Twenty-five ways of being an effective ally

1. work to develop an understanding on your own of the personal and institutional experiences of target group members rather than expecting to be taught
2. choose to align yourself publicly and privately with members of target groups
3. take risks
4. expect to make some mistakes and do not use that as an excuse for non-action
5. don't expect people to thank you for what you're doing
6. believe that it is in your self interest to be an ally
7. commit yourself to a process of personal growth that is necessary to be effective
8. be willing to learn from history
9. take a stand
10. be honest
11. provide information and resources
12. don't overpersonalize members' of targeted groups words or actions
13. understand the importance of social context for interpreting targeted group members' ideas or actions
14. don't pass ignorance to children
15. take responsibility to share your stands with other members of dominant groups
16. teach children and others to celebrate and appreciate individual and cultural differences as well as human commonality
17. recognize strength in numbers; get support from other allies
18. do your homework
19. be able to acknowledge and articulate how patterns of oppression and privilege have operated in your own life
20. listen
21. be willing to initiate change toward personal, institutional and societal justice and equality
22. promote a sense of inclusiveness in any organization you work in
23. be able to say "I was wrong" and move on - don't let yourself get mired down with guilt
24. step out of the "missionary" role
25. have fun and cultivate a good sense of humor

Developed from resources by Patricia Shropshire Waters, Shawn-Eric Brooks, Vernon A. Wall, Paul Kivel, & Frances E. Kendall