Dear list members,
I am a doctoral student collecting data for my dissertation on allyship. Specifically, I'm studying exceptional allies (i.e., deeply committed White, male, heterosexual leaders/employees making sustained contributions to empowering/supporting people of color, women, LGBTQ employees). Below are my inclusion criteria for such exceptional/exemplary allies.
Exemplary allies:
(a) tap into their values and personal strengths in order to support optimal functioning of marginalized group members
(b) listen to, give credence to, and amplify the voices of marginalized group members
(c) display committed and dedicated responsiveness to marginalized group members and provide support in a manner that marginalized group members share is in their best interest
(d) are committed to continuously gaining knowledge and being informed about critical issues and experiences of the marginalized groups
(e) recognize their own power and privilege and make space for marginalized groups in places they aren't yet occupying
(f) go beyond expressing sympathy and 'get in the trenches' to work alongside marginalized groups to improve their conditions
(g) have a disposition to frequently act according to their ideals of inclusion, across life domains (including work and personal)
(h) possess a willingness to affirm their acts and to express the principles and the moral rationale underlying the acts
(i) possess a willingness to risk their self-interest for the sake of their values of inclusion
(j) tend to inspire other privileged group members to inclusive action
I am interviewing such allies in organizational and institutional contexts, including corporate, higher ed, non-profit, and public sector organizations. Do you have nominations for any such allies so I might be able to interview them? If so, please email me directly at Meg.Warren@cgu.edu.
Thanks for considering my request.
Best,
Meg
Meg Warren, MA, MBA
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Doctoral Candidate, Organizational Psychology
Claremont Graduate University, CA
www.megwarren.com