Brianna Donaldson Morton & Steffany Garcia's Allyship Comic

Allyship: How to Build Better Alliances Within Your Community Written by: Brianna Donaldson-Morton Illustrated by: Steffany Garcia

Introduction Yo! It’s Bri! I hope you all enjoy the Pride Center’s very first comic: “Allyship: How to Build Better Alliances Within Your Community.” Special shoutout to art specialist Steffany Garcia for making the illustrations look great!

This comic was inspired by contemporary national cases of failed allyship by white LGBTQ people toward QTPOC people, as well as my own personal experiences as a queer African American woman. I wanted to use the comic form to talk about building alliances to minority groups within an already marginalized community.

In my experience, people who belong to marginalized groups sometimes forget that not everyone’s experience is similar. It can become easy to stop seeing the need to develop alliances with each other.

I see this manifest in two ways: either people are overtly homophobic, transphobic, or racist (which is an entirely different comic, folks!).

Or, people think they are being effective allies, but are actually blocking differing priorities or voices.

We might have the same end goal, but different methods for achieving that goal; or our priorities may be ranked in different orders which can cause conflict.

For example, in the 1970s, women of color, particularly hispanic and black women, were being forcibly sterilized without proper consent. Feminists of color saw a need and urgency to bring awareness to this issue and act. This was not affecting white middle class women as directly, so many did not have the same sense of urgency.

As movements and groups become more intersectional, we are going to have multiple battles going on simultaneously within the same group.

I believe that as an ally we need to be aware of each other’s struggles and show up in support. Hence, this comic!

One challenge of developing allyship is knowing HOW to be one.

The majority of us have the best intentions. We want to be affirming. We want to be helpful. But, mistakes happen when we just aren’t sure HOW to help.

This comic uses mainstream national cases of failed allyship as lessons for us all.

I hope you all enjoy and learn something useful.

At some point we have met someone who says they’re an ally but their behavior does not show it. They’re an ally, but they keep messing up your pronouns. They’re an ally, but they feel uncomfortable when you and your partner are affectionate. They’re an ally, but they never defend you. The list can go on and on. Maybe they excuse their lack of active allyship by saying “well you know me, I’m not like that;” or by insisting that folks be nicer or more patient as they make mistakes … OH KAY

How Allies Fail: This section is designed to illustrate patterns in the way that allies fail. Each of the panels represent a different way we fail. They include: 1)Assuming the one person they know is representative of the entire community, 2)Not speaking up when they have the chance, 3)Speaking over those they’re trying to be an ally for, 4)Not listening, 5) Unintentional microaggressions

COULD YOU NOT ASK ME WHEN I TURN BROWN?

WHAT’S UP MILKSHAKE?

UM...

I’M A MALT. BUT MY OTHER BANANA FRIENDS SAID IT WAS OK.

ALRIGHT, SO IF ALL THE ZA’S COULD...

MALT, MILKSHAKE, SAME THING

AS AN ALLY TO THE PIZZA COMMUNITY, I’VE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN OUTDATED TERM!!

WELL ACTUALLY THE TERM...

WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF SAYING THAT

SHOULD WE START INCLUDING RAISINS IN THESE MEETINGS?

RAISINS ARE A PART OF US...

WHY? RAISINS ARE DRY AND WRINKLY. THEY’RE NOT LIKE US.

I SHOULD SAY SOMETHING...

NO!!

NO!!

NO!!

I HAVE THIS APPLE FRIEND AND I THINK Y’ALL WOULD LOOK SO GOOD TOGETHER

JUST BECAUSE I’M AN APPLE, DOESN’T MEAN I LIKE ALL APPLES.

E’S ER H W MY E?!

AG K C PA

OH, SO RAISINS GET THEIR OWN PACKAGE NOW?? WE’RE BASICALLY THE SAME. YEA BUT RAISINS AREN’T ALWAYS INCLUDED.

More Color, More Pride Night

Club

I DON’T THINK THIS IS THE CLUB FOR THEM

WE DON’T LISTEN TO THAT TYPE OF MUSIC HERE

In 2017, Philadelphia revealed a new pride flag that incorporated a black and brown stripe to represent inclusion of people of color. This was done in response to growing racial discrimination that occured at the gay bars in the area.

