NYE Resolution | How To Be A Better Ally All Year Long
We can agree the world is basically a dumpster fire right now. The word 'ally' is getting thrown around a lot these days, but let’s not get bogged down with the definition. Basically, an ally is someone who supports and uplifts the voices of those more marginalized. With everything goin' on in the world right now, being an ally is more important than ever. Here's a few simple steps to make our world a better place.
Be Kind
There is one thing all of us can do to make this world a better place instantly. It’s not complicated. All you gotta do is extend some kindness to the people around you. Look - I'll be the first to admit that I can be a raging b*tch sometimes and I'm workin' on that. But making kindness a priority will have a huge ripple effect. Who knows, you might just change the world.
Be Silent
Picture this scenario: you're talking to someone. Mid-sentence you can see them draw a breath and in that instant, you realize that person isn’t even listening to what you are saying. Instead, they are just waiting (sometimes not even that) so they can speak. Sound familiar? Don’t be that a**hole. Sometimes all a person needs is a little silence so they can say their piece. Maybe they need to vent, or they wanna celebrate a win. Be prepared to give them that silence. Realize that sometimes the conversation just isn’t about you.
Be Willing to Speak Out
If you see something f*cked up, say something! How many times have you been in a situation where someone was bullied/harassed/misgendered/talked over and we stayed silent? Did you just giggle nervously while making a swift exit to avoid being harassed too? Speak out even if you are afraid. And offer help if it is needed.
Be Less Afraid to Reach Out
The world is rife with oppression. With so much injustice, being an ally can feel like difficult, unending work. The mere thought of reaching out might paralyze you with anxiety. What if you say or do the wrong thing? Your discomfort is a small price to pay if it means you’ll ease the discomfort of even one less-privileged or less-protected person.
Be Willing to Accept Your Mistakes
We all make mistakes, and we all have our own implicit biases. The thing about bias is that most of the time, we aren’t even aware we have them until we say something so ignorant or off-color it makes our toes curl (in a bad way). Making mistakes sucks, but for anything to change, we need to accept when we goof up. Taking accountability and staying educated is a crucial part of being an ally. The next time you f*ck up, own up to your mistake, say you're sorry and ask how you can help make it better. It's the only way to learn.
