This is a great story about what men can do to be an ally to women. Men always ask, “What can I do?” This. This is what you can do for women:
And this is the bare minimum. There’s so many more ways to be an ally. Being an ally to women is crucial for creating a more equitable and inclusive society. Here are some more ways men can be allies to women:
- Listen and learn: Take the time to listen to women’s experiences, concerns, and perspectives. Actively seek out resources, books, articles, and discussions that promote understanding of gender inequality and feminism. Educate yourself about the issues women face in various domains of life.
- Believe and validate: When women share their experiences of sexism or discrimination, believe them and validate their feelings. Avoid dismissing or minimizing their concerns. Show empathy and support.
- Amplify women’s voices: In many settings, women’s voices are often overlooked or silenced. As an ally, use your privilege and platform to amplify women’s voices. Share their ideas, give credit where it’s due, and actively promote their achievements and contributions.
- Challenge sexist behavior: Speak up when you witness or hear sexist remarks, jokes, or behaviors. By actively challenging and calling out such behavior, you contribute to creating a safer and more respectful environment for women. However, be mindful not to speak over women or take up their space while doing so.
- Promote equal opportunities: Advocate for equal opportunities for women in various areas, including education, employment, and leadership positions. Encourage diversity and inclusion in your workplace or community, and support policies and initiatives that address gender disparities.
- Share domestic responsibilities: Recognize and share the responsibilities of household chores, childcare, and emotional labor. Strive for an equitable distribution of domestic work and create a supportive environment where women can pursue their goals and aspirations.
- Be mindful of your language and actions: Pay attention to the language you use and avoid derogatory or sexist remarks or jokes. Treat women with respect and dignity in all interactions. Be aware of unconscious biases you may hold and actively work to challenge and overcome them.
- Engage in self-reflection and growth: Continuously reflect on your own beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors concerning gender. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism, and be willing to learn and grow as an ally. Challenge your own biases and privilege.
- Support women-led initiatives: Seek out and support organizations, initiatives, and campaigns that empower and uplift women. Donate to causes that promote gender equality, volunteer your time, or lend your skills to projects that benefit women and girls.
- Foster equality in personal relationships: Ensure that your personal relationships embody equality and respect. Treat women as equals, value their opinions, and support their aspirations. Encourage open and honest communication.
Remember, being an ally is an ongoing process, and it requires active effort and commitment. It’s essential to recognize that women’s experiences are diverse, and it’s important to listen to and learn from various perspectives.
That’s not allying with women – that’s being the “nice” guy who uses a situation to ingratiate himself by proving how much better than another man he is to a complete stranger. If he wasn’t as much a weirdo himself, he’d have left it at “You ok?”. Men can see through that shit, just as much as we can see through these fictional accounts of interactions designed to do nothing but waste people’s times like an online soap opera.
Except he wasn’t ingratiating himself. He came in, he reinforced what the woman said, he checked in the aftermath to make sure she was okay and felt safe, and then we can only conclude that after that point he left her the fuck alone. He gained nothing by it. You thinking he was maybe a little more wordy than necessary doesn’t mean that he was doing it for his own gain.