In 2016 a video surfaced showing the owner of a popular gay bar using the N-word; while other bars enforced discriminatory dress codes. This is a huge problem in Wisconsin too, specifically Madison and Milwaukee. A patron of color is not allowed to wear hats, jordans, baggy pants, etc. as it “perpetuates gang behavior.” Let us also not forget the absence of hip hop or “urban” music as some feel the most fights/violence occur on those nights. (Research has shown there is no correlation btw). In this illustrative scenario, the 2019 Manchester pride adopted the racially inclusive flag!

However, when the flag was revealed, people were MAAAD. Let’s explore why.

WAIT, WHATS HAPPENING? IT’S NOT RACIST HERE.

WHERE’S THE WHITE STRIPE??

IT’S ALREADY INCLUSIVE

AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Racial discrimnation and racial ignorance continue to be rampant within the LGBTQ community. You can see examples of this when you go on a dating app and the profile says “No (insert race/ethnicity).”

No fruits.

Vegetables only.

No Yellows or Purples.

It’s clear that white folks are included at pride and other community entertainment events. This is demonstrated by the artists performing, music played, vendors, people awarded and recognized, and the list could go on. As a result, POC have been creating their own pride events and celebrations. For example, Krave Spring Break is a 3-day party that caters to women who love women with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Krave was created in response to forms of exclusion at The Dinah, one of the world’s largest weekend parties for women who love women. Many of the celebrities and musical artists who perform at The Dinah are white or whitepresenting. As a result, the whole event seems to target white women who love women, making it more difficult for women of color to attend, see themselves represented, and feel comfortable. So organizers went about their work creating an alternative event. Enter Krave! Krave occurs in the same city at the same time, but prioritizes entertainers and artists of color at a much more affordable ticket price.

Now attendees can bounce back and forth between the two events, while enjoying the security of a women loving women takeover. This is a mainstream, national example of how LGBTQ organizers have had to adapt to truly meet the needs of their community. Although the priorities of Krave Spring Break and The Dinah were ranked in different orders, their collaboration is successful because their priorities are not in competition. Krave Spring Break wants to center entertainers and people of color. The Dinah wants to organize a women loving women city takeover. Overall, these priorities can work symbiotically. The inclusion of the black and brown stripe in the racially inclusive pride flag is more than symbolic then--it serves as a statement and reminder to do better at intentionally including and supporting LGBTQ people of color.

The Bowl “Where produce can be produce” THERE ARE MORE KITTENS IN THE HOUSE. WE SHOULD HIRE THE UTENSILS TO BLOCK OFF THE COUNTER FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY.

I DON’T THINK THAT’S A GOOD IDEA. UTENSILS HAVE BEEN PRETTY HARMFUL LATELY.

Produce Pride Planning Committee

EVEN MORE REASON WHY WE SHOULD INCLUDE THEM. TO SHOW THAT NOT ALL UTENSILS ARE BAD.

BUT THE POINT OF THE BOWL IS TO CREATE A SAFE AND WELCOMING SPACE FOR ALL PRODUCE TO GO. PUTTING MORE UTENSILS INTO THE BOWL MAKES IT UNSAFE.

THAT’S WHY WE SHOULD INCLUDE THEM. TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR PRODUCE AND UTENSILS TO TALK AND CLEAR UP MISCONCEPTIONS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

UTENSILS HERE AREN’T EVEN THAT BAD. I’VE NEVER HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.

DID YOU NOT SEE THE APPLE JUICE THEY MADE LAST WEEK!? THE UTENSILS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO PROTECT US!

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T HAD ANY BAD EXPEREINCES WITH UTENSILS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE SAFE FOR EVERYONE.

Here’s the problem Conversations like these happen when allies are unable to look past their privilege and bias, and when they are only listening to respond. It is easy for a person with more privilege to talk over or dismiss the concerns of those who are multiply marginalized. It can also be difficult to not generalize from your own singular experience, assuming your truth is everyone’s, or at least the majority of everyone.

But, if you listen to understand, are flexible with a group’s priorities, do your own research, trust the data and other people’s personal experiences, and work from a harm reductionist approach (aka. are committed to fighting and resisting oppression), then you can recover in the moment and be back on track to developing your allyship.

Allyship Is Like A Plane

If we are going to talk seriously about allyship, then we need to talk about privilege. It can be easy to recognize when people aren’t awarded privilege, because our daily struggles are so visible. But, it is much harder to understand or admit when we hold privilege, in part, because that’s how power, privilege, and oppression operate. People who have privilege aren’t supposed to know how they benefit.

