WHITE FOLKS: NO LEADERS NEEDED; ALLIES PREFERRED
I’m often struck by the number of leadership programs that are offered by colleges, business groups, and professional associations. One might think the biggest problem facing the U.S. is the lack of effective leadership (well, maybe in the White House). Of course, leadership comes at a price: many of these programs cost in the thousands of dollars.
I don’t think that good leadership is a bad thing. I do wonder, however, whether it can be taught, or if people can be trained in it. There is natural leadership. Most of the leaders we aspire to from George Washington to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez opted out on taking a course. I don’t think Anthony Fauci has taken training. And though the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was well educated and had a PhD, it wasn’t in leadership studies.
As a white man who has spent a career as a lawyer and college professor, I haven’t myself taken a course in leadership but have been in roles where the expectation placed on me included being in charge. Looking back, I wonder how I ended up in some of these positions. Was I eager to run things? Did I feel I only could make my mark if I was at the helm? One thing I am now fairly certain of is that the fact that I am a white male has “qualified” me for taking on some of these roles. And it’s not because I would broadcast, “I’m a white guy, make me the boss.” Rather it was because of inherent and structural advantages that I have been bestowed because I’m a white guy. The benefits I accrued through experience and education were not a matter of luck. Our society is skewed toward power being amassed by white people. I don’t need to cover this here. Much is being written about the systemic advantages that have been in place since Columbus landed that have dealt me the best cards at the poker game of life.
Being a good follower is what is called for frequently, especially now. But, I’m not familiar with any “followership” programs. And following is not something that easily sits well with middle class white people. We are used to not just being a member of the PTA, but PTA president; not just a community member, but a community association president. Of course in some situations, individuals are reluctant to be in charge: it’s not always as fulfilling as it appears. Leaders need to call the shots including saying “no” more than “yes,” slashing budgets, letting people go, and being held accountable for their actions. But leaders set the tone and more importantly the objectives that need to be reached in an organization and work often to preserve the status quo (which keeps white folks in charge).
A few weeks back my son directed to an article in Vogue that explored the notion of “allyship.” In some respects this might be a better way of considering “followership.” An ally is someone that works “with” you, rather than “for” you, which is unfortunately how a follower is sometimes viewed.
In “10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship”, Mireille Cassandra Harper presents a number of sound approaches that someone — including white allies (or followers) — might take. Here they are:
1. Understand what optical allyship is. “Allyship only serves at the surface level to platform the ‘ally’, it makes a statement but does not go beneath the surface and is not aimed at breaking away from the systems of power that oppress.” — Latham Thomas
2. Check in on your black friends, family, partners, loved ones and colleagues. This is an emotional and traumatic time for the community, and you checking in means more than you can imagine. Ask how you can provide support.
3. Be prepared to do the work. Understand that coming to terms with your own privilege will not be a pretty or fun experience. It is necessary to experience feelings of guilt, shame, and anger throughout the process.
4. Read up on antiracist works. It is not enough to dislike racism, you need to work towards antiracism. The following will be essential for your learning: Me And White Supremacy (Layla Saad) and How To Be An Antiracist (Ibram X. Kendi).
5. Avoid sharing content which is traumatic. Whatever your intentions, it is vital to consider that sharing videos of black people being abused and hurt can be both traumatic and triggering for many black people. Avoid sharing this content as it also contributes to the dehumanization of black people.
6. Donate to funds and support initiatives. Consider supporting platforms and initiatives which support black people, such as the Minnesota Freedom Fund, support black-owned funding platforms such as Kwanda, and sign petitions. Put your MONEY and PEN where your mouth is.
7. Do not centre this narrative around yourself. Whilst it is nice that you can relate and empathize, now is not the time to insert your personal experiences into a narrative that is not about you. This is actually harmful and takes away from the severity of the situation. Leave your ego.
8. Keep supporting after the outrage. It should not take an act of brutality or the virality of a situation for you to suddenly show your support. Keep supporting black media, black initiatives, charitable organisations, and continuing your work AFTER the attention has died down.
9. Stop supporting organisations that promote hate. If you read pieces on media platforms that promote hate or fund supremacist and hateful organisations, you are contributing to the problem. Equally, stop supporting organisations that love ‘black culture’, but fail to speak up on issues affecting the black community.
10.Start your long-term strategy. How are you making a long-term impact or affecting change? Can you mentor a young person? Can you become a trustee for an organisation that supports the black community? Could you offer your time to volunteer? Make the effort to do something valuable over the long-term period.
This is a starting list, of course. Within our own personal space, including with friends, colleagues and family (and we all have family members who take very different views of what is taking place), we can offer insight, support, and maybe more importantly, call others out when they are acting in ways that promote racism.
