NCBI “Ally” Workshop

NCBI “Ally” Workshop

Over 40 people participated in the NCBI workshop on becoming an ally. The information herein is current, it relates to our immediate friends and neighbors,
and it’s important. If you have good intentions but you just don’t know what to
do or say, then read below and “listen” to what your neighbors and colleagues
have to say. Contribute to the community in a positive way. Honor the ideas
and suggestions of those who study, work and live right around you as you
study, work and live here too. Add to the list if you are so inspired. Enjoy the process of becoming an effective ally who is welcome and wanted in this local community, the larger cosmos and this small blue planet that we share.

A quote made by Pastor Martin Niemoeller upon his release from Theresienstadt when asked, "How did the world let this happen?"

"In Germany, the Nazis first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak
up because I wasn't a Jew.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and
I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me."

Defining an Ally:

Allies need to hear what you hear, see, feel, want…
Allies begin with good intentions and have willingness to: listen, speak up, to stand with, to stand for,
to pitch in, to honor the leadership of others (not take over and be a hero.)
Allies have a willingness to intervene about negative stereotypes.
Allies recognize privileges.
Allies are willing to learn, to share.
Allies give help vs. sympathy, pity or other subtle negatives. Friendship is part of being an ally.
Allies educate the majority and empower the minority around “privilege.”
Allies celebrate differences. Bring differences to the fore.
Allies have integrity, a good foundation, vs being nice for a short time for a political advantage.
Allies are allies because it is the right thing to do.
Allies try to put themselves “into the shoes” of others, consider, “What would it be like if I were you?”
in addition to asking and being told what it is like.

Developing ally-ship

How can we be allies and how can we help others be allies to us? Below are the results of the discussions around developing ally relationships for MTU and the local community.

NCBI Ally Workshop results:

“People of Color” break-out group response.

Women break-out group response.

“GLBT” break-out group response.

International break-out group response.

Additional Comments:

(A person of color comment on hearing the white student discussion and list) I am really happy I came. It gave me different view points. We are going to the Board of Control. There are a lot of issues. We can come together. Have the same concerns. We want the same things.

Put those questions (NCBI Ally Workshop questions) in the Lode with the answers.(A writer from the Lode will write an article about this workshop)

Recommend put ads in the Techno Babe Times (TBT). Their vision is to encourage and write “for smart and positive actions.”

Should put ads to encourage people to see these results, include highlights from workshop – ads for the website (NCBI “Ally” website) on EDS system, in TBT, and the Lode.

I can do this. One. Two. Three. (see People of Color list:Do #1- Simply say “Hello.”, #2-Initiate conversation and #3-Leave the comfort zone.)

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