How to Be an Ally Right Now

Jun 8

Navigating the news right now amidst pandemic re-openings and protest coverage can make it difficult to answer one central question: what can I do to help right now? And while contributing to a movement looks different for everyone involved, there is something everyone can do. In partnership with the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, we’ve compiled this list of resources, readings, recommendations, and more for concrete ways to be an ally to Black and IPOC-identifying people in your daily life. But after you’ve read this far from comprehensive list, be sure to continue your own research and learning. In order to keep growing as an ally, you need to invest time and energy.

Questions to Ask Yourself

What can you do today to support people of color in your community?
What policies exist in your city to protect against police brutality? How can you advocate for better policies that hold police officers accountable for their actions?
How do you plan on helping the fight to end racial discrimination and systemic oppression? What are some concrete ways you can contribute?
How can you use anti-racist knowledge to change and influence conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and peers?
How can you be actively anti-racist instead of simply not racist?
How can you disseminate information about systemic oppression into channels where it may not otherwise be flowing?

Organizations to Follow and Support on Instagram

THINGS to Watch

THINGS to Read

Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement by Barbara Ransby
“12 Ways to Be an Ally to Black People” by Janee Woods
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
“Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers) About Uprisings” by Courtney Martin
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
“Save the Tears: White Women’s Guide” by Tatiana Mac
“7 Tips for White Allies from a Black Pittsburgher” by Cameron Barnett
“The Difference Between Being ‘Not Racist’ and ‘Anti-Racist’” by Imani Bashir
“How Do We Change America?” by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

WAYS TO ACT

Check out this directory of Black-owned businesses to support
Shop at WeBuyBlack.com to purchase products from Black-owned businesses
Read this list of 75 things to do for racial justice
Register to vote and then get out and vote
Donate to one of these Pittsburgh organizations

Resources for Protesting

If you are protesting right now, check out these resources to help keep you safe:

ACLU’s comprehensive protestor rights or this thread on Twitter
A list of 14 free mental health resources for protestors
Check out this list of ways to be an ally at a protest
Follow these tips (at your own discretion):
- What to wear: nondescript, layered clothing; hide identifying tattoos; goggles; write your emergency contact on your arm; heat-resistant gloves; hair pulled back; athletic shoes; mask
- What to bring: water, snacks, washcloth, cash, extra ID, earplugs, bandages and first aid supplies, protest signs
- Don’t bring: a cell phone without first turning off face/touch ID & going on airplane mode/disabling data, contact lenses, jewelry
- Stay in a group
What you can do from home: use your platform; support Black-owned businesses; put up flyers in your area; sign petitions; donate to national and local organizations; contact officials to demand justice

HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT @ CHATHAM

Check out this list of ways to advocate for change at Chatham, written and compiled by Cultural Studies major, Chenoa Baker ‘22:

Thank you to Dr. Randi Congleton, Skukura Woods, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for helping us compile these resources.

Chloe Bell

Chloe Bell is a writer and digital content specialist based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work appears regularly on Pulse@ChathamU and has also appeared in Vagabond City Lit, Seafoam Magazine, Elephant Journal, and more. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English & Chemistry from Chatham University. When she is not writing, she enjoys yoga, long bike rides, cooking, traveling, and trying new restaurants in the city.