Vows as an Ally
One of the things that I have been most grateful for growing up has been my access to social media and people’s willingness to use it to teach. I will never forget watching the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement through the Ferguson Protests and taking that information to discussions with 13 year olds who only had half the story. When our televisions were saying one thing about protestors, my phone with access to the unfiltered ground zero was saying another.
I began to understand that though I face discrimination as a woman of color, and there is an intersection of my experience with those of the black community, there are issues unique to them.
However grateful I am, I would also like to state that I don’t believe it is the responsibility of every black person to teach the ignorant. Though it is appreciated for those who want to learn, your experience is yours to tell under your own circumstances and will.
From everything I have learned since witnessing the Ferguson Protests and everything I am willing to learn in the future, these are the promises I am making to be the best ally I can be. This is not in an effort to be celebrated, but in an effort to be held accountable and in the hope that other non-black people make the same promises.
Recognize all the ways I’m privileged
-I am cisgender Latina woman with white skin. Regardless of other discriminations I face as an immigrant or a woman, I will never be targeted the same way black men and women are nor will I be erased like black trans women have been. My white skin and my ethnicity does not trigger the same implicit biases as black skin does. Meaning, police are less likely to be violent towards me, I will face less microaggressions, there are more open doors for me, companies cater to my needs, amongst countless other things. Furthermore, as a student journalist I need to recognize that CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was not arrested on live television because of his Spanish last name or hispanic heritage. Jimenez was arrested because he’s black.
Use those privileges to amplify your voices
- Growing up, I spoke my mind about current and political issues which has given me the condescending label of “social justice warrior”. I was never given the “angry black woman” stereotype, instead I was given the “feisty firecracker” Latina stereotype. Though both titles are harmful, ignorant people found me more difficult to dismiss. People are more likely to listen to those they see similarities with and if they choose to code me as white, I promise to use it in a way to infiltrate their bigotted conversations to advocate for you.
Speak out but never over
- My voice should be a tool to amplify what you are saying. I never want to use it to speak on your behalf and muddle the original message. Though I understand my voice has power, it can also cause harm. An uneducated voice will create misconstrued messages that will not protect you. Your experience and what you have to say comes first and foremost.
Defend you, even when you are not present
- I have seen how the Black Lives Matter movement can turn to a performance on social media. One way is when people who say they support the movement post colorful instagram stories, but refuse to call out the racism in their daily lives. If we do not hold our friends and family accountable for their casual racism, the system will not change. A public post does not counteract staying silent in daily life. I promise I will not be passive in moments when you are not in the room and hold them responsible.
Recognize when I need to listen and learn
-Regardless of how educated I feel like I am, I recognize that there is always more to learn. Racism is a multilevel complex issue that takes many faces, though I may understand certain aspects of it, its systematic placement in everyday life requires constant education. I need to understand the difference between moments of speaking out, and moments of listening.
Pledging for the rest of my life
-I will not actively do these actions when there is a topic trending or when it is the number one thing spoken about in the news.Instead, I promise that these are actions I will take every day of my life regardless of current news. I recognize that this goes beyond the actions of the past week and will do my best to uphold these statements for the rest of my life.