Fieldnotes on Allyship: Achieving Equality Together

by Our Human Family, Clay Rivers (Editor), Sherry Kappel (Editor)

In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the routine killing of Black Americans, unprecedented numbers of people are participating in peaceful marches and demonstrations across the United States. There are many more who want get involved, for whom demonstrations are not an option. And they’re unsure what to do. "Fieldnotes on Allyship" is an informal and informative guide to becoming an effective ally right where you are. Written by eighteen authors from the U.S. and around the world, this collection of essays covers four 1) a history of how we as a nation got here, 2) the forces that maintain systemic racism, 3) preparing to serve as an ally, and 4) serving as an ally This anthology, with an introduction by anti-racism educator and author Tim Wise, presents a different way a vision in which we acknowledge, support, and celebrate the humanity in all of us.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2020

Reviews

[Shannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short essays and statements from contributors across the globe, focused largely (but not exclusively) on the challenges of Allyship here in the US this is a wonderful resource. It likely will challenge you (especially if you are a white male in the US) but a challenge that comes from a place of love.

I am a white male and I would like to think I’m fairly well informed on matters of race but I was challenged and learned from each perspective in the book. (due to having spent decades trying to become better informed, having non-white family and relatives and being in an interracial relationship and being the father of a brown son - but all that does mean I’m necessarily now or in the past always been a good ally. I hope I have been and will be. But it is not a simple or easy or one time single act to define being an ally. It’s an ongoing complex nuanced and ever changing challenge.

Highly recommended and alas while written in 2020 still all too relevant and important in 2023 and beyond.