HR: How to Be an Ally for Diversity and Inclusion

An ally is someone who understands their privilege and acknowledges the power they have to help dismantle oppression. To be an ally is to take action, interrupt discrimination, and resist oppression. Allies are lifelong learners. They aim to understand how people experience injustice, and they know that—ultimately—it’s not about them.

As an ally, you can sponsor others and advocate for their success. You can be someone’s public champion, and you can be an upstander who pushes back against offensive behavior. You can also amplify a person’s voice when they’re silenced, and you can be a confidant to those who have a story to share. The opportunities are wide-reaching—all you have to do is take action.

Listen to others. One of the most important aspects of being an ally is to listen to as many voices as you can. Hearing from just one person and how they experience oppression isn’t enough. While you may find common themes, everyone’s experiences and opinions are unique. And so, the more you listen, the more you’ll understand—and the more you can help.