By Charlotte Powley

Note from the Editor: Charlotte’s article is written to white people, but if you’re not white, this doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply to you. [1] Have you ever acted as one of these “ally characters” when supporting others? Or maybe you’ve had someone act that way towards you. How does it make you feel when people take on one of the roles Charlotte describes in their interactions with you? How can you live in the light and strengthen those around you?

As a white woman who grew up in the United States, I know I have white supremacy built into the fibers of my being. As Dr. Beverly Tatum would say, racism is like pollution in the air. Regardless of any books I might read or anti-racism work I might do, it would be arrogant and ignorant of me to think that I do not somehow breathe the same toxic air as everyone else. I have no doubt that implicit racial biases live within me. To some extent, it seems unavoidable. What is not unavoidable, however, is whether or not I succumb to the role of one or many of the “white ally” tropes.

Following the murder of George Floyd, the United States and the world witnessed the emergence of far more well-intentioned, but also profoundly problematic and just down right confused, white allies; many of whom fall into classic archetypes of white allyship. I am sure there are others, but here I share some of the most recognizable and dangerous ones. With that said, these characters are not static and one individual may personify all of these various characters at different points in time. I have seen these characters not only within myself but in allies all around me and no matter how well intentioned, these characters all find a home in the dwellings of white supremacy.

One: The “White Savior”

The “White Savior”. This is perhaps one of the oldest, most familiar characters. The “White Savior” is likely to do mission trips to “save those poor African babies.” Note: we white women are all over this one. If there’s a photo of African youth somewhere, I promise you a grinning white woman is likely not far from the scene. The “White Savior” might donate to BLM causes because they just “have to do something to help!” We love that word: “help.”

Again, these are not ill-intentioned characters but they embody and perpetuate white supremacy in palpable and toxic ways. In this performance of white allyship, they are forever the hero/heroine of the story. They are likely to expect a standing ovation at the end of their performance (or at the very least their performance will be posted on social media). The White Savior will always find a way to make sure you know that they led the rescue mission. 

Two: The “White Guilt” Ally

Not dissimilar to the “White Savior” is the “White Guilt” ally; however, these two do differ in substantial ways. The “White Guilt” allies may execute their “allyship” in more subtle ways; however, they are still motivated by the same spirit of white supremacy that drives the “White Savior.” Why? Because guilt is a self-centered emotion. In seeking alleviation from their guilt, they perform their allyship, maybe not necessarily to tell others of their seemingly “well-intentioned heart,” like the “White Savior,” but to affirm it for themselves.

This validation seeking performance, however, is not about justice nor equity. Any effort seeming to seek justice is likely rooted in an egotistical desire to free themselves from their own burdens of guilt. In other words, the “White Guilt” ally is the person that cheats on you and then tells you about it because “Oh God, it was just eating me alive!” Poor thing. But they have no intention of actually interrogating or remedying their own behavior. They are seeking and centering their own “freedom” - not anyone else’s.

Three: The “Rebel Without a Cause” Ally

 This brings me to the “rebel without a cause” ally. This “ally” will jump on board to any and all causes that seem counter cultural or counter mainstream. However, their attempts at allyship are more about their own personal rebellion (against who knows what) than any actual movement or cause. There is a sense of tourism in their alleged allyship and just as they have jumped on they are likely to jump off at any moment. The root of their alleged or desired allyship is their identity as a “rebel” and not actually any investment or dedication to any particular movement. 

The “rebel without a cause” ally typically has a social justice flavor of the month and this is likely due to the fact that their identity is more about performing any act of resistance as opposed to a deep desire to eradicate that which is at the heart of the movement to which they have recently attached themselves. Again, they are “the rebel” - the ultimate motivation is just that - to rebel (ooh that sounds dangerous and fun); against what they may not even be entirely sure but if the revolution is going to be televised they definitely want to be on camera for that part, or at least get a selfie (though they may have to squeeze in next to the “White Savior;” all while the “White Guilt” ally is probably in the back feeling bad about himself or desperately trying to convince someone that he’s “not racist!”).

Four: The “I’m more woke than you” Ally

While the other white allyship characters may be fighting over who gets to squeeze into the photo op, there’s always the “I’m more woke than you” ally, who perhaps at least understands that it is not about optics and performance (or do they?). Their main goal, however, is to constantly prove that they are more of an ally than anyone else. They’ve been to more protests, read more books, articles, etc. than the average white “ally” (and they may or may not have been an African American Studies major in college; probably alongside another major though because they’re the overachievers and again, more woke than you). 

