Accomplice
Shift your thoughts into actions. An accomplice is someone who takes the necessary steps to ensure a space is safe from any judgment. “An accomplice will focus more on dismantling the structures that oppress that individual or group” (1). If you want to promote advocacy and truth, one cannot sit solely in allyship. It’s time to leap into action and become an accomplice.
Moving from Ally to Accomplice
While these two terms are often used interchangeably, a few distinct traits define an Accomplice. The term accomplice encompasses allyship but extends beyond to action and advocacy (2). Simply put, an ally will actively listen to marginalized voices, and an accomplice will take action to break down racist and white supremacist systems.
An ally may work to make changes on an individual level; an accomplice will use their privilege to challenge existing conditions at the risk of their own comfort and well-being, and tackle racial injustices at an institutional level (2). Now, you may feel uncomfortable or concerned as the connotations with the word “ally” are traditionally positive, and the connotations with the word “accomplice” tend to be negative (3). However, looking through a historical lens, we recognize that many of the liberties marginalized group members have now did not exist in the past and required significant political disruption to initiate change (3). Disruption is not easy, nor is it polite. Being an accomplice does not necessarily result in physical harm; it does mean literally putting yourself in a position that indisputably communicates your stance on advocating alongside marginalized groups, or being “complicit in a struggle towards liberation” (3).
Activity
Need more clarification?
Watch “From Ally to Accomplice” (4) on becoming an accomplice for the LGBTQ+ community.
Watch this video by Dr. Jennifer Sandoval (5) that discusses the important difference between shifting perspective from ally to accomplice, how to be comfortable with your privilege and become an active accomplice to marginalized groups within society.
To be an accomplice does not mean that being an ally is unproductive or less valuable. Allyship and being an accomplice are both critical stances for individuals to take. Choosing to act as an ally or accomplice is a decision that requires reflective thinking and, in some circumstances, considerations for personal safety (6). Both the roles of ally and accomplice are situational and dynamic, rather than static (6). To explore these contrasting roles further, read Opportunities for White People in the Fight for Racial Justice (7).
Racism and White Supremacy
“White Supremacy is a historically based, institutionally perpetuated system of exploitation and oppression of continents, nations, and peoples of colour by white peoples and nations of the European continent, to maintain and defend a system of wealth, power, and privilege” (8). In the article, “Ideology of White Supremacy,” (9) white supremacy and racism are often thought of as a problem of personal prejudices, and individual acts of discrimination.
In reality, it is a web of interlocking, and reinforcing institutions—political, economic, and social—and all of our systems. The roots of white supremacy in Canada lie in Euro-Canadians establishing economic exploitation over Indigenous peoples, specifically by stealing land. This exploitation was historically justified by racist ideologies and policies that affirmed the “inferiority” of Indigenous peoples which unfortunately persists today through systemic racism (8).
Activity
Learn More
Watch Kyle "Guante" Tran Myhre - How to Explain White Supremacy to a White Supremacist (10). Author Guante’s slam poetry might evoke strong emotions, and provide a valuable opportunity to sit with white privilege and racism.
Read Indigenous Title and the Doctrine of Discovery (24). This blog post details the Doctrine of Discovery, and how it effectively stole the land of Indigenous Peoples.
Who Benefits from Racist and White Supremacist Systems?
Systemic racism, also known as institutional racism, refers to the ways that whiteness and white superiority have been written into our laws, policies, and social systems to uphold the power, wealth, and privileges of white people while creating disadvantages among marginalized groups (11). Systemic racism is deeply-rooted in Canada as it is a colonial state, therefore our systems have been designed to benefit white colonialists while actively disadvantaging Indigenous peoples (11). This power dynamic continues to be upheld and reinforced in Canada, therefore we must actively work to dismantle these systems.
Activity
Learn More
Listen to The Invisibility of White Privilege with Brian Lowery, PhD (12). Throughout this clip, Dr. Lowery discusses the factors that drive many white Americans to ignore or deny the existence of white privilege. He also explains actions to combat racial injustice. This audio recording will provide you with an opportunity to reflect on how you may intentionally or unintentionally uphold white privilege.
Watch, “White Men: Time to Discover your Cultural Blind Spots” a TedX Talk (13) to hear Michael Welp discuss how he identified his privilege as a white male and his role within an oppressive society. Welp shares his personal experiences as a white male and and specific ways to challenge oppressive systems.
Guilt Paralysis
If you are new to discussions of systemic racism, discussing and reflecting on white supremacy may make you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you are a non-white settler with strong ties to your Canadian heritage. Perhaps you identify as white (or have never hand to identify yourself as white), or you “do not see colour.” Perhaps you have been taught to believe the justification and intention (perceived inferiority of Indigenous people and culture) instead of questioning the motivation and impact (perceived supremacy of European people and culture). And perhaps, learning about Canada’s history of white supremacist ideologies, policies, and actions makes you feel as though you are being blamed for something that you had no part in creating.
Feelings of guilt are often part of the process of understanding oppression and injustice, but they are temporary. Guilt is not an excuse to avoid taking action (14). For those who are part of the dominant group in society, guilt is rooted in privilege; paralysis by guilt functions to protect your social position and uphold oppression (14). The creation of white supremacy and racism is not personally your fault; we are all responsible for dismantling it and creating a better future. Sometimes, change can begin with just one person, one simple action. This is how one becomes a true accomplice.
