AllyUp Recap: Theory
Hi Ally,
While learning to become a better ally to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color), you’ve learned about racism in many forms. You might have read earlier articles about the culture of whiteness, the history of anti-Blackness in the U.S.A., or how racial microaggressions affect the health of BIPOC on a daily basis. All of these are symptoms of the system of oppression that is racism: that is, discrimination against BIPOC by white people that is supported and built into institutional power.
Oppression.
Like all systems of oppression, racism isn’t natural in any way. It is a social construct, designed to allow white people to dominate and exploit anyone that they label non-white. (racism was invented by colonial europe). (who is white changes and is fluid). This fluidity extends to how law is applied. (Dred scott). In the present, Stand Your Ground laws have been used to…
Everyone at the top of a system of oppression benefits from it, whether they are aware of it or not. (white privilege sentence). That is why it is so important that white people educate themselves about systems of oppression and fight to dismantle racism, ableism, capitalism, and others.
Racism is intersectional.
Resources
Edwards, Keith E. “Aspiring Social Justice Ally Identity Development: A Conceptual Model.” NASPA Journal, vol. 43, no. 4, 2007, pp. 39–60., doi:10.2202/0027-6014.1722.