Iowa Voices on Being An Ally to Marginalized Groups

 

by David E. Drake, D.O.; reprinted with permission by author; published in the Des Moines Register, Sun., March 16 in Opinion.

 

In this chaotic, scary, even dangerous time I decided to explore the role/importance of allies to marginalized groups as they face discrimination in housing, in the work place, deportation, and family upheaval. I appreciate the definition of ‘ally’ as “a person or group that gives help to another person or group.” (Britannica Dictionary)

For many of us who are white, cis-gender, comfortably resource-full we have a responsibility to speak out, to stand up, and to support those who are directly affected by the new Trump/Musk directives. So I set out to interview prominent folks from LGBTQ+, immigrant, Muslim, and peace and social justice groups to address the issue of why ally support is so important.

 Kathleen McQuillen, executive director of Catholic Peace Ministry told me that “when you claim to be an ally and you aren’t close enough to be hit by the stones, you aren’t an ally. She added “We need to be at the Statehouse and legislative hearings about immigrants, law enforcement around ICE, and LGBTQ+ and to stand with the group that is being targeted.”

The Latino pastor of Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church, Alejandro Alfaro Santiz, told me that at times those who are directly affected cannot stand up and those who are not affected are more able to do so; that the role of the ally is to follow the lead of those most affected. For Alejandro that is to be there with his feet on the ground with his whole self.

He added that we all are going to experience harm because we are interconnected. He cited that during the Postville raid children in the local schools were affected by the arrest of their parents or the parents of their friends - that all the kids were traumatized - documented or not.

Sharon Zanders-Ackiss is the Racial Justice and Equity Director with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) and spoke about how non-marginalized persons can be part of conversations and strategies “ but should know they are not speaking for the people who are affected. There is strategy on when our white members need to speak. For example, at City Council meetings over the years if Black leadership was speaking to Council members some would look down at their cell phones but when the white member speaks it’s going to be heard.”

Luai Amro - a prominent Muslim in Des Moines - spoke how non-Muslims can be good allies to members of the Muslim community in Des Moines. He cites 3 things: “ 1) It helps to be open minded about the differences between cultures; 2.) - focus on being compassionate and human; and 3.) - tolerance - respect the differences and don’t get offended by them.”

Luai ended with “we are not asking to be treated differently but to be accepted and learn what we can do. We are part of this country. The scariest thing to us Muslims and Arabs is the concept of ‘us and them’ - when you get identified as a group that is ‘them.’”

 Billie Wade : an African-American writer and presenter - has led an online anti-racism group through the Mind and Spirit Counseling Center that has been meeting for almost 5 years - currently with all white people. Billie told me that folks “ are reaching out and wanting to be helpful, knowing they have biases and blind spots and knowing that the best way for them to grow as a person and understanding of Black people is to do things like participate in an anti-racism group.”

The members of her group “are sincere, engaged, they keep coming back- I feel like I’m making a difference” - with one member who “talks about the changes it has made in her life.” Billie listens to their questions, their comments, when they are confused or when they have made a mis-step and she lets them know the reality of what she and other Black people are living with.” Billie says an ally can’t fully understand because they are not that person, but an ally can be very powerful”.

 As the executive director of One Iowa, Max Mowitz spoke of two things - regarding communities who are dehumanized, especially trans folks and immigrants - “that we need folks outside of those communities who say these folks are human and need to be respected. It is hard for them to be recognized when they go into the legislature. Straight folks need to speak up from their offices and churches and PTA groups.” He says a good ally is in whatever space you are in to think about the culture of that space. “Is that a space where people who are LGBTQ+ can be safe?” Max contends “we need allies to never give up on our State or the LGBTQ people. We need you.”

 Marginalized groups in Iowa need us all.

 

David E. Drake, D.O, (he/him) is a psychiatrist and

former chair of the DSM Human Rights Commission. Contact: drakeoffice@gmail.com