Book SummaryBetter Allies, by Karen Catlin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Better Allies

The Foundations of Allyship and Understanding Privilege

Catlin's "Better Allies" lays the foundation for allyship by first establishing the core concepts of privilege and the dynamics between marginalized groups and those with more power. Catlin highlights the necessity of recognizing the privilege you have and embracing a continuous learning journey. The book then distinguishes allies from "knights," those whose actions may be well-intentioned but ultimately fail to make a systemic impact. Finally, Catlin underscores the importance of being attentive and learning from underrepresented communities, showing respect, and intervening when witnessing biased or discriminatory behavior.

Recognizing and Using Personal Privileges for Good

Catlin begins by emphasizing how privilege contributes to allyship. According to the author, allyship begins with a deep understanding of your privileges and leveraging those advantages to empower those who have less access and face more obstacles.

Acknowledging Advantages and Their Implications at Work

Catlin defines privilege as advantages that are unearned and granted to those who belong to a particular societal category. These benefits, she explains, are not necessarily associated with wealth or connections but are based on societal categories such as one's ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual identity, ability, and others. Catlin argues that those with privilege often don't realize it, making them defensive when it is pointed out. She uses the analogy of two friends taking different bike routes, one easier than the other, to illustrate that privilege doesn’t guarantee an easy life; it means individuals may encounter fewer challenges than others. In the workplace, Catlin emphasizes that privilege can boost one's confidence, enabling them to leverage networks, feel comfortable contributing during gatherings, and be assured of equitable pay and respect.

Context

• The concept of privilege is rooted in historical power dynamics where certain groups have been systematically advantaged over others, often through laws, policies, and cultural norms that favor one group over another.

Other Perspectives

• Defensiveness may arise from a lack of understanding or from feeling accused, rather than from the mere act of pointing out privilege.
• Encountering fewer challenges does not inherently lead to a better ability to cope with adversity, potentially leaving privileged individuals less resilient when faced with difficulties.
• Equitable pay and respect are ideals that, in practice, can be influenced by factors other than privilege, such as company policies, union representation, and individual negotiation skills.

Identifying Privileges Through "Potential Privileges" List

To help readers identify their personal advantages, Catlin provides a comprehensive catalog of "50 Possible Workplace Privileges." The author encourages readers to tally how many privileges apply to them compared to their coworkers, emphasizing that the goal is not to instill guilt but to foster awareness and leverage their advantages to support those with fewer. The list includes advantages like being white, male, straight, able-bodied, and holding a degree, as well as subtle privileges like avoiding requests to perform menial work, feeling comfortable in group settings, and receiving constructive technical feedback. Catlin emphasizes that by recognizing their advantages, individuals can become more empathetic and use their standing to empower others.

Practical Tips

• Volunteer for a role reversal day with a colleague from a different department or level within the company. By swapping tasks or shadowing each other, you gain insight into the privileges associated with different roles and perspectives. For instance, if you work in a managerial position, spend a day performing the duties of an entry-level employee to understand their challenges and privileges (or lack thereof).
• Implement a 'one-for-one' approach in your daily life to support those with fewer privileges. For every non-essential item you purchase for yourself (like a book or a piece of clothing), buy a second item and donate it to someone in need or to a charity. This habit not only helps you become more conscious of your consumption but also directly benefits others.
• You can start a privilege journal to track moments when you benefit from societal advantages. Each day, jot down instances where you might have received preferential treatment or avoided hardship due to aspects of your identity. This could be as simple as noticing you're not followed in a store, reflecting on the ease of finding band-aids matching your skin tone, or recognizing when your voice is readily heard and respected in a meeting. The act of writing these down increases self-awareness and can guide you towards understanding the lived experiences of others who may not share these privileges.
• Create a more inclusive environment by initiating casual group activities that encourage participation from everyone. Organize a regular coffee break or a virtual hangout where each person is invited to share something about their day or a personal interest. This can help those who usually feel uncomfortable in group settings to find common ground with others and feel more at ease.
• Create an "Empathy Map" for someone you interact with regularly, like a coworker or neighbor. On a piece of paper, draw sections for what they say, think, do, and feel. Fill it out based on your observations and conversations, then reflect on how your advantages might differ from theirs. This exercise can help you understand their perspective better and foster empathy in your daily interactions. For instance, noticing that a neighbor is always busy with caregiving might prompt you to offer help or simply a listening ear.
• Share your platform by inviting others to contribute to your blog, social media, or any other...

