What Twitter Spaces has taught me is that a lot of people do not know how to be allies. There are certain spaces that you should join and keep your mic off the entire session because it’s not about you. When given the mic, acknowledge you are an ally & “know” that you know less.

Recognizing one’s positionality allows parties of different power relationships to work together to achieve the same goal. Do not centre yourselves in conversations about marginalisation to the marginalised group. It’s ok to actively listen. Be active, be present but do not be the loudest voice in spaces where you should be just listening.

Being an ally means you do not speak AT people. You listen and be guided, e.g you cannot join a women’s space and hog the mic to give a man’s perspective. You cannot join a space about genocide and give a perspective of the abuser. You cannot start or join spaces and refer to queer people as them or, “I am not part of them, I am straight”

Even if you are a scholar or “expert” in that topic when communities come together to speak, take a step back & listen. LISTEN! Its a topic for you but it’s their lives, their reality, their experiences

Understand that knowing marginalized people ≠ being inclusive. Be honest about things you don’t understand — don’t try to fake it! Respectful questions are generally better than making assumptions about someone’s life/ experience/ reality.

It is important for advocates and allies to recognize and dissect their own positionality in social justice work. Sometimes you cause more harm than good.

What allies do:

• Allies are present when marginalised groups share uncomfortable or difficult conversations about privilege and oppression,
• Allies become aware of the different experiences based on perceived social identities and facilitate mutual understanding and respect for those differences
• Allies reflect one’s own prejudices or biases
• Allies listen
• Allies acknowledge that “ally” is not an identity.
• Allies check on their privilege at all times.