Sr. Accessibility Consultant & Advocate for Workplace Wellbeing | Empowering Queer, Neurodiverse & Disabled Professionals | #A11yWithAngela
Hot take: I am NOT an ally. 💥 The word "ally" has become a label that sets the bar too low. Being supportive, open-minded, and actively engaged in allyship should be the norm, not the exception. You either make a conscious choice every day to stand for inclusivity, or you don’t. Allyship is a fundamental part of who we are, not a special title we earn. In essence, the qualities of an ally embody basic human traits, integral to how we interact with the world and each other. Are YOU ready to stand in solidarity with me as a non-ally (but ONLY if you can safely do so)? 👉🏼 Here's how you can shake things up: Ditch the Label, Embrace the Action: Forget calling yourself an ally. Show up, speak out, and act. Actions prove commitment, not titles. Challenge the Norm, Not Just the Obvious: Go beyond the easy fights. Tackle the subtle biases and norms that keep injustice alive. Live the Cause, Don't Just “Like” It: Don't just support in words or online likes. Make your daily life a reflection of the change you want to see. This post is dedicated to my Wrecking Crew, with all of my gratitude for all that you are. 🫶🏼 [Image: Angela in stark black and white, NOT being an ally.] ✊🏼💕 #Advocacy #Action #Inclusion #Revolution —— #A11yWithAngela 👈🏼 Are you following this? Ring my bell! 🌈
I don't call myself an ally. Because, as you say, anyone can say that. I AM an aspiring ally.
As a person who happens to fit into several groups that get allies, I really break them into ambivalent, supporters, and advocates. Supporters will join you in a march, but don't speak up when the victims aren't present. Call them sunny day allies. Advocates are the only ones helping by speaking up, changing laws, etc.
Absolutely love what you said!
Co-signing this from the heart. Wrack down walls in hearts and minds and just live inclusively!
This part “Being supportive, open-minded, and actively engaged in allyship should be the norm, not the exception.”
Yes!!! You have to live the change, and fully be the change you wish to make happen in this world. A simple “like” isn’t going to change unjust systems because it took a lot more than that to put them in place.
You are a super ally!!! Where’s the cape to go with that awesome hair?!
THIS THIS THIS AND THIS!
So agree with this. “Embrace the action”. There are so many things we can speak out about. I was traveling out of town and politely told the waitress the menu had extremely poor color contrast. Her reply was “I think so too but manager said he liked the design “. I asked to see the manager. Let’s have the conversation and educate. Btw. The menu was so bad even using zoom and camera on my phone it was difficult to see. After I had the conversation he understood.
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7moWhile conceptually I get this, I find it painful to read. My original engagement was a gay man; allyship was key to use moving forward. As I’ve recognized my disabilities, the term has been a comfort. I respect wanting to stress the depth of engagement. But, for me, it moves from supporting me to disenfranchising me from the work that non-group are doing. Not my most elegant words but heartfelt.