Have Ally, Need Accomplice
Robin Naughton, Interim Deputy Chief, Assistant Professor, Web and Digital Services Librarian, Queens College Library
Simone Yearwood, Interim Dean of Faculty, School of Arts & Humanities, Queens College
All too often, to prove they are not biased or racist, people make the claim that they are allies to marginalized people. An ally is a member of the dominant group that is committed to supporting marginalized people. The positive connotation of the term “ally” and the growing community of allies means that most people have allies, but few people have accomplices—an important differentiation, despite what you might think when you hear the word “accomplice.” Its negative connotations hide the importance of the accomplice as an active participant that takes risks to help achieve a common goal. The accomplice is actively fighting against racism, microaggressions, and injustice, while the ally is often a silent supporter. It’s time to move beyond being an ally to an accomplice.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the difference between an ally and an accomplice
- Take practical steps towards becoming an accomplice
- Learn how to create a sense of belonging within their organizations
About our presenters:
Dr. Robin Naughton is Interim Deputy Chief, Assistant Professor, Web and Digital Services Librarian for Queens College Library. She is an experienced user-centered researcher and digital librarian, focused on human-computer interaction, specifically designing interactive systems that are useful, easy to use, and enjoyable.
Simone L. Yearwood is the Interim Dean of Faculty, School of Arts & Humanities, Queens College. In this role, she is responsible for strategic visioning, policy and program development, operations and personnel, and overall innovation and excellence in the Queens College Library and the School of Arts & Humanities. She has leadership, management, policy, budget, planning and implementation responsibilities.