Briefly explain each of the following tactics that a person from a dominant group can use to be or act like an ally for people of color: assume racism is everywhere, notice who is at the center of attention and who is at the center of power, take a stand against injustice, don’t name-call or be personally abusive.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Being or acting like an ally on behalf of oppressed groups is part of a personal journey for social justice advocacy for counselors from a more privileged class following certain guidelines. One such guideline is to assume racism is everywhere, every day. This guideline is analogous to the universal precaution against disease among medical workers who must wear gloves before examining any patient. The professional assumes that clients’ lives are affected by racism, every day, and the majority group, due to the fact that the privilege of being White affords them the benefit not to deal with racism all the time, is largely unaware. Another guideline for social justice competency and advocacy is to notice who is at the center of attention and who is at the center of power. This guideline makes it possible to become aware that racism works by singling out people of color for violence or blame of violence, which helps strengthen White people’s positions of power and privilege. Taking a stand against injustice involves action on the part of the professional that can be risky. It conjures feelings of selling out, self-doubt, and questioning the self about doing the right thing. Ultimately, it means intervening on behalf of the oppressed, in situations where racism manifests, as a necessary moral imperative. A competent social justice professional refrains from name-calling or being personally abusive as a means of exercising power and control. People who get abused usually are less powerful, and because counselors have power, particularly those from dominant groups, it is easy to use name-calling and abusive language to control clients of color. It is important to note that avoiding such name-calling and abuse does not address the systematic issue of racism, prejudice, and discrimination that may be contributing to clients’ presenting concerns. To become an ally may not be easy, but remains a personal journey on behalf of the oppressed clients.