Allyship Is…
 

In honor of the 2022 NCAA Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Social Media Campaign, I am here to share my story. My name is Tiana Joy Jackson. I am a 4th year grad student pursuing my MBA, and I am on the Women’s Basketball team at the University of Illinois Chicago. Here are just a few major contributions to my identity; I’m Black, I’m a woman, and I’m gay. I exist at the intersection of all of these. 

At times it’s hard to feel like I belong in certain spaces knowing that someone could choose not to accept any one of my identities. At no point can I decide to not be Black, a woman, or gay. At the end of the day, these aren’t choices, it’s a part of who I am. Similarly, I only want to surround myself with people who will accept me for who I am, regardless of whether they share similar identities with me or not.
 

Despite various types of people existing, people are still judged, ridiculed, or hated for simply being different. There will never be anything enjoyable about being ostracized or discriminated against for simply existing outside of what’s deemed "normal”. No one should be subjected to such dehumanizing treatment solely because they subscribe to something other than what’s been normalized by society’s standards. We are all human, we are all unique…but at times people don’t always feel that type of love and support. But see, that’s why allyship is so important. 

Existing outside of the cookie cutter expectations that society has gets lonely and tiring. Not because we don’t love who we are but because others don’t love who we are. 

Existing outside of the cookie cutter expectations that society has gets lonely and tiring. Not because we don’t love who we are but because others don’t love who we are. 

To be an ally, it’s not enough to say “I support you, I'm here for you, you matter, and I stand with you.” There must be substance behind it– action. Not just signing a petition or posting black screens on Instagram. Anyone can be an ally, you have to understand the discrimination and disparities that exist. You have to be willing to educate yourself, be there when people need it most, and acknowledge when wrongdoings are happening. 

“Silence is compliance”. It’s hard feeling seen and understood knowing I am the target for misogynists, homophobes, and racists. I know that I’m not the only one who is frustrated about the mistreatment and discrimination that marginalized people face. I am an ally for people like me, so why aren’t you?