Portraits of Allyship
CLIENT:
Outside Business Journal
TITLE:
Portrats of Allyship: A special series
SERVICES:
Writing
We need to talk about allyship. Because for our world to become truly inclusive, equitable, and fully embrace diversity, we all need to be practicing it. Allyship is not easy. Allyship is not loud.. Allyship is not performative.
Allyship is how each of us shows up to support historically oppressed individuals and communities, including our own. The task at hand is enormous, and while collective action will help us create the equitable world we want to live in, the work must start humbly within each of us. And yes, the work is inevitably uncomfortable, even painful. Still, in practicing allyship, as one gives, one always receives.
There is no single “right” or “best” way to be an ally. Allyship may be a relatively new concept in the outdoor industry, but it’s not devoid of successful and diverse examples.
Yet we don’t often hear stories about or from allies, and with good reason. Jose Gonzales, founder of Latino Outdoors and partner of The Avarna Group, says it well. “The person doesn’t get to call themselves an ally; they get to practice allyship.” That is important to point out “because it allows putting into practice that idea of how you decenter yourself, and how you’re answering the question: How am I in service of this other individual, this other community, this other aspect of the work for which I don’t need to directly benefit from?”.
The work of allyship means inherently decentering oneself. Yet there is value—both educational and inspirational—in bringing to light the stories of allies.
In this special series, we celebrate the work of eight allies who make the work of diverse leaders in the outdoor industry stronger and, at times, even possible.
Are you moved and impacted by people that you consider allies? Celebrate them on social media and use #InspiringAllyship to join the conversation. Let’s show each other what allyship can be.
