I t’s cliche, but there’s something to be said about strength in numbers. Another body added to the flanks of a movement has always been welcomed. So why am I and others harboring feelings of apprehension and resentment about well-intentioned white people and the concept of being an ally?
Well, let’s take a beat and remember bell hooks’ definition of the word. hooks contends that the word connotes certain controversy and is, in truth, unnecessary. “If someone is standing on their own beliefs and their beliefs are anti-patriarchal, anti-sexist, (et cetera),” she said, “then they are not required to be anybody’s ally.” Moreover, she continues, if there is such a person, they deserve a place standing on the front lines in solidarity.
The civil rights movement of the 1960s required the joint efforts of a well-assembled and organized Black America and significant numbers of young, white supporters. Something similar can be said about the pro-abortion rights movement and male bodies also standing in solidarity.
These movements, although separate in goal and reach, would have been less likely to progress if not for privileged and like-minded allies.
Allies, though, are folks who understand their place within a movement. Allies do not position themselves to become the face of their movement. Allies are slow to interrupt, police, or explain away the grievances of the oppressed.
What most bothers me is when the moniker of “ally” becomes a prize for careless organizing. Or when the press shows more favoritism to allies than to the members of the affected communities.
On Friday, dozens of well-intentioned white people occupied Franklin Street for a half hour. For a movement that deals with race, sex and class, this showing displayed a great deal of whitewashing and self-interest.
The rally and subsequent marching was called to show solidarity with the recent conditions in Ferguson, Mo. For those unaware of what is happening in Ferguson, Mo., look it up. Police militarization and brutality are becoming the civil rights issues of our generation. If you’re unconvinced, look it up!
I was perturbed by Friday’s events and vocalized these concerns to the crowd that evening. If I had not, those “allies” would have continued to carelessly represent the movement in Ferguson. And when mostly-white, anonymous groups commit acts of vandalism in the name of black victims, as a Chapel Hill anarchist group did on Aug. 14, that is not solidarity. If actions like these are to continue, well-intentioned allies could delegitimize the movement in its entirety.
