Revisiting White Allyship: Peer-Reviewed Responses to Foundational Questions and Future Research

• In Event: Power, Intersectionality, and Solidarity Within Youth and Community Organizing

Abstract

In the wake of the recent murder of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, unprecedented protests erupted demanding structural change as the nation mourned. Millions of Americans and thousands worldwide are estimated to have protested in pursuit of racial justice (Buchanan, Bui, & Patel, 2020). Among these protesters, countless white individuals lent their support in a well-intended show of solidarity and outrage. Moreover, many corporations lent their support to the movement, sparking an important discussion over whether the commitment was genuine or hollow, and thus begging the question of what authentic allyship looks like (Sherman, 2020). This paper investigates the topic of white allyship by conducting an extensive review of the peer-reviewed literature to answer pertinent questions regarding the philosophy and behavior of white allies.

As a nation, we appear to be experiencing unprecedented awareness of structural racism and support for structural change. Yet, in order to truly stand as allies and contribute to structural changes that avoid the oppressive mistakes of the past, it is imperative that white Americans understand the role and nature of allyship (Erskine & Bilimoria, 2019; Freire, 1970; Spanierman & Smith, 2017). It is also crucial that the actions of white allies are non-performative, rather than well-intended, yet hollow and potentially harmful vocal support (Ahmed, 2004; Spanierman & Smith, 2017).

To support these changes, this paper aims to answer some of the foundational questions of white allyship. What does it mean, for example, to be a white ally? Some emphasize the need for ongoing critical self-reflexivity and sociopolitical action with (not for) people of color (Case, 2012; Freire, 1970), while others highlight ongoing commitment and leveraging of white privilege to promote equity (Ahmed, 2004; Goodman, 2011). Many other questions also need clarity. For example, what are some of the behaviors expected of white allies? What are some of the benefits and outcomes of white allyship, and for whom? What can individuals such as professors, or organizations such as schools do to encourage the development of white allyship, and what kinds of challenges should they and future allies anticipate (DiAngelo, 2018; Reason, Scales, & Millar, 2005)?

To organize the peer-reviewed literature’s responses to these and other questions regarding white allyship, we have conducted an extensive, purposive sampling of the ERIC, Sociological Abstracts, and PsycInfo databases, in addition to snowball sampling the bibliographies of the relevant literature (Gough, Oliver, & Thomas, 2017). In doing so, we also explicate gaps in the literature, and suggest promising areas where future research is needed such as the individual and organizational antecedents to allyship and critical consciousness in more privileged youth. It is our hope that by consolidating the literature and by spotlighting important questions on white allyship, all prospective allies, white social justice activists, schools, administrators, and ally educators are able to better understand what allyship entails, and ultimately seize an important turning point in American sociopolitical culture to bring long overdue social justice.

Author

• Michael Frisby, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor