“I want to be an ally—but where do I start?”
Many people initially associate allyship with being friendly and not discriminating against anyone. But that's not enough. It's not enough to not be part of the problem.
The key is to take responsibility. That means actively supporting where passivity is not enough.
Privileges are often invisible. Here are a few examples:
Viewing an apartment without worrying about being rejected because of your appearance.
Having a name that doesn't raise questions.
Being able to finish speaking in meetings without being interrupted.
The list goes on and shows where allyship begins in everyday life.
It becomes concrete through conscious action:
Reflect on your own position. Recognize inequalities. Listen. Learn. Allow mistakes. And above all: stick with it.
Even without a leadership role, you can still exert influence. The first steps don't require a big stage – just the willingness to take responsibility in your own environment. Every decision and every conversation offers an opportunity to show visible support.
Why does allyship depend on each and every one of us?