What does it mean to be an ally?
Definition and use of the term through history
What does it mean to be an ally?
The term “ally” and then “allyship” was first conceptualized as men’s anti-sexism and pro-feminism, before being used to refer to solidarity efforts supporting the struggle for racial justice (97,98),Indigenous rights (99), LGBTQI rights (100), and the rights of people with disabilities(101).
The term “allyship” can be performative rather than transformative (102). As people standing in solidarity and/or working in support structures, we should be attentive and aware of our own positions, reflect on our behaviour, and address it when needed. And according to Mokhtar, H. and Chaudhry, T. et al. 103) the terms “ally,” “allies,” and “allyship,” might be problematic, as they have been critiqued by activists and advocates who have called for “an evolution of our collective thinking about what is needed from people privileged by or benefiting from inequalities” (104).
