The Language of Allyship

Summary

Dr. Melody Lehn examines the language of allyship and gives an overview of how speaking and listening can aide and abet in the push for social justice while also carrying the same capacity to detract and undermine societal change. Take heed of her words and use her advice as food for thought as you develop your understanding of allyship. 

Video Transcript

Hi, I'm professor Melody Lehn. At Sewanee, I teach courses in speaking, argumentation, and debate, US public address, and women's voices. I'm also Sewanee's assistant director at Sewanee's Center for Speaking and Listening. As a speaker in any context, your voice can be powerful and can be used to lift up as well as to oppress and exclude others. This short video focuses on the importance of language by suggesting four best practices for using language as an ally. Think of these as starting points for further investigation into how you can be a better ally through the words you use in a variety of contexts where your participation and advocacy matter.

First, use language that is active, and avoid the language of neutrality. Bishop Desmond Tutu once remarked, "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Being an ally means using concrete, affirming, and unambiguous language that lets people know you are with them in more than name only. If you see or hear something that is wrong, say so, name it, call it out, and help others to do the same.

Second, use correct and accurate language. When engaging topics about race, gender, sexuality, or any other aspect of identity and experience, equip yourself with language that promotes clarity and inclusivity. Take the time to look up proper terms and names. Check the pronunciation of words and phrases. Ask people how they would like to be addressed, what they would like to be called. These distinctions do matter. And if you say something wrong and someone corrects you, don't make excuses. Apologize, accept the help graciously, and make the changes needed to move forward. There are lots of helpful books and other free resources online that can help you. Seek them out. Vet them to make sure they're credible. Read them. Talk with others, and make sure to incorporate what you've learned into daily practice.

Third, use language that centers others, not yourself. There are various ways of characterizing what appears to be--but really isn't--allyship. Perhaps you've heard of some of them. Fake allyship. Performative allyship. Or optical allyship, or ally theatre. By and large they all mean the same thing. Allyship that is inauthentic, superficial, unhelpful, self-serving, or even harmful. If you're constantly talking about yourself, centering your own experiences, soliciting praise or recognition, or speaking on behalf of others, especially when they're there with you, chances are you are not being a good ally. Use the language of 'we,' not the language of 'I.' Create spaces for others to speak up and participate. And recognize that while vital, the role of ally is one of support. Finally, use listening as an active strategy. Listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to allyship. So as an ally, listen to be engaged in th conversation; to be authentically receptive to learning about the experiences and ideas of others. To be open to feedback and critique. And to be an agent of positive change.

That said, do be careful to not allow your silence to be perceived as a form of disinterest or disengagement. You silence to actively listen, to comprehend and to reflect. Not to assume the role of bystander or to avoid difficult conversations all together. In the end, allyship is a life-long process that requires work, education, and action, and sometimes difficult conversations. Both speaking and listening aer central to being a good ally. Use these best practices as food for thought as you consider your own status as an ally to various groups of people, populations, or organizations; and remember, your words matter a great deal, but they can actually maintain the status quo between the powerful and the powerless if all you do is talk.