Beyond Ally: The Pursuit of Racial Justice

by Maysa Akbar

Overview

Doing antiracist work can be profoundly transformational for White people. Not only does it allow them to live their values of justice and equality, but it also helps develop skills like listening, sharing power, and working through conflict.

Now more than ever, humanity must bridge the racial divides that exist within our society. 

Dr. Maysa Akbar, a race-based trauma expert, and originator of the Urban Trauma® framework, deftly delineates what the allyship process is for White people to align themselves with people of color through the lens of a person of color. 

Dr. Akbar illuminates the concept of White Privilege, the societal barrier which breeds and sustains racism, formulated by generations of oppression. She redefines previous frameworks of allyship, and through her new identity model of allyship, she constructs a much-needed pathway towards race-based rectification for White people.

We are facing a global tipping point with regard to racism. To be successful, White people must provide support in the right way. This book not only educates on how we got here but also shows how we address it and fix it moving forward. 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781951591397
Publisher:	Publish Your Purpose
Publication date:	07/11/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	228
File size:	7 MB

Table of Contents

Foreword xiv

Acknowledgments xviii

Preface xxiv

Introduction xxviii

PART I: WHITE TRAUMA

Chapter 1 History of Trauma

Urban Trauma Is Racism-Survivor 

Chapter 2 Navigating the Isms

Racism 

Patriotism versus Bigotry

STORY: Kristine Brown

Chapter 3 The Role of Bias in Isms

Bias in Public Issues: Gun Violence

Dealing with Bias: Code-Switching

 Chapter 4 Unconscious/Implicit Bias

 STORY: Dr. Noel Casiano

 PART II: DECONSTRUCTING WHITENESS

Chapter 5 White Privilege

Defining White Privilege

Criminal Justice

Substance Abuse 

Beyond Ally

Real Estate/Housing

Intersectionality: White Privileged and Poor 

Oppression Olympics: The Unforeseen Outcome of Privilege

Chapter 6 White Guilt/White Savior

 White Guilt: I Don't Say What I Mean and I Don't Mean What I Say

 White Fragility: Aren't I the Real Victim?

White Savior: I Am Not Racist

STORY: Lisa Votto, LMFT

Chapter 7 Unpacking White Women as Allies

Are White Women Complicit?

The Wrongfully Accused

Voting Rights

Not-For-Profit

Planned Parenthood

#MeToo

When White Women Show Up . . . Stand Up for Me

STORY: Sindri Anderson and Pamela Hopkins

PART III: THE PURSUIT OF RACIAL JUSTICE

Chapter 8 Steps toward an Inclusive Journey

Intentional Alliances

Poor Alliances

Alliance Models for Consideration

STORY: Dr. Ram Bhagat

Chapter 9

The Pursuit of Racial Justice

Building Alliances for Racial Justice

Allyship Identity Model: Supporter | Ally | Advocate | Accomplice | Equity Broker

Chapter 10 Equity Broker Transformation

Effectively Meeting the Challenges

When You Feel Overwhelmed by All the Things You Don't Know

When You Want to Retreat because It Feels Unsafe and It Feels Too Hard

When You Don't Know What to Say

When You Mistakenly Focus on "Good People"

Final Thoughts

Resources

Additional Thanks

References

Dear Reader

About the Author 

Editorial Reviews

“Beyond Ally is definitely a step in the direction towards the true liberation of people of color and the progress of all people. Ownership of dismantling systemic oppression belongs to us all, white people not being exempt. If ever there was a hand-book to lead the way, this is it. It is truly inspiring, something that we all need to read, and all need to work!” - Aida Rodriguez Comedian, Actress, Writer, and Activist

“This is a critical moment in our country’s history, and defeating systemic inequality will take allies who are committed to learning what it really means to fight racial injustice. An important and timely book, ‘Beyond Ally’ offers a detailed road map for those of us who want to help build a more just and equitable world.” - Peter T. Grauer Chairman of the Board, Bloomberg LP

“At this moment in time, a swell of white people are recognizing their role in the racism that pervades our planet. The risk to this movement is helpless paralysis when the full scope of the problem is realized. Dr. Akbar warmly invites the reader into the challenging process of self-reflection and encourages them to engage in the work of racial justice. Beyond Ally is an expertly timed road map for white people ready to address how race and racism impact their lives.” - Candice Norcott, PhD University of Chicago Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience

“As the world may now be ready to tackle systemic racism, Dr. Akbar highlights the important role white people can play as agents of change and allies for racial justice. Beyond Ally positions, in a real and actionable way, a concept of everyday allyship which is intentional and consistent in order to support people who truly seek to commit to taking a stand against racism and make a difference.” - Erika Irish Brown Chief Diversity Officer Goldman Sachs

“Dr. Akbar tells it like it is and tells it like it should be told. She writes a raw and honest book about race, whiteness, the racial trauma that lives in our communities and in our bodies. She gives readers, especially white readers, a blueprint for how to begin the process of moving beyond allyship into becoming more active agents of change.” -Dena Simmons, Ed.D Assistant Director at Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

“As a Hmong American woman psychologist, the personal stories of racism that the author shared resonated with so many of my own. To me, this confirms the need to move beyond being an ally. This book has the potential to start powerful conversations and personal growth. The author presents thought-provoking questions- yet the work toward change remains in the hands of the reader and the author is very clear about that. This is a much-needed book!” - Talee Vang, PsyD., LP Expert in diversity, equity, trauma, and health psychology

From the Publisher