In order to uphold oppression, privilege is supposed to be far from our view, especially when we hold a lot of it. But, if we want to be better allies, then we need to recognize the way our privilege benefits us, even without our knowing, and work hard to commit ourselves to preventing harm. Privilege grants us power in certain spaces. Our voice is heard and valued and validated over others. We aren’t questioned or challenged as often. Understanding how privilege manifests for us is an important first step to calling yourself an ally.

Financial privilege

Educational privilege

Heterosexual privilege

Citizenship privilege

Some folks think they can check their privilege like a bag.

IT’S OVERWEIGHT

White Privilege

Some folks don’t realise they still carry their privilege with them, even after they’ve checked most of it.

Cis Privilege

ge

ile Priv t r spo Pas

SOMETIMES WE HOLD PRIVILEGES THAT WE THINK ARE OKAY TO BRING INTO A SPACE BUT ACTUALLY DON’T FIT.

Sometimes we hold privileges that we don’t realize may be a privilege or may have an impact on other people.

WOOHOO!!

LET’S GET SOME WINE OVER HERE!!

IS IT FREE?

YOU’RE OKAY. YOU GOT THIS. YOU’VE BEEN SOBER FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. ANYTHING TO DRINK FOR YOU FOLKS?

As hard as we try to “check our privilege,” and while also acknowledging that privilege can be contextual, it isn’t designed to simply go away because we noticed it or wished it to. The opposite, in fact! Oftentimes we hold forms of privilege that we are not even aware of. So how to move forward? As long as we recognize that we do hold privilege, continuously learn how it impacts us, and work to prevent harm and hold people up, then we are on our allyship journey.

Privilege awards us power. So, within this unequal society, use that power to advocate. What if you’re just not in a position to advocate? Then, we still need to remain considerate of those we are in community with and mindful of our power.

Tips to being a better Ally We now know some of the common ways that allies fail and we know that privilege plays a large role in how effective of an ally we can be. The hardest part of being an ally is the HOW. There are a lot of tips on how to be an ally, but below are a few that I believe are really important.

IN ORDER TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ALLY, YOU GOTTA PEEL BACK THE LAYERS OF BIAS.

Listen to understand, not to respond We are quick to defend ourselves or others if we believe it goes against our experiences or if we feel “attacked.” How about we stop that? Listen to what people are telling us.

Recognize that not every space is for you and be okay with that Sometimes we get caught up in the rush of being a good ally that when we meet someone who maybe does not want our allyship or does not want it at that moment we become offended or feel left out. You’re trying to help! How dare they say no. Not every group is intended as a space for those outside of the community, ally or not. We need to be okay with that and not make the space about us.

Recognize that allyship is dynamic The needs of the group, the members, the time and place may all change. Which means allies need to stay informed and adapt to the group’s needs in the moment.

Bring an extra seat to the table You already have a seat at the table, so bring an extra comfy chair for the group you’re an ally for so that they can be a part of the conversation.

Unlearn your prejudice and bias Easier said than done. It is a process and it takes time and effort and it can be painful. But you need to begin to question why you think the way you do and begin to unlearn biased thought processes. You cannot be an ally to a group if you still attribute to that group the various stereotypes, biases, and prejudice you grew up with.

Be Honest Allyship is built off of respect and honesty. We should be honest with ourselves and others about where we stand as an ally. Sometimes, we’re afraid to be seen as harmful or wrong. But, these feelings can prevent us from being an effective ally. Remember, there isn’t an award we get at the end of our allyship journey! Allyship is dynamic and group needs are constantly changing.

So, it’s our job to stay informed and be honest along the way.

Conclusion Allyship is a process. It takes time to learn and grow as an ally, and even more time to operationalize lessons into action. We’re going to mess up. We’re going to say the wrong thing sometimes.

We’re going to overstep. Because mistakes are inevitable, part of our allyship training is learning how to recover in ways that decenter us as allies and recenter those we’ve harmed.

It’s okay to make a mistake, so long as we learn to acknowledge the harm we’ve caused, apologize, and recommit ourselves to being an effective ally. Being an ally is hard work and does not provide instant gratification. But if you want to claim status as an ally, you need to put in the work. You need to learn, grow, and challenge yourself and others around you to do better.

2 AM AT STEFF’S APARTMENT

IF YOU WERE A BANANA, WHAT COLOR SHOES WOULD YOU WEAR??

UM.....

BANANA COLORED ONES....?