiting from an inequitable system. You can pair your own awareness with action and amplify the change.
Now, let’s touch upon allyship gone wrong. We are all human and even when intentions are pure, missteps can be made.
- Don’t Compare Pain
Now is not the time to make comparisons. Unless you’re a member of an oppressed group, this moment isn’t about you or moments in your life when you were just as hurt, frustrated, angry, etc. Such behavior is a distraction to the cause and minimizes the reality of Black people. - Don’t Presume to Understand
If you are not a descendant of a group that has experienced systemic discrimination for more than 400 years, you will never fully understand the resulting trauma and its generational impact. But once informed, you can help break the cycle of inequity rather than perpetuate it. - Don’t Expect Every Experience to Be the Same
The term “Black” encompasses many cultures within the diaspora, including African-American, West Indian, African, Afro-Latinx and more. Be sure to gain clarity on the population you’re referring to before coming to their aid. - Don’t Assume Everyone Wants Help
Just as all Black people aren’t the same, everyone isn’t seeking an ally. Before you offer help, get to know the person first. Once you establish a genuine rapport, you’ll know the direction your friendship should take. - Don’t Stop Learning
The work of an ally is never done. Keep learning and growing in your understanding of the current issues. Even as the news cycle moves on, true allies stay focused and committed to making the world a better place for everyone.
While everyone has the capacity to be a friend in the workplace, fewer choose to be an ally. Persistence is key. When your commitment is established over time and proven through an unwavering advocacy for inequities regarding race, gender, sexuality and more, you’ve truly transcended. You’re more than a hashtag hero. You’re an ally.
