Not Just A Performance

How to spot the difference between performance allies and true allies

If you are not a member of a marginalized community you can still be an ally. An ally is a person that doesn’t have first-hand experience with discrimination or barrier due to oppression from society. Allyship and the way you act as an ally matters!

Sadly, some of those that claim to be allies to various communities are not legitimately supporting the cause, but using it for social merits.

A performance ally is a person that pretends to support a marginalized community but only does so for personal gain. Personal gain may be clout, monetary gain, or the ability to receive admiration for “good works” in the community.

Types of performance

• Changing your online presence to pride flags when your company doesn’t openly support LGBTQIA rights.
• Promoting Black-owned businesses or creators ONLY during February.
• Speaking up for disabled people at your workplace, but only if the accommodation they need benefits you.
• Receiving a public award for the impact you made on a community, but you only support the community when cameras are rolling.

Living your life as an ally means you care about the important issues that plague that community even if you gain nothing personally.

Ways to be an ally

• Learning about the issues in your community that create barriers for autistic people.
• Find out what companies in your area are Black-owned businesses and shop there.
• Support advocates in the disabled community by identifying your internal ableism and taking steps to remedy it.

If you are a public figure that is an ally, make sure you’re still an ally when the camera is off. Acts of allyship don’t need to be publicized and can start from within.