Reach
Offer support and comfort.Check out your friends who don't look like you when a high-level tragedy or incident occurs. Affirm that you are there for them in any way they need.
Learn and inform others
Do your research.Do what you can to educate yourself before asking others to explain things to you. There are a multitude of resources available online. Google is your friend.
Ask questions if necessary.We are all learning and it is OK to ask questions.
But be careful who you ask, says writer Courtney Ariel. Do not rely too much on people of color or other marginalized groups to be your "experts".
It is best if the person you are asking is someone with whom you already have a solid relationship. And be prepared to accept that some people do not want to discuss these things with you.
Refresh the story.Ask "How could such a thing happen?" when another encounter with the police becomes murderous may seem deaf to communities that have long faced entrenched systems of oppression, writes Ariel. Make sure you are up to date before weighing.
Influence people in your own group.Talk to people in your own life, especially those who share your identity, wrote Jamie Utt for Everyday Feminism. Inform your friends and family about how systems of oppression affect marginalized groups. Hold them accountable for their words and actions, and the roles they can play in these systems.
Teach your children.It is never too early. Explain explicitly to your children about racism and other forms of discrimination. Don't teach them to be "color blind," says author Jennifer Harvey. Let them know it's important to note the differences and teach them to stand up for others.
Admit your mistakes.Allyship is a process. Along the way, you are sure to do or say the wrong thing from time to time. Don't be defensive. Take responsibility for slippages. And better go ahead.
Listen
Recognize your privilege.According to Frances Kendall, organizational change consultant, an essential aspect of the alliance is to recognize the benefits and power that you have in society because of the identity with which you were born. Be aware of yourself and be ready to go against those who share your privileges.
Pay attention.
Racism and other forms of oppression are everywhere, even if you don't experience them yourself. Practice noticing them on a personal and institutional level, says writer and activist Paul Kivel. Take note of what is said (and what is not) and who is there (and who is not). Recognize how prejudice, discrimination and oppression are denied, minimized or justified.
Know when to speak less.It's not about you. You don't have to comment on each situation with your own point of view, or do everything you can to prove how conscious or educated you are, says Ariel. Raise others without speaking for them. Let others have the microphone to change.
Understand the experiences of others.Instead of expressing your own thoughts, listen to marginalized people when they tell you about their experiences, frustrations and emotions. Sit with it for a while.
get up
Build networks.You cannot do this work alone. Find other allies you can work with and hold each other accountable. Collaborate with organizations that do the same job as you. Support people of color who are leaders.
Use your privilege to help others.It can be scary, but take risks, writes Kivel. Call injustice or discrimination when you see it. Intervene when you see cases of racism or other situations that seem dangerous.
Use the 5 Ds of spectator intervention. This involves defusing the situation, calling others for help, checking with the person involved, speaking up and documenting what is going on.
Know your rights when you record a video.The Constitution allows you to film police on duty, as long as you do not interfere with their activities. Keep a safe distance. Capture signs or landmarks that help identify the location.
Share your concerns with those in power.Know who your local legislators and politicians are (go here to find the full list of your elected officials) and how to contact them. Here's a great Twitter feed from a former congressman on how to get politicians to listen.
Be united.Walk alongside people from marginalized groups during protests and protests.
Give your time and your money.This could take many forms, says Ariel. Offer to help people who could benefit from your expertise. Help a family pay their bills. Identify the organizations whose work fits your goals and give what you can.
Vote.Make sure you are registered. And do it in every election, not just the big ones.
