Ep. 5, Allyship


Episode Date: Feb. 27, 2025

"It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power,
is the most ferocious enemy justice can have." -James Baldwin.

What does it mean to be an ally? More importantly, what does it mean to be an active ally?

In this episode of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka takes a deep dive into the meaning of allyship—breaking down the difference between reactive and proactive allies, the role of self-transformation in social change, and the need for radical, authentic allyship in dismantling systems of oppression. Through historical context, personal insights, and a powerful spoken-word piece, this episode challenges us all to go beyond performative support and commit to meaningful action.

Ally Acronym: A: Action, L: Listening, L: Learning, Y: Yielding

The Breakdown

Books:

  • , Layla F. Saad
  • Davey Shlasko (Illustrated by Kai Hofius)
  • , Short Stories, Edited by Mariam Khan
  • , Michelle Good
  • , Erika L. Sánchez
  • , Edited by Alice Wong