Fellows’ Roundtable Report: Allyship, White Sanction, and Privilege

The Institute for Educational & Social Equity, the UK’s only independent tertiary-level EDI institution, recently hosted its second Fellows’ Roundtable event. Led by Fellow Richard Race, attendees from various organisations discussed allyship and white sanction. This report highlights key insights on allyship, recognising privilege, and strategies for addressing poor forms of allyship.

The Institute for Educational & Social Equity hosted its second Fellows’ Roundtable event, delivered by our Fellow Richard Race. There was great attendance at this event including members and fellows from The British University of Egypt, Durham University, Kirklees Council and many other organisations. There were two important discussions that were the main theme of the event, one being allyship and the other white sanction, sparking engaging discussions about various forms and implications.

Defining Allyship:

The discussion began by distinguishing between two types of allyship: formal and informal. Informal allyship was described as everyday acts of support and kindness and common courtesy in informal settings. Several fellows agreed that informal allyship is not just about how one speaks of someone in their presence, but more importantly, how one speaks of them in their absence.

The Purpose of Allyship

A recurring theme was that true allyship should benefit others rather than serve as self-promotion. Genuine allyship involves using one's power to amplify the voices of those who lack the same power or privilege. This led to a deeper discussion on the concepts of White Sanction and Privilege.

White Sanction and Privilege

The concept of White Sanction was introduced as a framework for understanding and addressing power imbalances. It emphasised that white people should use their privilege to support marginalised groups effectively and with respect. Allies were described as friends of a cause who should elevate, not overshadow, those they support.

The importance of recognising one's own privilege was also highlighted, noting that everyone has some privilege that can be used to help others using examples such as a black person facing racial judgement but still having male privilege. The key takeaway was the importance of recognising one's own power and using it to elevate others who lack similar advantages.

Addressing Poor Forms of Allyship

Reflecting on poorer forms of allyship, the discussion turned to issues like tokenism and the potential for gaslighting or victim-blaming in response to microaggressions. It was noted that while these issues are common, there is often a lack of understanding about how to address them. Educating young people on microaggressions and using tools like the privilege pie as visual aids were suggested as effective strategies.

Conclusion and Future Discussions

The Fellows’ Roundtable provided a stimulating platform for these important discussions. To continue this momentum, a few critical questions were raised for the next Fellows' Roundtable: What cause are you allied with, and how are you using your privilege? We look forward to continuing this conversation with our members and Fellows in the third Fellows’ Roundtable. Become a member today and stay informed about our upcoming events.