I am NOT a Perfect Ally

 

 

I am not a perfect ally – in fact, I’m pretty imperfect. The most imperfect, probably.

I will probably mess your pronouns up. More than once. But I am learning – please correct me. 

I will probably forget a letter of the LGBT+ acronym. Please correct me. 

I will probably say something that shouts my privilege and I won’t realize it. But I am learning to acknowledge my privilege. Please correct me.

I will probably not realize that something may be excluding to people of your sexuality, gender identification, race, nationality, ethnicity, etc.. Please educate me.

I will probably be unaware of a bill that has just been proposed that screams injustice. Please inform me. I want to know so that I can fight alongside you.

I will probably not realize that there is an activist event coming up. Please invite me. I want to be there.

I will probably not have the point-of-view that takes my privilege out. Correct me. Educate me. Teach me.

I am not a perfect ally.

But I promise that I will shout for you until I lose my voice

I am not a perfect ally.

But I promise I will speak up when I hear someone expressing hatred towards your group or group(s).

I am not a perfect ally.

But I promise that I will strive to be better. Not just when I’m alongside you. But when I’m alone.

I am not a perfect ally.

But I promise that I will support you – whenever you need it – whether it’s something big or small.

I am not a perfect ally.

But I am always learning. I want to learn. I want to be an ally for you.

I am not a perfect ally.

But I want to be. I want to be a safe space for you. I want you to feel like you are loved.

I am not a perfect ally.

But I promise that I will listen. I will hear you.

Because this world is NOT a place for injustice or discrimination of ANY kind.  My skin color is not an excuse to be blind to injustice. My gender is not an excuse to misuse the pronouns of others’. My sexuality is not an excuse to exclude other sexualities. My privilege is not an excuse.

I am not the exception.

I am not a perfect ally, no, but I am an ally. And I am always learning.

Cover Photo by Heather Mount on Unsplash