I am seen and judged as a straight white male. My role is to be an ally. To support others as we fight together for justice, equal rights and the embracing of who we all are as a group and as individuals. But as an ally I have to act and think differently than those I support.
Tutu and Mandela are the leaders I grew into and who educated me. They were humanity at its pinnacle - embracing those who hate them and wished them harm. Embraced them with warmth and a smile and love. But I cannot do that. My role as an ally is different.
Because much of the harm targeted at those I support comes from people who look like me- I cannot give them the same warmth and love. Us allies have to be the hard voice. The one that shakes with anger. The one who stands up in power. Always.
Anything but strength and clarity from us will make both those we support and those we oppose look at us as sitting on the fence. We cannot. Sometimes we can and must say what others can’t- because we know the soul of those we spew hate.
My point - know the role of an ally. It isn’t always to support with a good word. It is often to provide a hard and different voice against those we oppose.
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