I've been meaning to talk about this and this gives me a great starting off point, so let's talk about allyship (thread) https://twitter.com/TatianaTMac/status/1386677871456886787

I also don't have "ally" or BLM in my bio and this is absolutely intentional.

Many of the folks I want to support have learned to distrust these indicators. There are folks operating in Bad Faith but also many folks who are just being performative (intentionally or accidentally)

Unfortunately there are many, many examples of Black activists being talked over or being tone-policed, shouted down, ignored, or otherwise talked down to by (usually) white folks who are missing the point or centering the conversation on themselves.

So how can I/we show support in a way that doesn't match the signal that performative folks are using; how do I/we show our sincerity?

Actions.

I'll give a few examples below.

Follow more folks in the communities you want to protect and amplify.

Want to help more trans folks? Follow a bunch. Listen and learn their concerns, their humor, their language.

Same for Black folks (in and out of tech circles).

While following these people do NOT interject yourself/your experiences without first establishing a relationship.

It's easier to have those conversations when you are a friend and not just a random stranger/new follower. Keep in mind this context. You need to build something.

It doesn't matter if I'm friends with a few dozen trans folks already if I wander into a new person's conversation and interject myself; how are they going to know who I am or if I'm someone they can trust to talk in good faith?

Keep this in mind; we're frequently strangers.

How can I show the folks I want to support that I want to support them without talking about my own experiences or centering the conversation on my behavior (e.g. cookie-seeking)?

Amplify their voices.

One of the best ways to do this is also one of the simplest: a normal retweet.

Retweeting a message that a community is passionate about and avoiding accidentally centering the conversation on yourself by avoiding the quote tweet is an easy way to show support.

If you are showing up to the conversation and amplifying their voices without making it a "look how great I am for helping out!" type of message (and I believe you when you say that's not what you intended to do but it's what they often see) they WILL see and know you care.

"But what if I have something relevant to add?" Hey that happens! And sometimes it's good to do a QT. The trick is listening enough to know the difference.

Once you know their language you can speak without accidental offense.

So first step is to follow and learn, second step is to amplify the important messages without putting yourself in the conversation where not necessary, and then using your own voice when you have gained enough knowledge to avoid appearing performative.

You got this!

(also: I'm not perfect but I try to do a good example. Don't take me as the final word on this; it's just my experience/opinion here)

One more note: if you want to judge the quality of my advice here look to see how many folks from marginalized communities hit the "heart" or, even better, retweet this message.

If a lot of them do I'm probably saying something they approve of. If they don't I probably messed up