Acknowledge, Solidarity & Allyship (A.S.A.)
Action (noun)
/ˈakSH(ə)n/
Definition of Action
1 : the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
2 : a thing done; an act.
Right now, everyone is searching, reaching for what they can do. How they can help, what they should say, what they should definitely not say, how to not virtue signal, how to be proximate but not intrusive. Volumes of resources have been compiled with every book you should read, TV show you should binge, movie you should watch and language you should abandon. Especially for those who may be new to understanding systemic racism there is a lot of information to synthesize. As you build a reservoir of personal awareness, you’re still proximate to humans who need you, regardless of where you are on your learning journey. If you lead an organization, lead a large team, manage a small team, work with other humans to do your job, see other humans in your building or on your block, bump into humans at the grocery store or just talk to a friend once in a while, there are three things you can do now. Not tomorrow. Right now. We call this A.S.A. - Acknowledgement. Solidarity. Allyship.
1. Acknowledgement
Sometimes you just have to say it out loud, there is power in words, especially from those who have power. Not hollow words or virtue signaling, but acknowledgement that comes from a place of emotional intelligence to the people who need to hear you say it is important.
Everyone is not ok
Everything won’t get better anytime soon
Not everyone shares the same truth and we need to do the hard work of understanding
2. Solidarity
Now is the exact ‘right time’ to let people know they are not alone. This is affecting all of us. Don’t try to manage it by yourself and don’t let others around you feel alone. Yes you might say the wrong thing, that’s ok, but don’t assume people know you’re there for them. Make sure they know.
Be a leader and show you care by ‘standing’ next to, in front of, or behind those that need you most right now.
3. Allyship
Make progress. Not excuses! Do this through intentional actions daily.
Be highly visibly where appropriate in service of your colleagues, friends and family.
Locate your power. Make effective use of your privilege, power and influence to effect systemic change. Specifically, in places where underrepresented groups don’t have access and where their voices are diminished because of “who they are.” Do you manage someone who is othered? Do you have a parent, partner or friend who doesn’t understand why saying “all lives matter” is divisive? Jump in.
You cannot fix the system all by yourself, but the system cannot be fixed without you. Push through the fear, uncertainty and doubt that holds you back. Own what happens right now, where you are.
