Being an Ally: World Book Day 2023

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Allies is an incredible collection of essays focusing on allyship, written by YA authors. The stories these authors share are personal and varied, just like their experiences: some essays are about the allyship they extended towards other people, some were about how they received help and support from other people and what it meant for them. Some, and I personally think those were the most important, were about failing as an ally. There is a big emphasis on the fact that everyone will make mistakes even if they mean well and I believe it’s a crucial fact that needs to be talked about, because the fear of failing often stops people from doing the right thing. The essays show the ways some authors failed, but then improved, how they managed to learn and move on from missteps.

Allies is a group of essays that provide insight on how to be... well you guessed it, an ally. An ally for marginalized groups who face oppression, intentionally or not. There are 16 essays that were created by 17 people, the vast majority being YA authors. There was also an author who is a doctor, some are bloggers, and then there was an artist (one of my favorite entries), but yeah, all have ties to YA material. It’s Pronounced Metrosexual’s Comprehensive List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions (the most comprehensive list!) Many trainings and articles about microaggressions focus on how you can intervene in the moment, which is a crucial part of allyship. But in addition to intervening, there are other important ways to support people who experience microaggressions, systemic inequities and other barriers to opportunity — and one way is through microafffirmations. a good, diverse anthology that touches on a lot of topics and starts a lot of important conversations. i think it will be most helpful for people just getting into activism and allyship.

A LGBTQ+ person should always have control over who they come out to and how they do it. Do not assume that because someone is out to you, they are out to everybody. You should never out a person to others.

A Bus, a Poster, and a Mirror" by Brendan Kiely- An interesting take on bullying from someone who used to be a bully. For me, being an ally is one the best parts of my job, not because I’m the head of diversity and inclusion, but because I believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work. Do not take credit for the labor of those who are marginalized and did the work before you stepped into the picture News Blog Communities Last month marked the launch of lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall’s Come Out For LGBT campaign, which calls on individuals from all walks of life to be active allies to the LGBT community.

The big question though is: has this awareness translated into action in our workplaces? I think there are some signs that it has, but we must keep the momentum going. Being an ‘ally’ is an important part of this. What makes a good ally? Additionally I love that this book offers so many rescources at the end. So after finishing the book, you can dive deeper into these issues and have places, that you know are legit and do actually good for the communities. In reality, most of us naturally know the right way to react when we step on someone’s toes, and we can use that to help us learn how to react when we commit microaggressions. Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks. Home > Why Didn't Anyone Else Say Anything?" by Naomi and Natalie Evans- I really liked this essay and the discussion that was had about why do people never say anything when they witness racist behavior.

I’m a member of the Women’s CLUB of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit leadership incubator for women. Many of our events are open to guests, who come to hear the speakers and participate in our workshops. Most guests are women, so it stood out when a male guest started attending our events. I asked one of my friends who he was, and she told me he was a former colleague who wanted to better understand the challenges women face in the workplace. He spent many evenings at our events, listening and absorbing information about the issues we discussed so he could be a better ally. You may not be aware of them. So, take some time to understand what they are and why they are so hurtful and harmful. To recap: Being an ally doesn’t necessarily mean you fully understand what it feels like to be oppressed. It means you’re taking on the struggle as your own.So, getting educated, asking those difficult questions when you don't know the answer and going outside of your comfort zone are equally as important. A great ally is one who is informed and is continually updating their knowledge. From raw stories of racism and invisible disability to powerful moments of passing the mic, these authors share their truths. They invite you to think about your own experiences and choices and how to be a better ally.