Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

This month has been marked by protests demanding racial justice, following police shootings in St. Paul and Baton Rouge. At some of the protests in Minnesota, white allies outnumbered blacks. Historically, allies have played an important role in pushing movements forward. 

Allies on the front lines — Black Lives Matter's non-black activists


But what does it mean to be an ally? And what makes a good ally? Whether in the fight for racial justice, gender equity or other social change, what are the best practices to make sure you're helping — and not hurting — a cause?


MPR News guest host Marianne Combs talked with three community members about these questions:

 is a professor of African-American & African Studies at the University of Minnesota


"I look for an ally that is willing to know that they don't know, is willing to ask when they don't know, and is also willing to talk to folks of their own communities about what they don't know and also how to grow," said shayden gonzalez, to kick off the conversation.

For the full discussion of what it means to be an ally, use the audio player above.

Social Issues

Shows

MPR News with Tom Weber

Tom Weber Brief

MPR News Staff

Author

Historically, allies have played an important role in pushing social movements forward. But what does it mean to be an ally? Three guests share their perspectives.

When  the Coalition to Wake Your Ass Up led the protest on highway I-94 in support of Black Lives Matter, it raised questions about the roles of allies. Marianne Combs looked at how allies have historically helped the civil right movement, and at what cost. How can you be a good ally, and when are you doing more harm than good?  Artist activist Ashley Fairbanks, professor Keith Mayes, and RECLAIM director Shayden Gonzalez joined Marianne for the conversation. 7/26/16

What does it mean to be a good ally?

Go Deeper.

Like this?