Allyship

Models of Allyship

There are several models of allyship that center on various marginalized groups (e.g., racial and ethnic groups, gender and sexual minorities, those with disabilities). What these models tend to focus on is the process of allyship and the stages of development that allies may encounter as they aspire toward allyship. Some models tend to be static and linear where others may be more fluid in their approach of allyship. Models do provide a foundation for the process of allyship; however, there are limitations to these models. For example, some tend to lack intersectionality as an individual may hold both privileged and marginalized identities in their allyship. Also some of these models are not empirically supported and additional evidence of their effectiveness is needed. The following paragraph describes a few different models of allyship that are inclusive of marginalized groups as a whole.

The six-step model to becoming an ally developed by Anne Bishop and the model for becoming an ally developed by Nancy Evans and Jamie Washington focus on awareness, understanding, and education of oppression, which then leads into developing skills and taking action. The six interconnecting steps within Bishop’s model are (1) understanding oppression, how it came about, how it is held in place, and how we continually recreate it; (2) understanding different types of oppression, including how they are similar, how they are different, and how they reinforce each other; (3) consciousness and healing; (4) working on one’s own liberation; (5) becoming an ally; and (6) maintaining hope. Washington and Evans’s model for becoming an ally includes four areas: (1) awareness, (2) education, (3) skills, and (4) action. Keith Edwards’s aspiring social justice ally identity development model specifically addresses the “why” to allyship. Edwards’s model has three areas: (1) aspiring ally for self-interest, (2) aspiring ally for altruism, and (3) ally for social justice. The model focuses on the decision making or interest in allyship.

There is a similar process throughout each of these models. Ultimately, when thinking about allyship, it is important to understand that privileged individuals should not assume that because [Page 70]they have educated themselves and engaged in advocacy, they are an ally. Allyship is an identity that must be bestowed on those with privileged identities by those who are from the marginalized groups that professionals seek to advocate for, with, and on behalf of.

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