 JUNE 18 • 2020 | 33

M

any of us have been closely 
following the news around our 
country over the last few weeks, 
wondering how to help the Black Lives 
Matter movement and other groups in the 
struggle for racial justice. 
I saw a quote on social media that 
appears to have originated from Los 
Angeles-based artist Cali 
Rockowitz. I found it benefi-
cial for my own avenues for 
engagement. 
It reads, “Some people are 
posting on social media, some 
are protesting in the streets, 
some are donating silently, 
some are educating them-
selves, some are having tough 
conversations with friends and 
family. A revolution has many 
lanes — be kind to yourself and to others 
who are traveling in the same direction. Just 
keep your foot on the gas.
” 
If you’
re a white person, no matter how 
you choose to engage, there are some 
important guidelines for being an ally to the 

black community and beginning to do the 
work.
It’
s time for white people to listen. 
Pushing our own agenda or narrative 
doesn’
t support the black community. Now 
isn’
t the time to share our own experiences 
of injustice, no matter how relevant they 
may seem. It’
s our turn to hand over the 
mic.
Amplify black voices. Go out of your way 
to share their stories, their artwork, their 
writing, their struggles and their wins. If 
you have a platform, use it. Turn it over to a 
person of color for a day or a week and help 
raise their voice up. Promote and patronize 

their businesses, organizations and com-
munities. Keep in mind that you’
re there to 
support, not to save.
If you choose to attend a protest, remem-
ber you’
re there as an ally to black attendees. 
Follow their lead, their directions and their 

chants.
Don’
t ask your black friends, colleagues 
or neighbors to do this work for you. 
Instead, use the resources already in abun-
dance and find your own way, or ask your 
white friends for assistance. Look online for 
classes, workshops, podcasts and readings 
that examine unconscious bias and systemic 
oppression.
Don’
t racially gaslight. Phrases like “It was 
just a joke,
” “Why is it always about race?” 
and “
Are you sure that’
s what happened?” 
aren’
t supportive and invalidate black expe-
riences.
Accept this will make you feel uncom-
fortable. That’
s how you know 
you’
re peeling back layers and 
examining systemic privileges 
you’
ve unknowingly enjoyed 
merely as a result of the color 
of your skin and the circum-
stances you were born into.
Understand that waking 
up is just the beginning. Next 
we have to actually do some-
thing about it. That’
s how you 
go from being an ally to an 
accomplice. Take the hands of your friends, 
family and neighbors, and bring them with 
you on your journey. Our black brothers 
and sisters deserve this from us.
Speak out against injustice, and stand up 
for those being oppressed. 

ALEXANDER CLEGG/JEWISH NEWS

Jewish and Israeli 
protesters at a 
Black Lives Matter 
rally in South 
Bend, Indiana.

Good Allies
How to Be

Guidelines for conducting
ourselves in the fi
 ght for 
racial justice.

REISA SHANAMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“A revolution has many lanes — be 
kind to yourself and to others who 
are traveling in the same direction. 
Just keep your foot on the gas.”

— CALI ROCKOWITZ

Jews in the D
jews and racial justice

