At For the Breast of Us, we exist to build community among and elevate the narratives of women of color affected by breast cancer, but no community can thrive without accomplices. While an ally is someone who stands by your side, an accomplice actively participates in the fight. We invite those who do not identify as women of color to be a #BreastCancerBaddie accomplice in our fight against the barriers to quality treatment for WOC and the health disparities they create.
After much research and consideration, we thought Women of Color for Progress provided the best inspiration for an ally guide.
Here is our adapted guide to being an accomplice for WOC affected by breast cancer, for those who do not identify as WOC:
We encourage you to attend events, meetings and other activities where, women of color are leading discussions that impact communities of color and our society at large. Listen and ask questions.
If you are looking to create a conversation about an issue or issues that have an impact on communities of color, we encourage you to bring women of color to the table and invite them to take lead in those conversations.
We encourage you to engage in our community so you can support our mission and collectively work together to break down barriers to quality treatment for women of color.
We encourage you to take what you learn and share with your own friends, family and community members. Invite them to engage with our community as well.
We encourage you to volunteer and lend your services and expertise to further the work of organizations and businesses supporting WOC affected by breast cancer.
We encourage you to take the voices of women of color in our group into consideration, particularly when organizing your own activities in your respective groups and communities. We would love to attend and participate in your community discussions to add another perspective so we can learn from one another.
We encourage you to support and promote the businesses and organizations created by and/or for WOC affected by breast cancer. Often women of color don’t have access to the same resources as our counterparts.
We encourage you to inform women of color of available leadership, advocacy and volunteer positions in the cancer community.
We encourage you to connect your networks to the work WOC are advancing in the breast cancer community and vice-versa.
As suggested by Women of Color for Progress.
Do stand up for a woman of color who is being discriminated against. As an accomplice you are (often times) less likely to face negative consequences than if she stood up alone. This could be as simple as speaking up if a woman of color (or any woman in fact) has been interrupted in a meeting; if someone has taken credit away from an idea or the hard work a woman has put in; or if a woman of color is criticized for expressing emotion.
Do call someone out for telling a sexist and/or racially insensitive joke. The joke might seem harmless, and it would be easier to brush it off, but these little moments, also known as microaggressions, add up to something big. Just because it isn’t overt doesn’t mean it’s any less damaging. (Quick hack: if someone replies “I was just joking,” ask them to explain what about the joke is actually funny.)
Do examine your own prejudices. It’s important as an accomplice to face your own prejudices an unconscious biases, otherwise it’s possible act in ways that can be more harmful than helpful – even with the best of intentions. Never underestimate the role our culture and society have played in shaping how you view the people around you, which is why we ALL carry prejudices and unconscious biases that we may not even be aware of (even women of color against other women of color). It is on each of us as individuals to look inwards and acknowledge these biases. The most important thing is not to feel guilty, but to be honest with yourself and confront the prejudices straight on. Even if you consider yourself a truly open and progressive person, chances are that you lack a certain lens on an issue because it from your personal experiences. Being an accomplice isn’t about sharing or fully understanding the experiences of the community you wish to support, but to acknowledge that their struggles are valid and important.
Do continue to listen and learn. The quest to be thoughtful, compassionate, informed, and connected should be lifelong.
As suggested by Women of Color for Progress.
Don’t be afraid of the word “privilege.” Often times it is people with privilege that help push a movement forward and that is invaluable. Certain privileges can help get underrepresented communities access or visibility in spaces they may not have had previously. See your privilege as a means to support communities, instead of feeling bad about it. It’s what you do with your privilege that counts!
Don’t wait for people/communities/organizations to reach out to you out of the blue. Be proactive about letting them know who you are and what you can offer them. Figure out when it’s appropriate to get involved, and do it.
Don’t retreat into your privilege and abandon the work if you feel uncomfortable. Be accountable and embrace the discomfort. Oppression is constant, and it’s important to understand that while you may be able to “take a break,” oppressed and marginalized women don’t ever get that luxury. While it’s understandable that you will not be able to fully understand their experiences, committing to supporting a community means to be there even when it gets a little uncomfortable. It’s OK to feel discomfort – most of us have been there. Acknowledge that you feel this way, try and figure out why, get support from other allies and social justice educators who you respect, and keep going
Don’t walk away if you make a mistake. Listen, learn, pick yourself up, and move on. It’s okay to make mistakes. Even the most educated among us make mistakes. The important thing is how you respond to your mistake – try to really hear what someone is saying if they are explaining your mistake to you, without ego or defensiveness. If you get called out, apologize, learn from that mistake, and commit to changing your behavior going forward.
Don’t think that you know everything about another community or issue or talk more than the women you are standing in solidarity with. This is what is commonly called “speak up but not over.” It’s great to use your privilege and voice to educate others, but it’s important to do it in a way that doesn’t drown out the community members you are trying to support, or take credit for things. Listen as much as possible.
Your voice, your story, and your support can make a difference. Join For the Breast of Us in our mission to empower, support, and advocate for women of color across the globe. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the resources and support she needs to overcome breast cancer.
On the Web:
www.breastofus.com
www.breastofusfoundation.org
Email:
hello@breastofus.com
Welcome to our community—where hope thrives, strength is found, and sisters in the fight become family.
