An ally is any person who uses their cultural advantages, their privilege, to support a group or individual that may not benefit from the same cultural edge.
With our political climate as inflamed as it is, allies have become an asset to the continued discussion of — to name a few — the rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ community.
It is easy to complain about the tendency of those in privileged positions to systematically disenfranchise the voices of those who sit outside of their normative, especially when they seek to benefit from those same people. However, simply identifying a problem, while important, is very different from discussing solutions to that problem. That is where allies come in.
Allies play a key role in the process of creating spaces for, and empowering the voices of, those in less privileged positions. When, on the political stage and otherwise, discus- sion of these groups takes place, there is often a divide between those who are given a microphone to speak and the demographics being spoken about. Allies have the power to bridge that divide.
With the right balance of advocacy and delegation, allies can help in inviting all parties to the discussion. Without proper representation, those in less privileged positions are poised to fight a losing battle. With the aid of allies, though, diminished voices have a shot at being heard.
Despite the obvious necessity, being an ally is not without its risks. Often, when a person becomes an ally to a cause, they make themselves vulnerable as well. By aligning themselves with a group that is under scrutiny, allies are susceptible to what- ever hate or shame may be associated with that population.
One very recent example of this hate sharing originated in Sandpoint at Forrest M. Bird Charter School (FBCS). When a few staff members at the school allied themselves with the LGBTQ community by attempting to start a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), they were met with backlash by a national Christian ministry group titled the Liberty Counsel. By using their public presence, the Liberty Counsel questioned the legality of establishing such a club and sparked a controversy in the Sandpoint community. Without getting into the nitty gritty of the ongoing conflict, the Liberty Counsel has initiated a controversy that has far outgrown its original scope and become a larger attack on the LGBTQ community and its allies.
Actions by the school’s teachers in the interest of inclusion and education have been painted as insidious acts performed in secrecy. The intentions of the FBCS staff have been completely disregarded and they’ve become the target of public disdain simply because of their associa- tion with the LGBTQ community.
In this way, north Idaho operates as a microcosm of a larger national conflict, wherein those with the loudest voices overwhelm the conversation and leave an impression in their wake.
It is frightening to say the least, that allying one’s self to a cause can come with a whole host of complications and challenges, but that fear in no way diminishes the importance of doing so.
Without allies, some of the world’s most important and influential movements never would have made it off the ground. The voices of the oppressed are powerful, but often aren’t invited to speak until an ally can open the door for them.
So, to all allies, regardless of affiliation, thank you. Yours is a noble position, and though it may be a difficult one to maintain, your persistence is necessary and appreciated.
Austin Maas can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @austindmaas