I'd like to suggest a bit of tinkering with the concept of "real ally."

As somone who aims for that label, my own experience says being an ally is an ongoing practice of "growing toward the light".

There's no way we can wave a magic wand and suddenly make ourselves "the ally." It takes a lot of work, constant self-education, paying close attention, and accepting that there's no way a white person can fit the bill 100%. It has to be an ongoing process where new issues are brought to light that we may not have thought of before.

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Georgia NeSmith
Georgia NeSmith

Written by Georgia NeSmith

Retired professor, feminist, writer, photographer, activist, grandmother of 5, overall Wise Woman. Phd UIA School of Journalism & Mass Communication, 1994.

Responses (1)

What are your thoughts?

I've had my share of suicide attempts and psych ward visits. Very few people understand it. Your article reminds me that there are people out there who get it. Great article!

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