Thursday Thinkpiece: Reflections on Allyship
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Authors: Andrea Menard x Marc Bhalla
Publisher: Shadow of the Law Publications
Publication Date: July 1, 2023
ISBN: Print (Paperback): 978-1-7780840-4-1
50 pages; 6″ x 9″; $33
*** $20 from each book sold is being donated to Moose Hide Campaign,
an Indigenous-led grassroots movement to end gender-based violence ***
Excerpt: Chapter 10, Choose Your Battles. Fight Them!
by Marc Bhalla
‘22 September 30: Exhibition Place, Toronto
An industry conference I have attended for decades returned in-person for the first time in three years. I was invited to speak. The law firm I am with would have a booth, with everyone out in full force. It was a suit and tie occasion. The problem? September 30, 2022 was the second National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It was also “Orange Shirt Day”.
While it can be criticized as a token gesture if one’s effort starts and ends with wearing an orange shirt, on September 30th, doing so is important. I have seen children view failing to wear an orange shirt to school on September 30th as a significant social faux pas. Parents scramble and it is glorious!
This conference never had Indigenous involvement. Not even land acknowledgement. I had a decision to make. It was an easy one. I purchased an official Orange Shirt Day shirt. One bearing the image designed by Grade 11 student Geraldine Catalbas from Ponoka, Alberta and created by Dreamcatcher Promotions with proceeds going to the Orange Shirt Society. I wore my orange shirt to the conference.
My decision was in the minority. I was the only one there in an orange t-shirt representing a professional service provider. Several people made comments. Not to me, but to my boss!
One went so far as to ask my boss when I became a hippie.
Only one person approached me to ask about my orange shirt and the Moose Hide Campaign pin I had on my lapel. Eagerly, I explained. I long for the day where that one conversation becomes the dominant conversation.
Later, I learned that someone wearing an orange shirt pin at the conference (handmade by an Indigenous artist from Manitoba) was approached by a stranger. The stranger pointed at the pin and said they were on the other side of the issue.
Short on details as to why, we speculated… how can anyone be on the other side of reconciliation? Do they argue with the statistics and science? Did they think that the pope had nothing to apologize for? Are they in denial of the truth? Perhaps they are just racist?
In sharing this with Andrea Menard’s ground breaking LAW 693 Reconciliation & Lawyers class, an astute student raised the danger of assuming someone is racist. This is a fair and important point. All we could do was speculate about the stranger on the other side of reconciliation. We do not know the intent behind their actions, underlying experiences or point of view.
Regardless, what went down can serve as a reminder that we still have a long way to go. Attitudes like that volunteered freely by that stranger still very much exist and are seen as socially acceptable to express.
This demonstrates why allies are needed. If for nothing else but to make it less socially acceptable for comments like that to be made. Especially to a stranger in a public setting!
While I understand eyebrows raising about the environment I faced when I wore what I did on September 30, 2022, I was well aware of the climate I was facing. I had been to this event many times and knew what to expect. This included around attire and the free flowing of judgmental comments – though, admittedly, I did not expect them to be directed about me to my boss.
Wearing my orange t-shirt on September 30th was important to me. Yet, I felt I had a realistic sense of the range of potential consequences and was prepared for them. I share this risk management piece because I am not sure that we should fight every battle. Some are unwinnable and others a waste of time. There may also be risk of encouraging opposition or providing an undeserved spotlight.
The person accosted at the conference by the stranger on the opposite side of reconciliation did not engage in debate. They did not think it worthwhile, so moved on.
Personally, I would love to see that stranger feel alone in their views. I dream that stranger finds themselves surrounded by orange shirts and related accessories on September 30, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027… That would nicely demonstrate that they are on the wrong side of reconciliation. I think that would be a better outcome than giving attention or a platform to haters. Keep the Muppets on the balcony and off the stage!
Feedback about Marc from law students …
“Marc Bhalla spoke with us about allyship, and the Authentic Allyship Project. It really resonated with me when he talked about wearing an orange shirt even in an area where he knew it would be controversial. He was willing to engage with those who scoff and are disparaging towards Indigenous reconciliation efforts. He was willing to have these difficult conversations. We need more allies like this.”
“So, what is authentic allyship? Marc Bhalla made the comment during his guest lecture,
What sort of risks are you willing to take in the name of allyship? It is an interesting comment as it begs several questions, one of which is worth diving into as part of a reflection on authenticity: what sort of harm could result from allyship? At first blush, I am tempted to say there shouldn’t be any harm resulting from allyship – and why should there be? At some level all that is being asked is for people to treat one another as equals. The idea that this would lead to harm is and should be absurd. But authentic allyship that strives to achieve real reconciliation requires more than equality. The sort of substantive equity required means recognizing the privilege one enjoys and taking measures to redistribute that privilege to those who need it more.”
“As Marc said, sometimes you wear the shift.”
About the book…
Métis scholar Andrea Menard and Marc Bhalla share experiences to support aspiring Indigenous allies in this short, practical read offering an overview of topics explored in-depth in the law school courses they teach across the country. As academic partners of the Authentic Allyship Project, Andrea and Marc model Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaboration to break down barriers of performative action and misguided initiative. Embracing truth, identifying art as a bridge to understanding and demystifying base etiquette, Reflections on Allyship encourages those who want to make a difference to do more than get their pronunciation right.
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