How to be an ally to BAME people

Dear Naomi,

Thank you for tweet asking how to be a good ally.

In our current situation, it is important that liberal voices unite and stand together, as Christians, we are commanded to speak up against injustice.

Racism like ever other discrimination is ugly and has the power to hurt and humiliate. Unpleasant interactions have the power to cause people to lose their faith.

To be an ally takes courage, to listen and act, it requires self-examination. You will hear things that will make you feel complicit in racism, it is uncomfortable to hear this as you are an ally, however this is where you must ask yourself how you benefit from this system. For example as a non disabled person I benefit from a world that caters to my body, seldom thinking about ramps, parking, hearing aids and crowds. While I am sympathetic to the cause I benefit from being able bodied. To change that I must change the way I think of the world. This change takes time but it is possible.

When we say white people we use the term in a generalised manner, it is not helpful to say ‘not all white people, what about me’. The phrase does not mean every white person, but plenty of, it is just convenient as opposed to saying 26.89 % of white people.

Speaking up is essential; there will be times when you will have to speak up for the black person who isn’t being heard. When white people talk about racism they are heard more keenly than black people. Back up the black person who is trying to be heard. Speak up when we aren’t around, tell people some of their jokes or comments are inappropriate, be discrete though there are some situations that might compromise your safety, it is best to be silent then.

If you see someone being harassed please step in. Sometimes in a public space all it takes is one ally to stop a situation from getting worse. When a bully sees people ganging up against them, they back off.

Change policy when you can. This could be in the workplace, church, local council or national level. Currently there are many barriers to BAME inclusion in the Church speak about it try and change that if possible. To be deliberate in inclusion is a necessity at times. Every minority person in church helps create a community that is learning about human difference. Learning and kindness in the pursuit of God are spiritual activities and not merely secular distractions.

A church with blacks, gays, poor, rich, young, old, women and disabled people is richer as it reflects all of God’s creation and calls us to extend ourself.          

 

With love and prayers

BAMEAnglican