Discussion: Ally DevelopmentIf you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But, if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.—Lila Watson, Aboriginal activistThe above quote captures one aspect of ally development. The Edwards article provides important information about becoming an ally and developing advocacy skills, focusing on effective identity development, consistency, and sustainability. As a starting point, consider these questions regarding the article:
How does the Watson quote mirror those ideas?
How can you identify, remain consistent, and practice sustainability in your ally development?
In this Discussion, review the article and explore the topic of social justice ally development.
By Day 3
Post
Identify a population (*THE ELDERLY POPULATION*) with which you could become an ally.
Identify a quote or create a motto to capture the intent of your ally-ship.
Identify potential obstacles to ally-ship and explain how to address them.
Include any references in your post.
By Day 5
Respond by Day 5 to at least one of your colleague’s postings in one or more of the following ways:
Ask a probing question.
Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
Offer and support an opinion.
Validate an idea with your own experience.
Make a suggestion.
Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Colleague: Kenderlin
Alliance members work together to change or demolish oppressive structures. According to the United Nations Development Program, they strive to achieve an ideal of a society in which the allocation of resources is equal, and all members of society are physically and mentally safe and secure. Children in the foster care system are a group of individuals who, in my view, need to have someone on their side, and I consider myself to be one of those people due to my work history background. Children are often removed from their families due to the severe damage done to the child welfare system, either to protect them or because they are not receiving the care or therapy they need. Due to their extended placement in the foster care system, many children get inadequate help. Some even become corrupt due to their protracted placement in the system.
An ally that I would continue to advocate for would be teenagers in foster care: their vulnerability and the need to be protected just as much as younger children. Many communities are missing this overly populated group because most people lack knowledge about the foster care system and the welfare of children placed in the system. According to the adopt us Kids website, there are over 400,000 in the US in foster care, which shows us statistically l there is a great need. “Every child deserves a home” (Dave Thomas) with the vastly growing number of children in care and drastically low number of foster homes to take in children currently. The teenagers tend to get lost in the everyday revolving door of the foster care system due to many homes not wanting to accept them because they are teenagers. This also does not count the teenagers facing criminal charges, mental health diagnoses, etc. Becoming allies for this population could hopefully provide continued education and resources to bridge the gap between this population and the communities in which they live.
A potential obstacle would be encountering resistance from a teenager in the system due to a lack of trust and maltreatment while receiving care. We can see some stubbornness and resistant behaviors with the teenagers because they are very familiar with the system. They believed that their case was unique and no one could help them when it is prevalent and different avenues can help them: almost all the cases when handling teenagers involve running away and refusals. The only way to overcome these potential obstacles is to be persistent and be motivated to promote change within these individuals.
Reference :
Adopt Us Kids ( n.d.) Retrieve from: https://www.adoptuskids.org/
Dave Thomas ( n.d.), Quote ” Every child deserves a home and love. Period”
Powers, A. (2020). Mediation in Education for Foster Care. Pepp. Disp. Resol. LJ, 20, 101.