White Antiracist Allyship: A Literature Review of Definitions, Development, and Praxis

• In Event: The Development of “Allyship” and Critical Action among White People over the Lifecourse

Abstract

Following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, an unprecedented demonstration of outrage erupted demanding structural change. Millions of Americans and protestors around the world took to the streets in an act of unity and solidarity for legislation combatting systemic racism (Buchanan, Bui, & Patel, 2020). Among the protestors were countless white individuals, whose engagement with racial justice resurfaces decades old crucial questions regarding the nature of white allyship and critical action. This paper consolidates and revisits the academic literature’s responses to some of these questions over the past fifty years.
Given the monumental importance of combatting systemic racism, it is imperative that prospective white allies understand allyship and their roles in disrupting systems of oppression, power and privilege (Boutte & Jackson, 2014; Roades & Mio, 2000; Spanierman & Smith, 2017). Therefore, this review presents many definitions and roles of allyship (Goodman, 2011; Reason, Scales, & Millar, 2005; Spanierman & Smith, 2017), in addition to important distinctions between allied or critical action, support, volunteerism, and performativity (Ahmed, 2004; Endres & Gould, 2009; Erskine & Bilimoria, 2019). We also highlight key indicators of critical action and allyship, such as lifelong commitment and consistency, tension, recognition of privilege and whiteness, and commitment to listening and learning (Brown & Ostrove, 2013; Case, 2012; Dreher, 2009; Reason, 2007; Roades & Mio, 2000; Swan, 2017).
Other questions this paper asks of the literature include what are some of the behaviors of allyship, and what sort of challenges should prospective allies anticipate? Among many noted behaviors, there is a resounding literary consensus that white allyship routinely engages in critical self-reflexivity regarding white allies’ privilege and personal role in sustaining racism, making whiteness visible, and disrupting the status quo, often through daily acts of confronting racism (Boutte & Jackson, 2014; Case, 2012; Frankenberg, 1993; Liu, 2017; Smith & Redington, 2010; Tatum, 1994). White allies have been documented as expressing frequent fear, tension and loss of personal relationships, and should anticipate justifiable suspicion (and support) from members of groups with whom they seek allyship (Baldwin, 1965; Reason et al., 2005; Roades & Mio, 2000).
In order to encourage continued structural change, this review also asks the important question of what are some antecedents to white antiracist allyship development, and how is allyship sustained? Though numerous antecedents emerge, including positive values and life experiences, we find two key themes: role models and developing critical consciousness (Ayvazian, 2004; Case, 2012; Detert & Bruno, 2017; Freire, 1970; Hershberg & Johnson, 2019; Reason, 2007). Even among prospective white allies who possess essential knowledge of privilege and whiteness, literature suggests that allyship requires that the experience of being white not be equated to whiteness. Critical reflection, it is suggested, may help bridge that gap (Endres & Gould, 2009).
In short, this review consolidates decades of research around difficult questions in white allyship. It is our hope that through this consolidation, prospective and lifelong allies are offered a resource through which they can fight for antiracist systemic change.

Author

• Michael Blake Frisby, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
  Presenting Author