Being an Effective Ally Against Oppression

Being an Effective Ally Against Oppressive Systems

Introduction

Youth Move Change Initiative (YMCI) hosted a virtual summit for youth on November 13th, 2021. Our goal was to hold an intentional space inviting young leaders with lived experience from across the U.S. to weigh in on the current state of peer support within their communities. 

Ashlee Marie Preston joined us for a keynote conversation to offer knowledge, resources, and a powerful conversation.

Ashlee Marie Preston is rapidly emerging as a prominent, cultural presence in the age of the conscious consumer. She aims to secure endorsement deals with future-forward brands that are shifting the social ecology via diverse representation—and authentic voices. Ashlee Marie is currently working on her first book, raising money for her next documentary film, and is building her profile as a media maven.

She is historically the first trans person in the U.S. to become Editor in Chief of a national publication and the first openly trans person to run for state office in California. Ashlee Marie was named one of The Root 100’s “Most Influential African Americans of 2017”, profiled as one of LOGO/ NewNowNext’s 30 Most Influential LGBTQ Influencers of 2017 & 2018, PopSugar’s top 40 LGBTQ’s of 2017, OUT Magazine’s OUT100 of 2018, made her TED talk debut in September of 2018, and was chosen as one of Coca-  Cola’s “Next Generation LGBTQ Leadership” influencers of 2018. In addition, she was honored as one of  Essence  Magazine’s “WOKE 100” of 2019, made the BlackList100 of 2020, and was a national surrogate for Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 Presidential Campaign. 

Learning Objectives

  • Gain perspective on the experience of being a TED X presenter.
  • Understand the unique meaning and importance of “radical self-care”
  • Learn about what it means to dismantle all systems of oppression and what are steps that we can take today to start or continue this work as a collective.
  • Gain perspective on what it means to be an effective ally.

Being an Effective Ally Against Oppressive Systems

This presentation is available by request only. Please fill out the following form and we will send you a private link to view. 

Request Access

Questions for Reflection

  • What does radical self-care mean to you? How do you practice this for yourself? 
  • In your opinion, what do you believe is the biggest barrier impacting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC mental health in your community at this time? 
  • How do you personally work through feelings of shame and vulnerability?
  • If you had a magic wand to change 1 thing in the world, what would it be and why? 
  • What is one takeaway message from this keynote that you will carry forward?

Activity

Use this guide created by TED X to design your own TED Talk presentation! This guide will take you from getting familiar with the form, developing your idea, to designing an outline and script, creating slides, rehearsing, and finally, giving your talk!

If you’re interested in building up your skills at public speaking, you can also take this free online course offered by Harvard University HERE. 

To start your journey, reflect on the following questions:

  • Is there a topic or issue that’s largely impacting your community or your life?
  • Is there a topic or issue that you’re most passionate about addressing?
  • Are these topics already being spoken to and addressed locally? If not, what are the most important messages you want to make visible to your community through your talk?

Additional Resources

Discussion

Keep the discussion going on the Youth MOVE forums! You can share your thoughts about this topic or others below. Share your voice!

[wpforo]