Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Heeding the Call: A Program on Justicemaking for Junior High School Youth

Faith In Action 2: Allies, Phase 5

Materials for Activity

  • Handout 1, Oppression Continuum, or projected Justicemakers Guide, from Workshop 5
  • Handout 2, Ally Action 5
  • The returned handouts from the last workshop
  • Pens or pencils
  • Optional: Computer and large monitor, or projector and screen

Preparation for Activity

If you are using the Justicemakers Guide electronically, test your equipment

Description of Activity

Youth continue their work to become better allies.

Ask who brought back Handout 2, Ally Action 4, from the last workshop. Acknowledge those who did and remind everyone that this is a long-term Faith in Action activity and they will be asked to bring the handout back for every workshop. Solicit volunteers to discuss any actions they took since the last workshop.

This is a good time to point out that being a good ally is something participants can work on their entire life. Though they may have done a good job of educating themselves about the group they wish to be allied with, it does not stop there. To be a true ally they will need to keep reading, keep discussing and keep acknowledging that they do not have all the answers. Members of marginalized populations are diverse-they can understand the thoughts of one member, but other members will have different perspectives. A helpful attitude emphasizes that they are “working on being a ally,” because the education and the engagement do not ever stop.

Pass out Handout 2, Ally Action 5. Tell the group that today they will work toward being a good ally by moving along the continuum from Phase 5, Recognizing and Interrupting to Phase 6: Interrupt and Educate. Ask youth to read some of the actions under Phase 6 that they might take to move from Phase 5 to Phase 6. Suggest they pick one or two to focus on.

Ask everyone to note on Handout 2, Ally Action 5, the date, the group they want to be an ally to, and the answer to the first question, “What action do you want to take?” Ask them to answer the additional questions if applicable.

Inform participants that they should bring this handout back at the next workshop. Then, they will commit to another step that will help them move along the continuum to being a better ally.