HOW TO BE AN ALLY
An interactive handbook
Non-fiction for (young) adults
150-200 pages
This book is a first guide into Allyship: What is it, why is it important and how do I start? After reading this book a reader will feel equipped to move out of the paralyses the news so often puts us in these days and start speaking up about social justice.
The book will be divided into four big chapters:
1. THE BASICS
What even is Allyship? What does it mean to hold privilege? What is the difference between discrimination and oppression? And what does all of this have to do with me? These are the questions the first chapter will answer.
2. LISTENING & LEARNING
This chapter will first explore why it’s important to listen to marginalised groups and how to take responsibility for your own education. It will then move on to investigate all the things that get in the way of listening - like what aboutism, tone policing, respectability politics etc.
3. SPEAKING UP (BUT NOT OVER)
Who do I need to talk to as an Ally and how do I go about it? When should I speak up? The third chapter will provide examples to prepare the readers for talking about social and political issues.
4. PRACTISING CHANGE
How do I apply all this knowledge into my daily life? The last chapter will explore things like voting, campaigning, protesting. It’ll also be about community building and hosting events. The readers will be asked to make a commitment to Allyship and find ways to hold themselves accountable.
There are two things that make this book special. For one it’s interactive. I will include worksheets in every chapter. The readers can either use those as a resource in classes and workshops. Or go through them by themselves and apply the knowledge directly into their lives.
And number two: I will team up with a group of activists to write it. I am completely aware that my perspective on Allyship is limited. To include a broader range of information I will six activists about their experiences with oppression and Allyship. Their texts will add diversity to the book - they are fat, disabled, queer, BIPOC, women, trans.
