Allyship
We are living in a very different time here in Canada in 2021. Who I was last year is completely different than who I am today, and perhaps even by the time your read this. As I write, I am reminded of many events through the news and social media outlets. Events that even if you wanted to turn a blind eye to – you couldn't. Nor should you. I have felt dismayed, disheartened, disappointed, outraged, helpless, sad, angry, and a general – what is wrong with the world. But, I continuously have to check in with myself to remind myself that I need to be optimistic. These events are not everything and everyone and everywhere. But, they are existing, palpable, and they hurt. Events started last year with the late and tragic passing of Mr. George Floyd. As the year evolved, we have witnessed the War in Palestine and the most recent tragic discoveries within the Residential 'School' system. My heart aches for these children, their families, and those who have endured the unjust treatment of Assimilation and Colonization by the Canadian Government.
I have had to spend some time reflecting on who I am as a person. When I was younger, I wished my name was Valerie, from Tiffani Thiessen's character on Beverly Hills 90210. Eventually, I learned how to draw strengths from my cultural heritage, even though I was embarrassed when I was younger. I am a First Generation Canadian. Born to Immigrant Parents who grew up in a Colonized land. Many Guyanese left their homeland once Guyana gained independence from British Rule. You will often hear them say that the Country went downhill as there was more crime and less opportunity. I was raised by parents searching for a better life for their children under the Canadian Government system.I recognize and appreciate the story of my parents. I value the life they have provided me in Canada. I had (and still have) access to clean water, plumbing, electricity, and a stable home. We had access to transportation, grocery stores, washing machines, and libraries. I took the first few levels of swimming at the local community center. We went on field trips to many places like Black Creek Pioneer Village and Boyd Conservation. I went to Quebec City for my grade eight graduation trip and watched Leonardo and Claire in Romeo and Juliet in the Greyhound bus on the way home.
I grew up in Thornhill, which was diverse but predominantly Italian and Jewish. I had friends of varying backgrounds, and we never saw each other as different. Back then, people knew how to pronounce my name. I did not have to teach people how to phonetically pronounce it or put it on any intro pages because in those times were face-to-face. We didn't have social media, and we used to record music from the radio or television onto cassettes and VHS tapes. It was a time that everyone was poor lol, we all took the bus, and in fact, we enjoyed it!! It was also a time that no one had a cell phone. I had a pager, and we used to use one of the two payphones located in the front of the school. My first cellphone, the Nokia, was indestructible. The cool thing to do was switch out the back cover and keypad to light up colours. Mine was purple. I grew up in the Canadian School System. I went to public school. We learned about Louis Riel as my grade six project was on his Rebellion. That was back in the 90s. It wasn't until last year (2020) when my group chose to do our Diversity and Cultural Competence project on the Residential School System, that I really learned about Louis Riel. Did you know, Indigenous children were taken to see him being hung. The school leaders made sure the children understood what would happen to them by hanging their only hero. Indigenous Heroes did not win back then.
I have had to recognize who I am as a person. I have learned that while I was using the Greyhound bus to come back from Quebec City, others were using it to flee or as their primary transportation. Most recently, Greyhound Bus had decided to close most of their Canadian bus routes permanently. They had paused their services over this past year because of the pandemic. The bus route was the link for rural and Indigenous communities. Those buses provided reasonably priced access to education, work, health care, and even their loved ones out in the major city. Some used those buses to escape their circumstances. The Greyhound Bus route was their main transportation and essentially their lifeline. While I was enjoying my night drive home watching Romeo and Juliet, others were in the most desperate positions. It brings tears to my eyes and makes me think of what a fool I was. Many Indigenous women and children would use those bus routes and would often resort to hitchhiking along the highways. Predators know where to find or pick up people – the Highway of Tears, where most missing people have been Indigenous women. There have been huge political conversations regarding Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Kids. There has also been a lot of advocacy to keep the bus routes open or provide acceptable coverage. Yet, there has been no call to action.
I actively think about these things, and I make sure to pay attention. I am consistently reflecting, learning, unlearning, and relearning daily. I also recognize that I hold privilege within my communities, and I strive to use my education and awareness to stand in solidarity with marginalized groups. We all fit under different hats and social identities. I may not be the dominant social group in society, but I do have an advantage based on certain identities. For example, I have an education. It can be as simple as that as some do not have one, or had the support to have one, or had the time, mental capability, or money to get one.
I have realized that I need to use the little privilege I have to be an active Ally. Authentic allyship requires one to feel uncomfortable with what's going on and sitting with it. It is okay to feel empathy, grief or outrage while recognizing that it is not about you. It also requires educating yourself, examining your own privilege to help others, taking risks, holding yourself and others accountable, commit to anti-racist or oppressive work, and taking real action.
The Allyship continuum has four sections: apathetic, aware, active, and advocate. Apathetic has no understanding of the issues. Aware knows the basic concept and not acting on behalf of the self or others. Active is well-informed and seeks diversity when asked or prompted. Finally, an advocate is committed and routinely and proactively championing inclusion. Each of us has it within us to choose where we wish to stand on the Continuum. It does not mean that you are a bad person if you do not advocate for every cause because that can come with its own hardship. We can choose to find compassion and be passionate about certain causes, which comes from an awareness of ourselves and understanding our own privilege.
We have it within ourselves to be an active ally and not just an optical or surface-level ally. It asks for us to be accountable and responsible within our communities and in society. It is okay to interrupt or minimize other's behaviours by being the voice for those who need it. We can use our own reflection and education to teach others who may not know. And that is okay because we cannot expect everyone to know or understand Privilege, Oppression, and Power. But we can certainly try to use our voices to proactively and peacefully teach others. We do not need to have all of the answers. Still, we can work towards allyship by being open and actively listening, by reflecting on oppression and how it affects certain groups, and by amplifying the voices of those without our privilege. We must understand that each person will experience oppression in their unique way, and we cannot assume everyone feels the same or that we can specifically relate.
I may not be completely there now, but I pledge to practice Active Allyship in any way possible, including being supportive, standing in solidarity, and advocating by interrupting oppression while being an active member in my community.
The following chart explains the characteristics of an Ally under three domains of cultural competency.