Activity
Learn More
Read “How to Be An Anti-Racist When You’re Paralyzed by White Guilt” (15) to learn how you can act as an anti-racist, even if you’re paralyzed by white guilt. The author explains how you may be fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing, but doing nothing perpetuates racism. Silence is compliance. [warning: explicit language].
Reflect on this
Have you ever been stuck in guilt paralysis? What caused it?
While using this toolkit, you may feel overcome with guilt. In recognizing what you now understand about guilt paralysis, how can you ensure that these feelings are only temporary?
Being an Accomplice for Indigenous People
Now that you have an established idea of what the role of an accomplice is, let’s identify how you can serve as an accomplice for Indigenous people.
Develop a Land Acknowledgement
The starting point for becoming an accomplice is to articulate your relationship to Indigenous people whose land you are occupying (17). Land acknowledgements are of critical importance to recognize who the land belongs to, and express gratitude to who lived and worked on this land historically and presently (18). For guidance on writing your own land acknowledgement, please refer to “Developing Your Own Land Acknowledgment” in the subsection below.
Be aware of hand-holding
While there may be some Indigenous people who have the time and capacity to walk you through becoming an accomplice, remember that it is not their responsibility (18). Do your own research on current issues oppressing Indigenous people. We encourage you to diversify your news feeds, seek out marginalized voices, and read current literature.
Continually educate yourself
This toolkit is merely the beginning of your journey towards becoming an accomplice, and a stepping stone towards reconciliation. Using this toolkit is not enough, and you should continually educate yourself throughout your life. The process of being an accomplice requires continual humility and critical self-reflection. Remember that being an accomplice is not something to wear as a badge of honour, but it is a sign of your privilege.
Donate your money appropriately.
Coordinate (and pay for) organizations that conduct anti-racism training to facilitate their workshops within your school, places of worship, neighbourhood, workplace. Raise funds and bundle money for organizations with an explicit racial justice mission, led by directly impacted individuals. Raise money publicly, but donate more silently, as this is not for boosting your ego (7).
Disrupt white supremacy
Purposefully disrupt white spaces, meaning, create discomfort in places where other white people and whiteness would otherwise exist in comfort (7). Join an organization with an explicit aim of naming and disrupting racial injustice (7).
Activity
We encourage you to explore these podcasts
Allyship Ignited by Shay Colley and Cole Goulet. Episode 2 Part 1: Who is our Teacher? (19). How can we turn our care into action? We care about others and their different lived experiences, so how do we take this care and act upon it?
Go Smudge Yourself by Jen Green. Episode 4: How to be a Better Ally to Indigenous peoples (20). Being a good ally to Indigenous Peoples comes with many complexities. In this episode, Jen Green discusses how to navigate these difficulties. She offers 7 “Calls to Action” for white people to follow in the journey of becoming accomplices.
The Red Nation Podcast by Nick Estes and Jen Marley. “I have seen the future” with Mark Tilsen (21). Mark Tilesen is a Lakota water protector and poet. In this episode he talks about being on the frontlines of land defense and the poetry book that he published includes stories of advocacy efforts.
Developing Your Own Land Acknowledgement
A land acknowledgment involves more than recognizing the Indigenous People and the land you are visiting. It requires you to think deeply and look inwards at your connection to the land. Another step is to pay homage and truly understand the history, and how it has shaped you. When reflecting, it is essential that you know the impact our ancestors have made and how our settlement (past to present) has affected the first peoples of this land. Land acknowledgments are also a way to give the identity back to the Indigenous people (22).
Read Land Acknowledgements: From Recitation to Reality (23) to get further ideas on what to reflect.
Reflection Questions to Start Developing A Land Acknowledgement:
What is the purpose of the land acknowledgement? Why are you writing a land acknowledgement?
How can you honour and respect the Indigenous people?
How can you acknowledge the history of Indigenous people?
What is your commitment to the land acknowledgement?
Key Terms
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“An accomplice works within a system and “directly challenges institutionalized/ systemic racism, colonization, and white supremacy by blocking or impeding racist people, policies, and structures” (16).
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Parachuters tend to think of themselves as experts on a topic, they stand up for whatever topic is hot news and they take a “power-over” approach to working with minority groups. (17).
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“Gatekeepers seek power over, not with, others. They are known for the tactics of controlling and/or withholding information, resources, connections, support, etc. Gatekeepers come from the outside and from within. When exposed they are usually rendered ineffective” (17).
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“Allies that hop from group to group and issue to issue, are never committed enough but always wanting their presence felt and their voices heard. They tend to disappear when it comes down to being held accountable or taking responsibility for [their actions]” (17).
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“White supremacy is a historically based, institutionally perpetuated system of exploitation and oppression of continents, nations, and peoples of colour, by white peoples and nations of the European continent, to maintain and defend a system of wealth, power, and privilege” (8).
Knowledge Sharing Series
If you want to create change, one cannot only be an ally to traditional marginalized communities. It’s time to leap into action and become an accomplice.
Annie Korver and Mandy Lunn’s share steps to take to become an accomplice by working to dismantle the structures that oppress racialized and marginalized people. Annie and Mandy discuss how to overcome guilt paralysis and tackle racial injustices on an institutional level in order to craft a better future for all.
