Subject Guides: Anti-Racism Resources: What is Allyship?

What is an Ally?

An ally is "someone who supports a group other than one’s own (in terms of multiple identities such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc.). An ally acknowledges oppression and actively commits to reducing their own complicity, investing in strengthening their own knowledge and awareness of oppression" (ICS2, n.d.).

Reference

ICS2. (n.d.). Toolkit: 80 Diversity and inclusion definitions you should know. https://www.isc2.org/-/media/ISC2/DEI/ISC2-Toolkit-DEI-Definitions.ashx

Faculty director of Villanova School of Business’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Aronté Bennett, PhD, Associate Chair, Marketing & Business Law, shares why allyship matters, how our identities inform it and how to take actionable steps for effective allyship in the workplace.

Pennsylvania Conference for Women. (2020, November 20). Allyship at work [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/8Y_2YpU2-vk

Websites

The Anti-Oppression Network
The Anti-Oppression Network is a coalition of individuals, grassroots groups, and community organizations dedicated to grounding our work towards liberation in the principles of decolonization, anti-oppression and intersectionality.
Centering Indigenous Voices: Guide Towards Allyship in Indigenous Research
Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial JusticeMoving from Actor → Ally → Accomplice
This resource has been developed to support White people to act for racial justice. It draws from ideas and resources developed mostly by Black, Brown and People of Color, and has been edited by Black, Brown, and People of Color.
What Is Allyship? Your Questions Answered
In our work to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within organizations and communities, we’ve found many leaders asking us, “How can I serve as an ally for these important causes?” And more fundamentally, “What is allyship?”
Working Definition of Allyship: The Handout
The Anti-Oppression Network is a coalition of individuals, grassroots groups, and community organizations dedicated to grounding our work towards liberation in the principles of decolonization, anti-oppression and intersectionality.

Books

Allies and Advocates by Amber Cabral
Anti-Racist Ally by Sophie Williams
Beyond Diversity by Rohit Bhargava; Jennifer Brown
Decolonizing Equity by Billie Allan (Editor); Rhonda Hackett (Editor); OmiSoore Dryden (Foreword by)
Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
An approachable guide to being a thoughtful, informed ally to disabled people, with actionable steps for what to say and do (and whatnotto do) andhow you can help make the world a more inclusive place .