The danger in this character is perhaps far worse than the others as they are seemingly informed but they often lack the ability to be teachable or even worse: the ability to admit that they just might be wrong. Indeed they are “informed” — they have the “information” but with none of the real knowledge, wisdom, or humility to go with it. They are the ones that are likely to be found lecturing other self-proclaimed white allies, even non-white activists. Ultimately, they are likely to be blinded by their own sense of wokeness. (Their eyes may be closed but if their ears are still open at all they can probably hear the “White Guilt” ally apologizing; something they are unlikely to do because they know it all already because they are, of course, more woke than you).

Five: The Social Media Ally

And then there’s the social media ally, one of my recent favorites. This character is not necessarily toxic or dangerous like the “White Savior” or the “I’m more woke than you” ally. However, they are also not particularly effective nor do they embody any real change. The realities of well-meaning white liberals may vary widely but many have still not begun to explore the toxicity of the racist pollution in our own lungs. Many of us have just started to recognize that there is smog in the air but we will be sure to let you know we are opposed to it! 

This character strikingly resembles the “White Guilt” ally. Their motivation is unclear though. Is it guilt? Is it a masterful performance for their followers? It may be a genuine act of solidarity. However, these “allies” are often the ultimate wagonists. (Basketball fans — think Golden State Warriors wagon overflow. Ask some of these so called “fans” to name a player other than Curry and you’re likely to hear crickets.) I am not suggesting people “get off the wagon.” Far from it. However, I am suggesting they study their alleged team and watch a game or two or three - or even participate in the game themselves.

Six: “Hey, I’m new here but I’m definitely going to be the one to save the day!” Ally 

This brings me to the last character and my personal favorite: The “Hey, I’m new here but I’m definitely going to be the one to save the day!” ally. This is the ally that may be doing some homework and is just shocked at “how much work we still have left to do!” “I thought we had made progress!” They make the fundamental and problematic assumption that social justice work has been progressing in some type of linear fashion. But for them, the timeline is indeed linear, and thank God they arrived when they did, because they will for sure be the one to solve the problem! Like the others, there is an insidious ego-centric nature that is fundamental to this character. Picture your favorite extroverted narcissist perhaps: they’re the person that shows up late to the party but thank God they’ve graced us with their presence, and anything that was going on prior to their arrival is irrelevant because, whew they’re here now! 

This character's best friend, parent, twin, and/or alter ego is likely the “White Savior”. The difference perhaps is that there is a motivated energy in their actions, and they may genuinely want to “solve the problem” and uproot white supremacy. All good things. This character may even be different from the other allies in that they seek to engage in something beyond the typical performative allyship. However, they further manifest and perpetuate white supremacy by thinking everyone and everything exists on their timeline. This is the white liberal that is constantly starting conversations about race with their one Black friend/coworker/stranger on the street because they need to vent their new found frustration about the race-based tension and plight in America! (With no consideration that the person to whom they are speaking may not want to hear about the one article they just read). 

The “Hey, I’m new here but I’m definitely going to be the one to save the day!” ally and their new favorite intellectual activity of contemplating race relations in the US will rarely, if ever, take into consideration the emotional, physical, mental exhaustion of those that have been forced to talk about and live that reality. Dr. Cornel West said, “If you’re in it just because you think you’ve got to produce the consequences now, overnight, all of a sudden, you act like you are in control of history. It’s all about you. You’re the one that doesn’t have time…this market conception of time, this commodified conception of time, needs to be shattered.” Should there be an urgency in our approach? Absolutely. Should allies be alarmed, enraged, impatient for results? Definitely. But for this character in particular, let’s offer the necessary reminder: “You’re new here.” Listen, read, watch, learn (this does not mean don’t act but it means enter the conversation and the space with humility). 

Again, I am a white woman. I have no doubt that I have at some point or even currently embody different facets of these different characters. In knowing that these characters exist and that they do more harm than good, my hope is that I and other white people who desire to stand as allies learn to develop new and sincere engagement practices with anti-racism work. And again I hope we can do so with humility and an overall understanding of our positionality.

[1] It doesn’t escape my notice that often, discussions of race in the U.S. can be flattened to White vs. Black and that by publishing an article about white people, we may be perpetuating that narrative. Sometimes it seems like other groups (i.e. such as Asian Americans) are invisible. This is a tension we at Project Arctos wrestle with and hope to grow in addressing.

Charlotte Powley currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor at Simmons University in their Public Health Department. She launched her career as a high school teacher in a New York City public high school soon after receiving her B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University. While teaching, she completed her MEd from Hunter College. Her dedication to learning more about students' mental health and wellbeing led her to pursue her Master’s in Public Health from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her PhD in Social Policy at the Heller School at Brandeis University in 2020.