4:46am August 17, 2014

➸ Identifying, Educating, and Empowering Allies (Phil Schwarz, June 2004, autistic history)

i’m not going to tell you what’s wrong with parts of this. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I hate having to even put a disclaimer like this, but some people act like linking to a thing is the same as believing everything in the link.

Some people use the word “allies” today like Phil uses the word “pseudo-allies” in his article. I think this is horrible because it paints all allies as pseudo-allies, and because we need alliances with other people, both other oppressed people and other people in general, in order for such a tiny movement to have a large impact.

Pay particular attention to the segment on pseudo-allies, but please click above and read the entire link through. Here’s me reproducing the pseudo-allies segment in full, just in case you don’t feel like clicking through:

Pseudo-Allies

Sometimes, those who claim to be allies to us are in fact not acting in our best interests. Aprille Annette of the Professional Enrichment Program, a San Francisco Bay Area organization supporting people with disabilities engaging in professional theatre work, wrote an excellent essay about pseudo-allies, from which the following material is adapted.

There are at least three varieties of pseudo-ally and pseudo-ally behavior:

The Missionary — gets points for helping us, but the problem is that they are often helping us their way. They get points; we get used.

The Vulture — exploits us, often making money off our needs, our work, or our lack of power. When a Vulture makes money off our work, it is often more money than we make off of it. The Vulture started multiplying at an incredibly fast rate after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Do-gooder — motivated by a conscious desire to help the less fortunate and a subconscious desire that is patronizing and condescending.

How does one tell a true ally from a pseudo-ally? Sometimes the language they use is a dead giveaway:

“Courage”, “inspirational”, effusive, excessive, unrealistic praise

“These people,”; “us” and “them” rather than “we”

Some true allies started out as pseudo-allies — but listened and learned and grew and re-examined their own motives and assumptions.

True allies understand the distinction, and the problem. Allies who seriously ask the question of themselves, whether they are functioning as true allies, probably are.

A key determinant is the power dynamics of the situation. Here are some points to consider and some questions to ask:

Someone who appreciates your work and leaves you feeling powerful is probably an ally (or a potential ally!)

Conversely, people who leave you feeling grateful to them may be a pseudo-ally

In an organization: is the power all in the hands of non-autistic people? Are there autistic people in non-token governance roles?

Who makes the decisions in the relationship or organization?

Do they understand the problem of pseudo-allies and can they recognize the categories, behaviors, and vocabulary of pseudo-allies?