Deconstructing Performative Allyship and Moving Towards Co-Conspiratorship

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

In the broad landscape of our world and it’s social constructs, particularly within social justice activism spaces, every aspect of my being serves as a political statement. The luxury of switching off or disengaging has never been an option, with both indirect and direct detrimental impacts on myself, my family, my community, and my people constantly looming. I’ve been entrenched in the relentless pursuit of social justice and collective liberation for most of my life particularly because my life and well-being are tied to them and I do not have a real choice in it.

So when individuals approach me, expressing optimism about a perceived “shift” in the atmosphere or a surge in ally support, their hopeful outlook is met with a smile tinged with skepticism yet infused with hesitant hope. It’s a familiar pattern, with assurances that this time will be different. Yet, like many alongside me, I’m acutely aware that the transformative change necessary for our collective vision of liberation demands a radical departure from our current modes of operation — a shift that remains elusive.

See, the allure of allyship often obscures its true essence — a facade of support that crumbles under the weight of systemic oppression, fatigue, and fleeting attention spans. Hence, my frustrations with performative allyship run deep, having witnessed numerous instances where allies opportunistically co-opted and exploited our struggles only to conveniently abandon us when the spotlight dimmed. This perpetual cycle of betrayal and abandonment fuels pervasive disillusionment and mistrust, further entrenching the power dynamics that underpin white supremacy. It’s long overdue for “allies” to transcend empty gestures and embrace genuine solidarity grounded in tangible action and unwavering accountability.

The Illusion of Performative Allyship:

Within social justice activism, allyship is often perceived as a virtue — a symbolic gesture that masks its hollow core. Performative allyship, characterized by fleeting gestures and tokenistic displays, fails to translate into substantive…