We need to talk about Christianity* and Optical Allyship.

A thread

*some of this applies to #exvangelicals too.

(1)

Optical allyship (term coined by @glowmaven) also known as performative allyship, is making it look like you care about oppression but not doing the actual work of dismantling your biases.

(2)

Optical allyship is about you; it is about appeasing your conscience and getting accolades for appearing like you care about social justice, but not actually doing the work of becoming an ally to the oppressed.

(3)

Optical allyship is harmful because it gives you a sense of goodness that can be used to excuse your inaction, or it keeps you busy doing work for the wrong reasons, and perpetuating harm.

It is connected to the white savior complex and tokenism.
(4)

Optical allyship, tokenism and saviorism are common amongst Christians under the guise of “loving your neighbor”, “giving a voice to the voiceless”, “fighting for those who can’t fight”, and appearing multi-ethnic and inclusive. (5)

So long as the work of dismantling biases hasn’t been done, this is all performative, and you’ll perpetuate harm.

I’ve seen a few pastors and Christian leaders post about the last few incidents of racism in America.
(6)

These same people participate in white savior efforts in their work, tokenize, and protect people that have done horrific harm to Black communities.

(7)

And here is the thing, if you’ve done harm in the past by participating in mission trips, or adopting children because of the white savior complex, or doing any kind of “social justice” work because of the white savior complex, I understand, I did too. (8)

I led trips to Mexico, and Colombia, and worked w/an orphanages and a churches. We were all indoctrinated into this. But we don’t get to peeform right now if we are still participating in the harm, and protecting abusers. We don’t get to because WE ARE A PART OF THE PROBLEM. (9)

Truly caring about social justice, really wanting a better world for Black ppl, means you are dismantling white supremacy, you are willingly being held accountable for your actions, you are making amends or paying reparations when possible and appropriate,
(10)

you are not protecting abusers but demanding justice for their victims.

If you are using the horrific acts against Black ppl and speaking against that evil, while also not doing the actual work, then this is more for you, you are playing a game to appease your conscience, (11)

but you do not really care about the Black community.

I know we have been saying that silence means you are complicit, but speaking up to just make noise is not better than silence. (12)

Do the work, dismantle your biases, get uncomfortable, listen to Black ppl, not just the ones you are comfortable with, question your motivations, stop trying to protect your reputation, learn to care well. Heaven on earth isn’t possible unless you commit to this work.

(13)