The UnMute Podcast Episode 006: Rachel McKinnon on Allies & Active Bystanders
Jul 14, 2015
In a thought-provoking discussion, Rachel McKinnon, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the College of Charleston, delves into the intricacies of ally culture. She critiques common pitfalls like gaslighting and tokenism while advocating for active bystander engagement. McKinnon emphasizes the significance of elevating marginalized voices and challenges listeners to rethink who can truly be an ally. Additionally, she shares insights on the power of blogs as informative platforms and highlights essential feminist literature, showcasing the evolution of advocacy in the digital age.
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Episode notes
Rethinking Allies
- Rachel McKinnon questions the traditional concept of allies, suggesting it's flawed.
- She argues that in-group members can support each other and allies use social power to help those with less.
Using White Privilege in Academia
- As a white woman teaching critical race theory, McKinnon uses her privilege to facilitate discussions.
- She acknowledges her relative safety from backlash compared to colleagues of color.
Gaslighting as Epistemic Injustice
- Gaslighting downplays injustice and attacks the victim's perception.
- Examples include questioning a victim's account of harassment or suggesting they overreacted.
