Developing Allies: Anchored in and Among Communities. Kevin Hiner, Psy.D. Kimberly Hodges, MSW Ross Wantland, M.E.d. September 21, 2015

Transcription

1 Developing Allies: Anchored in and Among Communities Kevin Hiner, Psy.D. Kimberly Hodges, MSW Ross Wantland, M.E.d September 21, 2015

2 [The] rope [connected to our identities] should be long enough to allow us to move into other communities to understand and learn. -Angela Y. Davis quoted in Fires in the Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith

3 Agenda Understanding mechanisms of marginalization and oppression on campus Developing a critical understanding of intersectional ally identity Building practical strategies for creating a reflective, intersectional allyship process

4 Presentation Goals 1. Explore self-awareness and ally commitment 2. Develop tools to increase the capacity of an ally 3. Identify barriers of intersectional ally work

5 Ally Development 101

6 Understanding the Problem Allies work to dismantle oppression against groups to which they do not belong. What are some of the most common ways that you see people marginalized in society based on race, gender identity, and sexual orientation? How are these mechanisms similar and unique?

7 Defining an Ally One whose personal commitment to dismantling discrimination and prejudice is reflected in a willingness to educate oneself, challenge one s own prejudices, and interrupt discriminatory remarks, behaviors, policies and institutional structures LeeAnn Bell

8 Troubling Ally Ally label can be used to stop doing the work, take credit, rather than currently operating in solidarity ( No More Allies, Mia McKenzie, Black Girl Dangerous) Ally and identity discourse is narrowly defined upon a singular identity, vs. intersectional or multiple identities simultaneously Singular social identity ally conversations reify the competition and limitations inherent in social construction of social identity by dominant groups

9 Non-Linear Model for Social Identities

10 Solidarity is for... Michael Kimmel, start at 37:18

11 Expanding Our Lens Separating social problems into discrete challenges facing separate groups (which are considered mutually exclusive) creates artificial distinctions and sometimes conflict agendas. We can no longer frame group needs in exclusionary terms (Crenshaw, 2013) Degraffenreid v. General Motors Race and gender discrimination were seen as exclusive and not intersecting The plaintiffs slipped through the cracks People are simultaneously members of many groups and their intersecting identities shape the ways they experience bias Laverne Cox story

12 Example of Intersectional Allyhood

13 Defining an (Intersectional) Ally A commitment to dismantling power structures that impact the lives of marginalized peoples with a critical understanding that there are multiple identities interacting simultaneously not separately; contributing to compounded experiences of discrimination and prejudice

14 Understanding the Intersection of Allyship Race Gender Identity Sexual Identity

15 Allies Needed at the University of Illinois #BlackLivesMatter Reflections: Experiences of Queer Professionals of Color Are our spaces designed for all leaders? What examples exist at your institution/department? Sense of belonging What other factors are at play?

16 Questions for Intersectional Ally Practice 1. What subordinate group experiences have I had? a. How do these experiences make me feel? b. What did I need in those experiences? 2. What voices are being silenced in situations I observe? 3. Why is it important that I intervene? Is there agency or influence that I can exercise? 4. How might my response as an ally incite political consequences?

17 Qualities of Intersectional Allies Have an understanding of how power and privilege manifest at intersections Open to learning and critically humble Translates their ally commitment to action and continued growth

18 Clinical Application Individual therapy Group therapy Outreach activities