Allyship

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2:16
10AM
2/16/2021
TM
(Anchor O/C – Hailea)

What does it mean to be an ally? Collegian TV’s Tatiana Montavon walks us through what it

means and how to be one…

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According to Merriam-Webster, the word ally is used to describe someone who is not a part of a

marginalized group but expresses support of them. However, executive director of Butler’s

Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Gina Forrest says being an ally is actually a

verb.

(SOT / TRT :10)

(Super at :00 / Dr. Gina Forrest / Executive Director of Department of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion)
“Because it takes action. You have to be always listening, you have to be learning, supporting,
questioning and changing the system that we live in.”

On February 5th, Dr. Forrest held a workshop for the College of Communications regarding

allyship. Here, she notes that it is a journey and a continuum.

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“We’re all learning. It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about. It could be Gina and her needing
to exercise and eat better. I might be down here on that continuum, need to pop up here but here I
am. Maybe it’s Gina and her knowledge of religions, maybe it’s Gina and her inclusive language,
maybe it’s Gina and the Butler culture. It really doesn’t matter. I believe that we all continue to
learn and grow, because something new happens all the time.”
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(Super at :00 / Tatiana Montavon / Collegian TV)
You don’t have to go very far to start this journey. The process can start wherever you feel most

comfortable so long as you can be honest with yourself and you’ve got a reliable internet

connection.

Dr. Forrest says the first step is self-awareness, meaning understanding your identity, your

biases, and your privileges. You’ve also got to understand the system, and with this, notes PR

Chair for Butler LGBTQIA-plus Alliance Louise Irpino, comes doing research.

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(Super at :00 / Louise Irpino / Butler LGBTQIA+ Alliance PR Chair)
“Sometimes going to a member of that marginalized group is okay, but also people aren’t there
to educate you, so when they invite you to ask questions, then I’d say it’s fine. But I’d say that
doing your own research and coming to your own conclusions is pretty important.”

A good way to start on that aspect, Dr. Forrest says, is going to discussions and panels that are

put on at Butler.

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“Just in February, there’s probably 15 events. I challenge you to go to one, just to hear that
perspective.”

There are dozens of clubs at Butler that encompass diversity, equity, and inclusion. To find them

and their events, go to Butler Engage. Or for more information, you can follow the Efroymson

Diversity Center’s Instagram or Twitter, at Butler diversity. Tatiana Montavon, Collegian TV.