PSA to self proclaimed white allies: since y’all like to forget the basic rules of allyship, ima make a thread. YOU’RE WELCOME.

1. You CANNOT just call yourself an ally. True allyship is doing the work to create a safe space for Black people and POC without worrying about whether or not you have the title of ally. You don’t get to decide you’re an ally.

2. (This one is important) LISTEN TO BLACK FOLKS. Especially Black women. Being an ally means being willing to shut up and listen to how you can do better by us and for us. That can’t happen if you’re constantly trying to defend yourself and convince us you’re a good person

To elaborate on number 2, true allyship is HARD and very uncomfortable. Do it anyway. Recognize that your hurt feelings are not the priority, and that just because you mean well, you can (and often do) still cause harm. LISTEN and stop being defensive.

3. A direct result of doing 1 and 2 incorrectly. CLAIM YOUR RACISTS. Read that again. Racism and white supremacy are centuries-old systems that stand to benefit YOU, whether you want to be an ally or not. They also make “Karen’s” possible. You can’t separate yourself from that.

This one is difficult for a lot of people. You cannot separate yourself from the same system that allows people to be violently racist. Take accountability for the part you also play in preserving that system. Black peoples don’t have the same privilege to be able to-

Separate ourselves from Black ppl who do bad things. We’re a collective and the system that benefits you makes it so that whatever we do as individuals becomes representative of our entire race. Understand that and understand why wanting to “not claim” bad yts is problematic.

4. SILENCE IS COMPLIANCE. I can almost guarantee that as a white person you have witnessed overt racism both in real life & online. I can also guarantee that you don’t always call it out when you see it. That makes you compliant. Racism isn’t a difference of opinion. Do better.

5. Performative activism is not helpful. Posting black squares on your instagram and having BLM in your bio is cute, but what are you doing outside of the internet antics? Are you donating? Signing petitions? Creating space for Black people to talk about our experiences?

Are you having difficult conversations with your racist friends and family members? When you see a Black person being stopped by the cops, do you stop and make sure they know your presence is known? That could literally save a life.

When you see racism happening or potentially happening, how are you tangibly using your privilege to prevent it or to lessen the blow for the victim? This reinforces my point in numbers 1 and 4. If you’re talking about it you better be about it 100% of the time.

6. This one is very relevant in the online context. KEEP YOIR WHITE OPINION OUT OF INTRARACIAL BLACK ISSUES. if Black people are holding discourse about things happening within the Black community that affect only us, that is not your opportunity to insert yourself.

An example of this is when Black people are talking about the way Black men treat Black women, that is OUR discussion. Your input is not only not needed, but speaking on the topic is literally speaking over Black folks. Sit this one out.

That being said, and this takes me into number 7. WHITE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS NEED TO CALL OUT THEIR PARTNER’S ANTIBLACKNESS. I know this sounds contradictory to my last point about staying out of our business, but when you involve yourself romantically-

With Black people, it is your responsibility to recognize when and if they display anti black sentiments and to shut that shit down. This one is difficult. If your Black husband is saying he loves Yt women because Black women are loud, ghetto, etc. you identify that and speak up

If your Black wife is saying she’s with you because Black men hate her, recognize first the treatment of Black women by Black men and understand why she would feel abandoned by her own men, but make it clear that you are an individual and that your love for her does not-

Erase the actions of good Black men, nor does it erase her ability to exist and navigate her life as a Black woman. You are simply along for the ride. (Understand that a lot of Black people do not agree with this part, and that’s okay)

8. Black people are not required to educate you!! Understand that a lot of us will do it willingly, but do not ever demand to be educated. It’s not our job to teach you how to be better, and frankly we’re tired of having to do so. You need to be willing to educate yourself or PAY

If you really think there’s someone in particular you want to listen to and learn from, offer to pay them for their information! We’re don’t like exerting emotional labor for free. Black women especially, we do this constantly already. Money is always welcome.

There are a lot of good points that could be made but I think these will do for a great start for those who truly want to learn and be better. Hope y’all enjoyed!