Existing systems too often cause inequality and marginalise communities.
2020 has highlighted to us that the challenges and opportunities
we each encounter, are unique.
I’m Shani Dhanda, and as a disability specialist, activist and entrepreneur
I help organisations break barriers and integrate inclusion into their business.
I was born with a rare genetic condition and have a short stature
which means I live in a world that just isn’t designed for me.
But the condition I was born with doesn’t disable me - the barriers and bias I face, do.
Negative attitudes and inaccessible design are major barriers for many
disabled people to be connected with others, to be confident
and to live independently. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In order to address and change the systemic problems that cause oppression,
you need a lot of people who work together acting on each other's behalf.
This is what we call allies, but what does it really mean? And how can you be one?
Allies can be an important bridge between communities, by empathising with the
struggles of one minority and expressing the need for change to the majority.
Nothing can truly be accomplished in any form of society until the need for change
is acknowledged by the majority.
Just as society will not change overnight, neither will you.
Here are some important things to consider as you learn, grow, and step into the role of an ally.
But first let’s get this out of the way... an ally is not a friend.
Just like how being not-racist is very different from being actively anti-racist.
Being an ally doesn’t necessarily mean you'll fully understand what it feels like
to be oppressed. It means you’re taking on the struggle as your own.
You don’t have to have all the answers in order for your voice to make a difference.
An authentic intention to listen and learn will be your guide.
And understand that while you too feel the pain, the conversation isn’t about you and
you'll never know how it feels to be the oppressed group that you are supporting.
But please, don’t ask minority groups to educate you -
your education isn't someone else’s burden.
So take it upon yourself to use the tools around you to learn and answer your questions.
How can you do it? Well, the simple things are the most effective,
like diversifying your social media feed, watching different programmes
and listening to podcasts and reading diverse books.
Being an ally is really, really hard work. There is so much to unlearn and learn -
mistakes are expected.
Don’t be afraid to get things wrong. If it’s a choice between not speaking up at all
or speaking out and getting it wrong, get it wrong.
Learn from it, and share what you’ve learnt and do better next time.
You’ll need to own your actions and be proactive in your education
every single day.
As an example, I´ve been actively not using the word ‘guys’
when speaking to a group of people or my friends.
It's such a gendered term and I'm working to be a better ally for
transgender and non-binary people.
As it’s a word that has been part of my vocabulary my entire life
there are occasions where I forget and I do use the word.
None of us are perfect and I am continually learning too.
Really raise your voice about the things that don’t feel right.
Call out your friends, your family and your colleagues when they say something prejudiced.
Don’t be scared about what your friends or family would think, because you are speaking out.
And don’t make excuses that people are too old or too young to learn
because we all have the capacity to change and learn.
Allies are really powerful voices alongside oppressed ones, so use your voice and your platforms
to reach people, amplify the work of the community you’re an ally for, and share what you have learned.
Regardless of how large or small your circle is, understand that your voice can travel
to places that others simply can’t and that’s a really good example of how you can transfer the benefits
of your privilege to those who lack it.
So, what now? What can you do to help change the world and make it more inclusive?
Well, every decision that we make can raise or lower barriers to participation in society.
It’s our collective responsibility to remove these barriers and it's in our own self-interest to be an ally to
people from diverse and oppressed groups because ultimately, our own struggles are tied to everyone else's.
Become an ally today, because you have the power to change the way that people experience the world
by simply standing alongside each other.
There are so many ways that you can commit to change and show your allyship.
What action will you take?