someone holding a poster with the words "Black Lives Matter" written on it at a protest.

How to be a good ally

Posted on June 3, 2020

Isabella Silvers, Associate Editor at Hearst Magazines UK, and former Creative Access intern, shares her nine tips for being a good ally. In these traumatic times, many non-Black people are asking what can be done to support fight systemic racism so we are grateful to Isabella for sharing her thoughts:

  1. Do not share videos of black people dying on social media. Black people know what’s happening and it’s traumatic to see it.
  2. Do be vocal when an incident occurs. State loudly and proudly that this behaviour is unacceptable and that Black lives matter.
  3. Do use your voice to call out systemic racism and murder whenever you can. Say that you stand with black people and that you do not accept the actions of anyone who shows racism or unconscious bias. Call out this behaviour whenever and wherever you see it (when it is safe to do so); this includes at work, in your friendship group, within your family and more.
  4. Do write to your MP and politicians to put pressure on them to see consequences for those who exhibit racist behaviour. Ask them what they’ll be doing and demand justice for the victims of systemic racism.
  5. Do challenge those you work with or your employer and ask what they will be doing to be an inclusive company and stand up for Black people.
  6. Do Sign petitions from legitimate sources, such as Change.org or Petition.Parliament.co.uk
  7. Do donate to legitimate fundraisers, funeral funds, bail funds for protesters and organisations fighting against systemic racism.
  8. Do educate yourself. While Black people are grieving, it can be exhausting to be asked to educate non-Black people. There are lots of resources online and on social media on how you can be a better ally.
  9. Do seek out perspectives other than your own in film, TV, literature and more. Seek out different stories, biographies and shows.

You can follow Isabella on Twitter and Instagram