Allyship provides a decisive means for attempting to overcome inequality in a patriarchal, White supremacist culture. The Anti-Oppression Network defines allyship as “an active, consistent, and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group.” The modern-day relevance of John Singleton’s film Higher Learning teaches us to start a movement to practice unlearning. The trajectory of the film would be vastly different if any of the many interracial and intergender relationships required the privileged race or gender to engage in this practice. Allyship is limited or completely missing from the film and continues to be inadequate or absent in modern, U.S. society. Therefore, it is necessary for power groups (e.g., White people, men) to overcome their unease with acknowledging and confronting their privilege. To be an ally is to recognize centuries of endless, and seemingly infinite, struggle that oppressed groups (e.g., people of color, women) have endured. Practicing allyship looks differently depending on the particular interracial or intergender relationship dynamic, but both start with unlearning hate before tragedy strikes.

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Lessons on Allyship in Higher Learning

  • Jessica Trull

摘要

Allyship provides a decisive means for attempting to overcome inequality in a patriarchal, White supremacist culture. The Anti-Oppression Network defines allyship as “an active, consistent, and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group.” The modern-day relevance of John Singleton’s film Higher Learning teaches us to start a movement to practice unlearning. The trajectory of the film would be vastly different if any of the many interracial and intergender relationships required the privileged race or gender to engage in this practice. Allyship is limited or completely missing from the film and continues to be inadequate or absent in modern, U.S. society. Therefore, it is necessary for power groups (e.g., White people, men) to overcome their unease with acknowledging and confronting their privilege. To be an ally is to recognize centuries of endless, and seemingly infinite, struggle that oppressed groups (e.g., people of color, women) have endured. Practicing allyship looks differently depending on the particular interracial or intergender relationship dynamic, but both start with unlearning hate before tragedy strikes.