Support vs. Saviourism

For several years now, the landscape of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) has been an integral and intentional focus of the work that I do. At its core, this is all about working with those around me and engaging in the work of dismantling systems of injustice in all spaces. Admittedly, this work is complex, challenging and sometimes quite exhausting. And, I keep doing it -- because it's necessary. 

Several things make this work challenging. First, our collective understanding of what's needed is ever-changing. Second, there is no roadmap for the work; no easy fix; no universal solution, as it were. Third, the actual landscape is constantly shifting. As more and more gets explored, challenged, researched and put into practice, as centuries of belief are held under the microscope and questioned, the systems that society has come to understand and accept as "normal" are being challenged and put to the test. Which means change is afoot. And, whenever change is afoot, in any realm, things get super uncomfortable. 

In the work of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -- which, at its core is about doing away with marginalization and creating spaces in which all people are welcome, included and have a sense of belonging -- the need for support from folks in dominant culture is essential. The challenge with support is that, when those in dominant culture aren't careful, support can slip into saviourism. Support and saviourism are very different things, and they need to be held as different. 

Support is what allies engage in when they use their power and privilege to HELP do the necessary work alongside marginalized groups, without taking over and speaking for those same marginalized groups. In other words, the voices, experiences and needs of those who are marginalized is centred and believed over the voices, experiences and needs of those in dominant culture. 

Saviourism is what supposed allies engage in when they swoop in to fix a scenario for marginalized groups without taking the time to hear what those folx actually need. They co-opt the cause -- whatever it might be -- and work to put their solutions into play, without really checking in to see how or if their understanding is complete. 

The biggest challenge here -- the challenge of separating support from saviourism -- is that saviourism feels really good. Often, saviour behaviour can result in the appearance of a solution, but it comes at the expense of marginalized communities. In other words, it doesn't actually elevate or empower marginalized folx; it keeps them small and inadvertently keeps the dominant culture narrative in play. 

When allies are supportive, however, the solutions often need more time to bear fruit. The supporters are probably going to be "hurt" in some way -- you know, in the same way that the marginalized are hurt daily. But this is actually the tell-tale sign of whether or not you are supporting or saving; if you're not getting singed in the process (metaphorically speaking, of course), then you're probably standing too far away from the central issue to actually be supportive.

Am I suggesting that allies need to put themselves in danger? Not really; and maybe. I am saying that support is about standing beside those in marginalized communities, not just paying lip-service to your supposed stance, not just posting cute memes and graphics on social media, not just reading books about DEI. And support is definitely not about speaking for or on behalf of those in need of your support. It's not about "coming up with a solution for them". Instead, it's about developing solutions alongside them. 

Bottom-line: if you're going to engage in the work of dismantling systems of injustice -- which is what DEI work is all about -- then you need to understand the distinction between acting as saviour and acting in support. Support is absolutely needed. You must show up and speak up. And the way to support is to put your ego aside, dare to get as uncomfortable as folks in marginalized groups themselves are uncomfortable, and stand beside them. Work beside them. Challenge the system beside them. And together, we will -- I have to believe that we will -- eventually create a world that is one in which all groups feel valued and like they belong.