http://www.indigenousaction.org/accomplices-not-allies-abolishing-the-ally-industrial-complex/
The May 2015 indigenousaction.org article entitled, "Accomplices Not Allies: Abolishing the Ally-Industrial Complex," article makes me want to sing. The ally industrial complex did a real number on me, as I felt myself being pushed by others inside of the advocacy community into the last category of allyship discussed in this article-- "Acts of Resignation" or "Resignation of Agency".
My passion in this life has always been liberation, both spiritual and physical. My voice is not weak (which in and of itself I understand poses a challenge for some), nor am I uncertain about the efficacy of my involvement or tactics. I found my spirit crushed and muted this time last year, when, for the first time in my life, I voluntarily gave up to the venom spewed by those outside of myself whose stated goals were, verbatim, to "silence" and "shut me down." This animus came from people inside the movement, who had literally never had a conversation with me before. People sure that they knew all about me and my motives for involvement in a struggle not typically reflective of my pigment.
It has taken me nearly a year to emerge from one of the most difficult periods of my life. Yet, I emerge. Like a phoenix, I feel my energy stronger than I ever have. And for this I thank my Warrior Goddess self and the wholeness from which she springs. Never doubt for a minute the blessings present in every moment. I finally realized and wholly internalized the truth that, from drought comes abundance. And following times of plenty comes starvation. Life, like the divine feminine which creates it, moves in cycles. Emerging from and returning to the challenges and joy, providing us ample opportunity to learn the lessons offered to us in this realm. The struggle is indeed real... A gift of the highest caliber, which invites and compels us to seek and explore our true self.
This piece speaks directly to me as I embark on the healing journey necessary for me to reclaim and reignite the Light of my divine feminine warrior Goddess self. A vital Light, which will (and always has) helped me to persevere and navigate through the smoke and shadow, obstacles some perceive as "fear." ♡☆♡☆♡
The article reads:
"Resignation of agency is a by-product of the allyship establishment. At first the dynamic may not seem problematic, after all, why would it be an issue with those who benefit from systems of oppression to reject or distance themselves from those benefits and behaviors (like entitlement, etc) that accompany them? In the worst cases, 'allies' themselves act paralyzed believing it’s their duty as a 'good ally.' There is a difference between acting for others, with others, and for one’s own interests, be explicit.
You wouldn’t find an accomplice resigning their agency, or capabilities as an act of 'support.' They would find creative ways to weaponize their privilege (or more clearly, their rewards of being part of an oppressor class) as an expression of social war. Otherwise we end up with a bunch of anti-civ/primitivist appropriators or anarcho-hipsters, when saboteurs would be preferred."