Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, and the Role of Allies

Abstract

This chapter explores the concept of allyship in social justice struggles. It provides a road map for self-reflection as well as acquisition of skills necessary for effective allyship. It describes appropriate roles for allies in dismantling systems and structures that protect the privilege of the majority in various contexts – privilege often unseen, unacknowledged and/or actively denied. This chapter will examine unique roles of allies in exposing, challenging, and dismantling privilege and white supremacy. Concrete examples of benefits that have accrued to white Americans through privilege – both conscious and unconscious, are assessed. The reader will be encouraged to explore personal areas of privilege and marginalization and acknowledge multidimensional identities (race, ethnicity, gender, class, ability, etc.) of individuals and unique lived experiences. Those seeking authentic positions of allyship are challenged to root out embedded privilege/white supremacy through direct action.

Citation

Hedrick, B. (2023), "Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, and the Role of Allies", Lalas, J.W. and Strikwerda, H.L. (Ed.) Contextualizing Critical Race Theory on Inclusive Education From a Scholar-Practitioner Perspective (International Perspectives on Inclusive Education, Vol. 22), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 207-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620230000022012