Bursting Through’s Post

This week's Bursting Through Knowledge and Power "Flex Your Allyship Muscles," explores how Allyship might present differently to different people during Pride month and all year round. "Meeting people where they are is also fundamental to the distinctiveness of the Bursting Through community. Different people have different comfort levels, interests, and ways they want to express Allyship." ..... read the whole story here. https://lnkd.in/gUeNY59J

At CultureALL, we believe our histories matter. Iowans have a wide range of mindsets about diversity, each influenced by life experiences and the kind of exposure they've had to other ways of thinking and behaving. When we are trying to build a more inclusive community, respecting each individual's journey helps us appreciate the range of perspectives around us. Read more about how our experiences form our mindsets about diversity. https://ow.ly/IWZi50QFULh

Our final Wednesday Word of the Week for Pride Month is 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. An 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 is someone who helps, supports, or advocates for people who are part of a marginalised or mistreated group when they are not a member of the group themselves. The first written record of the word 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 was in 1380, when it referred to a relative or relation. Since then, the use of it has grown to have several related meanings, all of which stem from the primary definition: a person who helps or supports someone else, first used in this context in 1406. 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 are vital for groups that are discriminated against to help ensure their basic rights and their ability to be happy and successful in society. When people who are not part of the group practise active 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, they add effective and powerful voices in the stand for the equal and fair treatment of people different to themselves. Is there anyone you’re an 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 for? How do you demonstrate 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽? #CopywriteRight #WednesdayWord #ally #allyship #PrideMonth

THOUGHTS ON HARMONY DAY/WEEK. I was called a “Big Monkey” by a 5yr old in the aisle of the Reject Shop on Sunday evening. Irony of ironies, Sunday was at the beginning of Harmony week. 5yrs old or not, I wouldn’t normally let it go. But his mother chided him embarrassingly and quickly walked past avoiding eye contact with me. His father, who I would normally have taken it up with, was carrying what looked to be their newborn, so… I let them go. But it’s been on my mind as you can tell. Who’s teaching this child, that my black humanity was to be defined in such grown up racist terms? Obviously the dehumanising meaning behind the term is lost on a 5yr old, but the hatful associating of human as animal, is clearly being introduced into his thinking and social interactions with blackness. The mouth of babes speak the reality of the worlds in which they are being raised and the cultures that raise them. At the heart of Harmony Week being ineffective in Australia, is the fact that the name (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) was changed to “Harmony Day” in order to avoid a clear understanding of and uncomfortable conversations about, the true purpose behind the institution of the week/day. How do we find harmony in the vacuum of ignorance that we’ve created? Such ignorance is found in that Australian approach to addressing the problem of racism, by focusing predominantly on the overt behaviors and manifestations of racism and ignoring the systemic structures that are hardwired into our Australian world and its way of defining itself. The unsaid systemic default that being Australian, is being white anglo/celtic. Maybe this lies at the heart of Australia’s refusal to incorporate Aboriginality into what it means to be Australian and assume a grounded Australian identity. Harmony week as currently practiced, remains a celebration of Australian racial denialism masked as multiculturalism. Coming to terms with who we really are, during week’s such as this, might be a good place to start…

Hot take: I am NOT an ally. 💥 The word "ally" has become a label that sets the bar too low. Being supportive, open-minded, and actively engaged in allyship should be the norm, not the exception. You either make a conscious choice every day to stand for inclusivity, or you don’t. Allyship is a fundamental part of who we are, not a special title we earn. In essence, the qualities of an ally embody basic human traits, integral to how we interact with the world and each other. Are YOU ready to stand in solidarity with me as a non-ally (but ONLY if you can safely do so)? 👉🏼 Here's how you can shake things up: Ditch the Label, Embrace the Action: Forget calling yourself an ally. Show up, speak out, and act. Actions prove commitment, not titles. Challenge the Norm, Not Just the Obvious: Go beyond the easy fights. Tackle the subtle biases and norms that keep injustice alive. Live the Cause, Don't Just “Like” It: Don't just support in words or online likes. Make your daily life a reflection of the change you want to see. This post is dedicated to my Wrecking Crew, with all of my gratitude for all that you are. 🫶🏼 [Image: Angela in stark black and white, NOT being an ally.] ✊🏼💕 #Advocacy #Action #Inclusion #Revolution —— #A11yWithAngela 👈🏼 Are you following this? Ring my bell! 🌈

Hey community Let’s Connect! List 5 Points on how you … 1. Celebrates Differences 2. Experience Equality and Acceptance 3. Broaden yours/others Perspectives 4. Encourage Empathy 5. Foster Personal Growth https://lnkd.in/gWb4tyEN

This latest article is more of a prayer, a hope, and a guide for aid organisations to fully embed all of the preconditions they need to proudly say that they are fully invested and able to implement diverse SOGIESC inclusion in their organisations. Of course, things don't always work in a linear fashion, and there are people inside organisations that do individual projects that are inclusive of individuals and specific communities, but that doesn't make an inclusive organisation. Many steps take energy, resources, expertise, and years of hard work. But what a great time to focus on what you can do as an aid organisation than Pride Month.

Yesterday I introduced International Allyship Day and a discussion on what allyship means, sharing five common questions I get asked on the topic. Today I wanted to share five more! 6️⃣ Where do allies go wrong? Common mistakes include performative allyship, speaking over marginalised voices, and reacting defensively to feedback. Avoid expecting to be taught, comparing struggles, assuming you know best, taking credit for others' work, or assuming all members of a community feel oppressed. 7️⃣ Is allyship the end goal? No, allyship is a step in a broader journey towards becoming transformational agents of change. Beyond allyship, the goal is to enact systemic change and ensure long-term equality and justice. 8️⃣ How do I know if someone wants my allyship? To know if someone wants your allyship, listen actively to their experiences and needs, ask them directly how you can support them, and respect their boundaries and autonomy in the process. 9️⃣ How can allies support marginalised groups without overshadowing their voices or experiences? Support marginalised groups by giving them space to speak, taking on supportive roles without seeking the spotlight, amplifying their messages, and working collaboratively. 🔟 Can allyship be practised across multiple forms of marginalisation simultaneously, and how? Yes, it involves understanding the interconnected nature of different oppressions, advocating for inclusive policies, educating oneself broadly, and implementing actions that benefit multiple groups simultaneously. Resources for Further Learning - https://lnkd.in/ejRu5GEM - White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo - Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad - The Diversity Gap Podcast By addressing these challenging questions, allies can deepen their understanding and effectiveness in supporting marginalised communities. 💬 Call to Action: Comment below on your top learnings about allyship! Let's continue the conversation and learn from each other's experiences. #AllyshipInAction #InternationalAllyshipDay Jennifer Brown Kim Graham Lee •Jennifer Kahnweiler Ph.D. CSP Julie Kratz Gabrielle Claiborne Meg Warren, Ph.D. Dr. Nika White, Jeffery Tobias Halter, Brad Johnson David Smith

Hey community Let’s Connect! List 5 Points on how you … 1. Celebrates Differences 2. Experience Equality and Acceptance 3. Broaden yours/others Perspectives 4. Encourage Empathy 5. Foster Personal Growth https://lnkd.in/gWb4tyEN