Do you really want to be an ally?

Ally
verb/əˈlī/

1. combine or unite a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit.”he allied his racing experience with his father’s business acumen”

We all have a sphere of influence. Each of us needs to find our own sources of courage so that we can begin to speak. There are many problems to address, and we cannot avoid them indefinitely. We cannot continue to be silent. We must begin to speak, knowing that words alone are insufficient. But I have seen that meaningful dialogue can lead to effective action. Change is possible.

Beverly Daniel Tatum

This is the time.

It is understandable if you are overcome by all the movements in the world right now.

#BLM Killing black people is wrong.
#MeToo Sexual violence against women is wrong.

Those are my passions and I am sure you have more. I also care about indigenous voices; trans rights; and acknowledging class inequality.

We talk constantly about what we can do. Who can help us reshape the organisation? Why aren’t we attracting diverse candiates?

The reality is summed up in one movie cliche…

My only challenge to that is that it is not that “He will come” but that they will come.

The truth is that if you put women (or minorities) in leadership roles then people who see them as role models will come to work for or with them.

The only reason this is not happening is because the people in power who can promote us, won’t.

They ask more from us than others when it comes to putting us in those roles.
They want us to jump through hoops that they would be ashamed to ask majorities to jump through.
They don’t actually want us in power.

If you really want to be an ally then take your power and give it to others. It does not deplete you. It simply shows you prowess and innate security.