I’d reframe this. One rarely asked, but quite legitimate, question is this: What do we owe to our allies? If structurally oppressed people are going to say that their allies have an obligation to defer to them (politically, epistemically, etc.), what is owed to them in return?
It’s a big thing, asking someone to entrust their energy and political judgment to you! I think Jade Schaff (Oberlin) wrote something about this, but can’t find it now. Anyway, it’s a legitimate issue that will not/should not go away.
To be clear: I don’t mean “what is owed” in the “what do we get in return?” sense. Rather, what obligation of care, of consideration, of caution does such a relationship create for the allied-with party?
*Schiff
