Build Solidarity

We can also build solidarity in our work together. Vikki Reynolds (she/her) offers an approach to thinking about vicarious trauma or burnout with an ethic of solidarity and collective sustainability (as opposed to simply self-care). Vikki asks us to consider, “How can we serve to shoulder each other up in this work?”

We can build solidarity and collective sustainability by starting with those points of connection where we share meaning and purpose in our work.1

Solidarity speaks to an understanding that ‘just ways of being’ are interconnected. [...] We are meant to do this work together. [It] is profoundly collaborative and there are many paths. We do this work on the shoulders of others, and we ‘shoulder others up’. 2 Vikki Reynolds

From a collective care perspective, we’re invited to work to stay in connection. Vikki warns us however if we move too close (e.g. into heroism) or move too far away with distancing (e.g. negativity and cynicism) we can lose that sense of connection where each person can bring their values, knowledge, and resources to support each other.

How do we build a collective sense of responsibility? 

Being collectively responsible means we have the moral courage to hold each other accountable, stay together through the discomfort, and move together towards new learnings being able to receive and give richer feedback.

We must also remember to always prioritize our own and each other’s safety and care in the discomfort. In this way, we can build a solidarity team. 

Tips for being an ally

Racial Equity Tools defines being an ally as:

Someone who makes the commitment and effort to recognize their privilege (based on gender, class, race, sexual identity, etc.) and work in solidarity with oppressed groups in the struggle for justice. Allies understand that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.3

Allies commit to reducing their own complicity or collusion in oppression of those groups and invest in strengthening their own knowledge and awareness of oppression.4

Here are 5 tips for being an ally from Franchesca Ramsey.5

Becoming imperfect allies

Vikki Reynolds invites us to show up and take imperfect actions in the face of injustice. It will be imperfect because we’ll always have our learned values and beliefs that at times may limit our understandings.6

By being allies, we are willing to act with and for others to achieve more justice and equity for all people. We can work to create the space to be imperfect allies, inviting grace and compassion for ourselves and each other in this work. When we have grace and compassion for each other we can:

  1. Embrace a belief that everyone is doing the best that they can, and operating from their best intentions. What people are thinking and doing makes perfect sense from their perspective.

  2. Be more patient with ourselves and others.

  3. Work to achieve a deeper understanding.

  4. Accept our differences and at the same time seeks solutions. 

Vikki also invites us to ask ourselves, “Am I walking the talk?” and embrace responsibility for the ways we are not acting as allies, despite our intentions. We can lean in with vulnerability with open hearts to critique.  

Click here to access some guiding questions from Vikki Reynolds to reflect on about being imperfect allies.

 

Sources:

  1. Vikki Reynolds (2019) The Zone of Fabulousness: Resisting vicarious trauma with connection, collective care and justice-doing in ways that that centre the people we work alongside. https://vikkireynoldsdotca.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/2019-context-uk-zone-of-fabulousness-reynolds.pdf

  2. Vikki Reynolds (2012) An Ethical Stance for Justice-Doing in Community Work and Therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, Vol. 31, No. 4, 2012, pp. 18–33 https://vikkireynoldsdotca.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/reynoldsandpolancoethicsstanceforjusticedoing2012jst.pdf

  3. OpenSource Leadership Strategies, “The Dynamic System of Power, Privilege, and Oppression” (2008).

  4. Center for Assessment and Policy Development.

  5. Franchesca Ramsey [chescaleigh]. (2014). 5 Tips for Being an Ally [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dg86g-QlM0

  6. Vikki Reynolds (2013) Leaning In” as Imperfect Allies in Community Work. Narrative and Conflict: Explorations of theory and practice. Volume 1, Issue 1. https://journals.gmu.edu/index.php/NandC/article/view/430/364