Being a "Community" Ally

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by honeybarbara

I have to admit I have trouble feeling community "on line" in the past two years. I fel more community by supporting the events that are occuring locally. By putting in support to my friends who run them. Giving a bit of time and a squeek of cash. by giving encouragement. But to be an ally... by letting my friends be who they are and see them as they are, trust them, offer support by helping out. By calling them on their shit and by listening when they call me on mine. By respecting them and not repeating information. By helping people find queer accomidation, walking them to bus stops and waiting with them for a bus, calling them a cab, bringing food and an ear when things aren't great.

I don't get much of the "us" and "them" in my day to day interactions with my queer community. I know a bit goes on but I tend to see it as "oh god it's X. well, they have a history because of G, B and J. What they are doing in personal swipes rather than the "political" it looks like so I'm going to walk away from this and go and talk to A... I tend not to interact when things get that way in person. it's personal history issues and I'm not getting drawn into it. usually people poke each other with sticks they think hurts the most and it's not nearly anything about the politics they are arguing.

So much of what you are saying here, hits home.

I want this community to be one in which genuine and active alliances prevail, but know that it is really about real-time commitments.