Anti-Racist Ally by Sophie Williams

What is it about?

You want to be an anti-racist ally? This book is the right place to start.

OK, but what is it really about?

As Sophie Williams so aptly writes, “saying ‘I’m not racist’ is a good place to start, but it’s the absolute bare minimum. (…) Not being racist is the right foundation, but it’s a passive state. It’s not allyship. To be an effective anti-racist ally, we all need to be actively anti-racist.”

In this small, but powerful book, Williams - a leading anti-racism activist and advocate - guides her readers step by to step through the process of becoming an anti-racist ally. In short and bite-sized chapters, she dives into general concepts and basics ideas. More than that, Williams also manages to include deeper insights into this issue, calls-to-action, and what to do next.

What I love most about this book is that it is uncompromising and straightforward. Williams doesn’t mince words - and why should she, there simply isn’t time for that. At the same time, she never comes across as patronizing. Quite the contrary, actually, this book is meant as an encouragement for everyone who may still be reluctant (for whatever reasons) to join the fight and become a true ally.

Is it any good?

It sometimes feels like the debate about racial discrimination and social justice is finally at the forefront of many discussions, be it in politics, media or everyday life, thanks to the activists who have fought for equality their whole lives and continue doing so. It’s not only an issue in the US, but in many countries across the globe, including here in Germany. But the more we talk about it, the more threatened, uncomfortable or offended a lot of people feel.

Only recently I read an article in a German newspaper that left me dumbfounded because the author accused anti-racist activists to benefit from their activism and having it turned into a lucrative business model. The article caused a shitstorm on Twitter, based on which the author followed up with another opinion piece that was even harder to stomach than her original article because not only did she double down, but also dabbled in victim blaming. At the same time, she acknowledged that she had to learn a lot of new terms to even understand what some people were talking about, including the word “ally.” Here’s a thought: if you can’t even do the most basic research on a topic, perhaps you shouldn’t write an op-ed about it?

But what this incident has shown me is this: there’s still a lot of work to be done. That’s why books such as this one are so important. Buy it, read it, talk about it, give it to your friends and your foes. And then continue to speak up. I know I’ll try. I know I have to. I know I will.

Most memorable quote?

“We need you to be part of the change.” (It really is and should be as simple as that.)

Conclusion?

I have been reading a lot about systematic racism recently. As a Person of Color myself, I find it empowering, for one, but also comforting because it gives me the feeling that I am not alone. I draw strength from that.

Why are you only starting to become more involved and more interested in this issue now, some of you may wonder. While this is not entirely correct - the interest has always been there, if only on a more sub-conscious level) - there is a certain truth to it. There are many, many things about my childhood and youth that I can only understand now as an adult. At the same time, I may have been feeling and thinking about the questions of race, identity and home my whole life, but I never dared to be outspoken and vocal about it. Why not? Because I am a person who shies away from conflict. But at some point, I realized, staying silent doesn’t help anyone, least of all myself. The time for change is now. And we need you to be part of the change.

AT A GLANCE

Title: Anti-Racist Ally: An Introduction to Action and Activism

Author: Sophie Williams

Published by: HQ (2020)

Pages: 128

Language: English