I don't identify as an ally. Of anything. (I don't identify as a feminist, either.)
I am entirely ambivalent to attempting to label my location on any kind of queer-straight chart; I am not "straight," but it would certainly feel strange to call myself "queer," especially in regards to working towards equal rights... I'm married to a person of the opposite gender, and we have kids, in a liberal area where "swinging" is considered a slightly risque hobby; we get the full het privilege package, regardless of our actual orientations.
I'd feel very odd indeed calling myself a "white ally" of race issues. I try to keep conscious of racial biases around me, and point them out to my family & sometimes friends...who, exactly, would that make me an ally of? "An ally of people of color" implies that I'm somehow working against white people, which is not how I want to perceive the struggle for total equality.
The "ally" label does seem to be rather cookie-based. At its best, I suppose it's an acknowledgement of efforts made, and assistance done. At its worst, it's someone declaring "I deserve a cookie for paying attention, and getting in people's faces about what's interesting to me."
It'd be nice to find a way to acknowledge useful activities without rewarding egotism at the same time.
Allies
I am entirely ambivalent to attempting to label my location on any kind of queer-straight chart; I am not "straight," but it would certainly feel strange to call myself "queer," especially in regards to working towards equal rights... I'm married to a person of the opposite gender, and we have kids, in a liberal area where "swinging" is considered a slightly risque hobby; we get the full het privilege package, regardless of our actual orientations.
I'd feel very odd indeed calling myself a "white ally" of race issues. I try to keep conscious of racial biases around me, and point them out to my family & sometimes friends...who, exactly, would that make me an ally of? "An ally of people of color" implies that I'm somehow working against white people, which is not how I want to perceive the struggle for total equality.
The "ally" label does seem to be rather cookie-based. At its best, I suppose it's an acknowledgement of efforts made, and assistance done. At its worst, it's someone declaring "I deserve a cookie for paying attention, and getting in people's faces about what's interesting to me."
It'd be nice to find a way to acknowledge useful activities without rewarding egotism at the same time.