An ally is someone who is not a member of an underrepresented group but who takes action to support that group to help make their workplace more diverse and inclusive for all.
For workplaces to become truly inclusive it is up to people who hold positions of privilege to be active allies and to take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful.
Allies at all levels can take action with simple, everyday efforts that make a real difference and in this series, we highlight some things that you can do to be an ally and to support your colleagues from underrepresented groups.
#2: Embrace your own cultural identity.
Everyone has their own identity. White people are members of a cultural group just like any other underrepresented group. Therefore it is important for everyone to own and understand their own cultural identity first.
Approach this process as if you were learning about another culture. You are likely to find that there are many insights that you didn’t know about and you will probably learn about how your own culture is as subjective to interpretation as other cultures are to you.
This will also help you understand how your own culture is interpreted by others in ways that may surprise you.
Understanding your own cultural identity can help you understand both the similarities and differences with others.
Read the full “How to be an Ally” series here.
