Ally Action Project Week 30: Take Action Like An Ally

We wanted to follow up last week’s topics of how to be an ally with how to take action like an ally. We believe in doing more than just learning, but to take that knowledge and applying it to remove systems of inequality. We advised that once you learn more about inequality, decide if there is a specific systems of inequality that you are passionate about removing. Refer to the Ally Action Project Resource page for a starting point for national groups. Join a group to better understand your passion, and see if they are working towards your same goal. Participate with the groups you join, volunteer where possible, donate time and/or money to help bring equality.

Get involved locally through regional branches of national organizations that you support. Take action by voting with your dollars to boycott companies that oppress or fund oppressive groups and support minority owned companies. Volunteer locally in underserved places where inequality has occurred, for example, help in food pantries in inner cities where food deserts and redlining have limited the opportunities.

Lastly, we looked at how local and national politics are the most effective system to provide changes for equality. There are many tools (I Side With, Ballotpedia, and Vote Smart) that show where candidates and elected officials stand on various issues as well as explaining your ballot more clearly. Identify your local leadership at the state, county, city, school district, and neighborhood levels so that you can effectively engage in politics to create change.