The UCSU Allyship Charter
The new UCSU Allyship charter will hopefully outline what makes a person a better ally and provide an opportunity to actively learn about how to better support marginalised communities.
The Allyship Charter has 3 key points and is a working progress which will be adapted to ensure its relevance and suitability to these communities. If you have any suggestions on what should be included, please feel free to email suactivities@chi.ac.uk
Current Allyship Charter:
- Gaining further knowledge by educating myself and staying informed
- Speak up and challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia
- Listen, be mindful and supportive
Brief History- worth keeping some of it as it is part of our history
In previous years, the university, SU and its’ clubs and societies have previously signed the Sports Charter to tackle homophobia and transphobia (#TakeAStand). This was set up as a Government initiative to tackle these issues within sports and in turn looking at issues including Racism, Sexism, Biphobia, Disability, discrimination, initiations, alcohol and drug abuse, crowd behaviour and Faith and Cultural appropriation.
Why change this?
The issues that the Sports Charter wished to eradicate, exists beyond sports, into our wider society. By changing this campaign, it gives us the proactive nature to educate and tackle these issues, one small step at a time. The SU and the University recognises that it is not just relevant to sport, but in our clubs and societies, student community and wider society, that we learn to be a better ally.
Definition
Ally – a person who helps and supports someone (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary). The origins of this word dates back to its first use in 1250 and originated from the Latin word ‘alligare’ meaning ‘to bind to’.
Allyship - the role of a person who advocates and work for inclusion of marginalised group, not as a member but in solidarity with its struggle and point of view (Dictionary.com).
Why is it essential to become an ally?
Collectively, we all have the power to stand up for the rights of others and to make a positive change. Inclusion and diversity are a job for everyone and not just those with diversity, inclusion or belonging in their job title.
Being an ally means you recognise that you may not personally have experienced the marginalisation but you support them and make an effort to better understand the struggle.