Allyship and Equity Community

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!

Growing up in a black family, I was taught to gain my voice. I saw my parents experience discrimination, especially my father. I then experienced it as well. I have always spoken up and used my words wisely as a source of power. I am blessed to say that speaking up for those whose voices have been diminished is my passion. It does not always make me popular and has labeled me in some situations. However, I have to stand up for what I know to be right, fair, and just. I help people to gain their voices through mentorship and through sharing my own experiences. If you have your ducks in order, your documentation, etc., then you speak with a voice of authority that is much harder for people to brush off and silence.

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!

Thank you for your perspective.  Having my voice doesn't seem to be an issue, it is using it in a system that was built to ignore that voice and provide me no support when I need it.

Growing up in a black family, I was taught to gain my voice. I saw my parents experience discrimination, especially my father. I then experienced it as well. I have always spoken up and used my words wisely as a source of power. I am blessed to say that speaking up for those whose voices have been diminished is my passion. It does not always make me popular and has labeled me in some situations. However, I have to stand up for what I know to be right, fair, and just. I help people to gain their voices through mentorship and through sharing my own experiences. If you have your ducks in order, your documentation, etc., then you speak with a voice of authority that is much harder for people to brush off and silence.

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!

Faye, what you brought up about an unsupportive system is saddening and unfortunately unsurprising. This is a topic that is in itself a rabbit hole, understanding why there is such dismissiveness en masse in the first place and how to navigate the path to change it. The onus shouldn't rest on you alone. The excuses for dismissiveness can come from a lot of places: apathy, discomfort, fear, how they feel they should respond politically or socially…or simply not knowing how to make a difference. All I can say is that I look up to your strength in continuing to speak up despite the uphill battle you face. 

Thank you for your perspective.  Having my voice doesn't seem to be an issue, it is using it in a system that was built to ignore that voice and provide me no support when I need it.

Growing up in a black family, I was taught to gain my voice. I saw my parents experience discrimination, especially my father. I then experienced it as well. I have always spoken up and used my words wisely as a source of power. I am blessed to say that speaking up for those whose voices have been diminished is my passion. It does not always make me popular and has labeled me in some situations. However, I have to stand up for what I know to be right, fair, and just. I help people to gain their voices through mentorship and through sharing my own experiences. If you have your ducks in order, your documentation, etc., then you speak with a voice of authority that is much harder for people to brush off and silence.

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!

Julia

Thank you for the kind words, what I see sometimes is, parking is an unpopular cash cow, no one likes getting ticketed, but we are pressured to bring in that money.  Which I can easily do with the resources to do the work, without it we are just treading water and keeping our noses inches from going under.

  It's good that the industry is just starting to think about mental health and the long-term effects of being treated horribly as a course of doing business.  Add misogyny, racism, and political agendas and it's just a meltdown recipe, but you're not allowed to do that, or you get called all the predictable names, my favorite is the angry black woman syndrome.  It negates the fact that sometimes there is a reason to be angry, just another way to silence.

Even when you communicate without raising your voice.  Sigh.

Faye, what you brought up about an unsupportive system is saddening and unfortunately unsurprising. This is a topic that is in itself a rabbit hole, understanding why there is such dismissiveness en masse in the first place and how to navigate the path to change it. The onus shouldn't rest on you alone. The excuses for dismissiveness can come from a lot of places: apathy, discomfort, fear, how they feel they should respond politically or socially…or simply not knowing how to make a difference. All I can say is that I look up to your strength in continuing to speak up despite the uphill battle you face. 

Thank you for your perspective.  Having my voice doesn't seem to be an issue, it is using it in a system that was built to ignore that voice and provide me no support when I need it.

Growing up in a black family, I was taught to gain my voice. I saw my parents experience discrimination, especially my father. I then experienced it as well. I have always spoken up and used my words wisely as a source of power. I am blessed to say that speaking up for those whose voices have been diminished is my passion. It does not always make me popular and has labeled me in some situations. However, I have to stand up for what I know to be right, fair, and just. I help people to gain their voices through mentorship and through sharing my own experiences. If you have your ducks in order, your documentation, etc., then you speak with a voice of authority that is much harder for people to brush off and silence.

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!

Growing up in a black family, I was taught to gain my voice. I saw my parents experience discrimination, especially my father. I then experienced it as well. I have always spoken up and used my words wisely as a source of power. I am blessed to say that speaking up for those whose voices have been diminished is my passion. It does not always make me popular and has labeled me in some situations. However, I have to stand up for what I know to be right, fair, and just. I help people to gain their voices through mentorship and through sharing my own experiences. If you have your ducks in order, your documentation, etc., then you speak with a voice of authority that is much harder for people to brush off and silence.

Hello Allyship and Equity Community!

I think this forum is a great outlet for people of all communication styles and comfort levels to share their experiences.

With that, I'm going to put myself out there for a little vulnerable honesty…

As part of this community, I sometimes feel like I don't quite measure up to the strength of the voices and contributions I see demonstrated by many of you. As an introvert and shy gal (those who know, know that these are two different things!), I've always been someone who tries to lead by actions and example before my words.

But the more I reflect on it, the more I realize that while the "actions speak louder than words" rule applies so well in many areas, allyship is one space where we must have a voice as a driver of our actions. Our words motivate, support, and amplify our message, and they reinforce and put power behind the actions we take. In a world that is very sensitive to our choice of words, let's face it, this can get uncomfortable real fast, especially when none of us want to be made to feel like caring about allyship makes us "too soft." But really, showing up for others and using your voice is one of the strongest things you can do.

Which brings me to my question. I would love to learn how you find your voice in allyship, or how you support the voices of others in the communities you belong to?

For those who find it challenging, what makes it hard to speak up as an ally, and what has helped you push through?

And for those who have a fearless fire in them and have long found their voice, what words of wisdom do you have for others, and how do you support emerging voices?

I recognize this is pretty broad, but it's something that affects everyone in this community in one way or another. Welcoming all perspectives here!