USW National Anti-Racism Working Group asks delegates to reflect
“Allies are all of you who are white people. Solidarity is built when white people become allies of racialized people.”
How does this phrase make you feel?
That was the start of the exercise the USW National Anti-Racism Working Group (NARWG) asked delegates to dive into.
“Being an ally is about racial identity. Even thinking about this is emotional,” said Rohini Arora, USW Local 2009, and a District 3 NARWG member. “If you felt no emotion in this exercise, you haven’t begun learning. And it’s OK to be emotional about a phrase that has “white” and “racialized” in the same sentence. People who are targets of racism feel a lot of emotions. And so do those who are white.”
In 2020, the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in the U.S. created a wave of international outrage. In 2021, under USW National Director at the time, Ken Neumann, the NARWG was initiated to identify, strengthen and improve the USW’s work on anti-racism.
Why is being an ally crucial to the union, particularly now? Because the union is diverse – across race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity.
“To build solidarity means becoming an ally across all identities,” said Parvinder Kaur, USW Local 5296, and a District 6 NARWG member.
The hall went quiet as delegates were asked to silently reflect on questions associated with being an ally or working with allies.
NARWG member Mark Austin, USW Local 1998 in District 6, asked white delegates to take action by listening more and speaking less when racialized people are present.
“Recognize your advantages. Decline special recognition. You are an ally, not a hero,” said Austin.
NARWG member Hans-Woosly Balan from District 5 summed up how to be an ally. “Be ready to learn and help a racialized person. Defend people, just like you defend members when facing the employer. Educate yourself. It’s OK to not know all the answers. If you’re ready to make the effort to learn and to act after learning,” he said.
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