What is an Ally?

An Ally is someone who makes active, consistent efforts to support and uplift a marginalized community, while being intentional about continuously educating themselves on how to be better at allyship and respecting the lived experiences of individuals in that community.

 

Welcome to the SUBU Allyship Hub!

This is a space for you to develop your knowledge on the issues minority groups have faced over the years and educate yourself on how to become a better Ally. Here is where you can find out how you can actively support members of these communities through campaigning, fundraising, and changing the way you act in certain situations.

The hub was created in the wake of a series of injustices. From the senseless murders of Black people at the hands of the police to the violence inflicted on other people of colour to how today’s life systems can make life difficult for those who are disabled or apart of the LGBT community, I realised that enough was enough. With the apparent uprising of individuals calling for equality, there are many people without knowledge on how they can actively fight for change. Many uploaded black squares to their social media, but what happened after the fanfare died down? Some removed the black square from their profiles, making no apparent steps to create change or educate themselves on the best ways to go about tackling racism & bigotry. Many organisations uploaded statements of solidarity, but it has been almost a year, and nothing has changed?

We have all been unaware or misinformed of the issues faced by underrepresented groups at times, but now is the time to become present and actively learn about what needs to be changed, and how you can be a part of that movement.

With so much content to digest and a variety of minority groups requiring support against inequality, it can be difficult for people to know where to start. The hub takes some of that pressure away, allowing you to explore videos, articles, books, films, campaigns and funds that could help begin your journey towards understanding the trauma and lack of support available to minority groups.

If we work together to combat bigotry & hate within our institutions & our wider society, the weight stops landing on underrepresented communities to teach others and begins to be shared and stamped out by everyone.

Want to find out more? Become an ally for the SUBU Liberation Groups and find out what they have been working on to try and make SUBU and BU more inclusive spaces for everyone. It is on both staff & students to actively be anti-racist, anti-homophobic, anti-ableist, anti-sexist etc.

Not sure where to start? Here are some great links to find out how to be an active ally for all communities.