Better Allies Summary Building Inclusive Networks, Communities, and Occasions

Beyond personal interaction, Catlin emphasizes the impact of one’s network and community environments on supporting and promoting marginalized groups. The author provides strategies for diversifying networks to avoid perpetuating homogeneity in hiring and promoting people. She also provides detailed guidance for making gatherings genuinely inclusive, considering not only speaker representation but accessibility, rules of behavior, and an overall welcoming atmosphere for participants of varied backgrounds.

Diversifying One's Professional Network

Catlin argues that uniform professional circles, while comfortable, limit opportunities and perspectives, creating echo chambers that perpetuate existing power structures. The author challenges readers to move beyond "similar to me" connections and actively engage with individuals of varied experiences.

Dangers of "Similar to Me" Networks in Hiring and Advancement

Catlin explains that homogeneous networks can unintentionally perpetuate bias and harm marginalized groups, because those in positions of power rely heavily on their networks for referrals, advice, and talent spotting. If those networks lack diversity, decisions...

Better Allies Summary Empowering Marginalized Voices at Work

Catlin delves into specific workplace situations where those who support others can take action to ensure marginalized perspectives are acknowledged and respected. The author provides strategies for addressing problematic meeting dynamics and supports equitable distribution of “non-promotable tasks,” those assignments that often fall disproportionately on female and BIPOC employees.

Uplifting and Protecting Marginalized Voices in Collaborative Settings

Catlin examines the dynamics of meetings, arguing that too often they perpetuate existing power imbalances and become breeding grounds for biased and microaggressive behavior. The author highlights specific behaviors that allies should address, such as "manterruptions," "bro-propriation," and showboating.

Addressing "Manterruptions" to Ensure All Viewpoints Are Considered

Catlin highlights studies indicating that women in various professional settings, including the US Supreme Court, are interrupted far more frequently than men. She describes the phenomenon of “manterruptions” and argues that they contribute to silencing women’s voices and weakening their contributions. Catlin provides actionable tips for allies to...

Better Allies Summary Implementing Equitable Hiring, Feedback, and Career Advancement Practices

Catlin provides detailed guidance to help allies dismantle biased systems and practices that hinder workplace efforts toward inclusivity, fairness, and diversity. The author focuses on three key areas - hiring, feedback, and career advancement - offering actionable steps to ensure that opportunities are open and accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.

Cultivating Inclusive Hiring Processes

Catlin challenges the common excuse that “there are not enough qualified candidates” from marginalized demographics, arguing that hiring practices themselves often perpetuate existing inequalities. The author emphasizes that allies should create more equitable hiring practices to attract, evaluate, and retain diverse talent.

Welcoming Diverse Applicants Through Job Postings and Candidate Experience

Catlin explains how biased wording and images can discourage diverse applicants even before they apply. The author shares examples of real-life careers pages where photos of paintball outings and mosh pits projected an unwelcoming, even hostile, environment for women and other underrepresented individuals. Catlin encourages companies to incorporate images that authentically...

Better Allies Summary Using Inclusive Language and Communication to Make an Impact

Catlin argues that everyday language can perpetuate or challenge bias and workplace inequities. The author emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation, recognizing that word choices that were perhaps acceptable previously may require revisions as our understanding of inclusivity evolves.

Sidestep and Replace Hurtful or Exclusionary Language

Catlin provides a comprehensive list of words and phrases that allies should avoid and suggests alternative terms that can promote inclusivity. The author emphasizes that although a few of these language choices might seem like minor issues, their cumulative effect can be significant, creating subtle insults and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions and Gendered Language

Catlin encourages allies to be aware of and actively challenge gendered language in professional settings, avoiding terms like "guys" when addressing mixed-gender groups and using more inclusive alternatives like "folks" or "team." The author also recommends updating phrases that assume maleness, such as "man-hours," to more inclusive wording like "person-hours." Catlin highlights that these seemingly small...