Time to Turn the Idea of Allyship on its Head?
Simon Erskine Locke, Founder & CEO of CommunicationsMatchTM
The idea that white or straight people should be allies for African Americans, people of color, or the LGBTQ+ community, is well-meaning and valuable, but it is not without issues.
One of the problems with allyship is the risk of a paternalistic mindset and perpetuating an all too real imbalance of power. When allies see their role as helping “others”, rather than peers, professionals or colleagues, they may not be creating the desired inclusive environment in which all can feel as though they belong.
This Black History Month I believe it is time to consider turning the idea of allyship on its head.
I am not advocating that allies who are committed to supporting professionals from different backgrounds, stop what they are doing. Far from it. It is invaluable for diverse leaders and employees in our industry to have people to go to for counsel and support.
Just listen to the The Museum of Public Relations & Diversity Action Alliance’s Jan 27th webinar on “Learning From Black PR History: The Imperative of Belonging,” if you want to know more about what it feels like to be African American in our industry. I encourage you to invest the time to listen to the whole event or, if you only have a few minutes, go to the end and listen to Nyree Wright of TV One Networks.
In the pursuit of sorely needed change and the creation of a more equitable industry, I believe it is my responsibility as a communications leader to earn the allyship of my African American colleagues in the industry, as well as other members of diverse communities. In short, I want them to be my allies. You should too.
Why? Because by investing in building relationships and earning the respect of diverse professionals, we are all more likely to reap the promised benefits of diversity in the industry. And, let me be clear, I hope to have allies I can count on when I am in need.
Bonds are forged when relationships are authentic, genuine, and based on respect – all themes that came up in The PR Museum & Diversity Action Alliance event. The work that must be done to build them with colleagues and friends from diverse backgrounds is key to making them strong. We can then have honest conversations and establish deeper connections that are essential if we are to move forward - together.
Being an ally should require work – but the onus should not just be on diverse professionals. For those in positions of power, the ability to call yourself an ally with little to no effort undermines the value and importance of the concept.
If the idea of allyship is turned around, we change the dynamics of relationships. I become responsible for gaining the trust of my diverse peers, day-in, and day-out, through a commitment to opportunity, understanding, and truly sustainable change.
It’s a high bar.
But there’s a real opportunity to make game-changing progress and build stronger businesses if we think differently and are willing to do the work we need to do.
About the Author: Simon Erskine Locke is founder & CEO of communications agency and professional search and services platform, CommunicationsMatch™, and a regular contributor to CommPRO.biz. CommunicationsMatch’s technology helps clients search, shortlist and hire agencies and professionals by industry and communications expertise, location, size, diversity and designations. CommunicationsMatch powers PRSA’s Find a Firm search tools, and developed the industry’s first integrated agency search and RFP tools, Agency Select™, with RFP Associates.
