In Interrupting The Cycle Of Oppression: Ally

In Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: Ally
G.Denisse Agurto
Albright College

There are different people, who suffer from oppression that is normally subjected to them by others in the society. These people are hindered from being themselves in the society and reaching their goals. Sometimes, individuals might not know the best way to end the cycle of oppression, and violence that areperpetrated against them in the society (Ayvazian, 1995). However, according to Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian, one way that individuals can stop the cycle of oppression is through assuming the role of as ally. This paper will give a detailed analysis on an ally, in the aspects of who an ally is, difficulties associated with being an ally and whether an ally can impacts change in the society.
An allyis a term used to refer to an individual or a member of a particular a dominant group in our society, who is dedicated to elimination different forms of oppression in our society. (Ayvazian, 1995) He or she has the character of fighting for what he believes in and to do this, allies find themselves speaking or making points that other people do not have the courage to make. Examples of allies aremembers of groups such as; black, Hispanic and Asian anti-racist, gay, lesbian, heterosexual or homosexual, who fights for the rights of these groups to alienate the oppression that members of these groups go through in the society. They openly disclose their sexual orientation and discuss things that other members of these groups would not have courage to discuss.
Allies are people ofcourageous nature, who stand and fight for what they believe in. According to Ayvazian (1995) their behavior of allies means being vibrant in the society to ensure that there is change and taking a personal responsibility for the enactment of changes that we believe are needed in the society to end oppression, and then so often ignoring or leaving the other members of the society deal with the consequencesof change. This form of behavior is said to be intentional, unconcealed, dependable activity, which challenges the prevailing pattern of oppression, and focused on the empowerment of those suffering from oppression in a bid to set them free.
Like any other form of activism, becoming ally present different challenges, which an individual should be able to recognize and appreciate before goingin to it to avoid being disappointed and worn out due to tireless efforts. Among the many challenges with being an ally is that it is often exhausting. It is normally challenging to sustain your energy and enthusiasm as an ally. This is mainly due to the many challenges faced including the treatment that one receives from other people. One experiences moment of doubts, when you do not believe thatyou are being effective in bringing change or whether the methods of approach taken are the best (Ayvazian, 1995). However, the best thing is to acknowledge that these doubts will exist and to continue with the role ignoring the negative energy.
Being a successful ally calls for one to be consistently conscious as a major characteristic. Allies stumble and make mistakes, but the key or the mostimportant thing is to know that, for one to be successful, consistency is required. The process of change cannot be automatic, but it is a step by step journey. Therefore, for an ally to claim that they have fought for the rights of individuals and facilitated the enactment of change in the society, they need to be patient and persistent to make sure that the change process comes into completion(Kishon, 1970).
I believe that allies are capable of bringing positive change in the society. This is normally done through the provision of positive role models. An ally fighting for a certain change in the society should realize the need to be a role model and act as they want others to. An example is those fighting against racism should not be seen to be racists. This enables them to assume...