Preformative Allyship, and what you can do instead.
The Blue Bracelets: Performative Allyship in Action
In the wake of the latest election, a curious trend began to emerge: blue bracelets on wrists, signaling supposed solidarity and political alignment. These accessories, while visually striking, raise an important question—are they a genuine call to action, or just another example of performative allyship?
In a special bonus episode of Catalyst, I unpacked the layers of meaning behind these bracelets and explored why they may do more harm than good in our fight for meaningful change. If you haven’t had the chance to tune in yet, here’s a quick recap of what I discussed—and why it’s so critical.
TUNE IN EVERY WEEK
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CATALYST: DISTRUPTER ERA
Blue Bracelets are a RED FLAG. Here’s what you can do instead…
In todays episode:
These bracelets have become a social marker, a way for wearers to publicly display their values. But when the action ends at the wrist, their impact is limited. Wearing a bracelet isn’t the same as engaging in the deep work of dismantling systems of oppression—it’s easy, it’s visible, and it’s LAZY. It creates a false sense of having “done enough.”
The problem isn’t necessarily the bracelets themselves but the complacency they can symbolize. Allyship requires sustained action, not just a momentary display.
The Call for Authentic Action
In the episode, I highlighted steps white women (and anyone serious about change) can take beyond performative gestures:
Diversify Your Social Media Feeds: Follow voices that challenge your assumptions and broaden your perspective.
Evaluate Influencer Choices: Understand the political leanings of those you admire and how their platforms influence societal norms.
Engage in Hard Conversations: Speak out when friends, family, or colleagues express bigotry—don’t let discomfort silence you.
Take Responsibility for Education: Anti-bias work isn’t a one-time effort. Listen to podcasts (like this one), read challenging books, and attend workshops to deepen your understanding.
Make Advocacy a Daily Practice: True allyship requires ongoing effort. It’s not about one grand gesture but a lifetime of intentional choices.
The Bigger Picture
This episode isn’t about shaming people for wearing blue bracelets—it’s about encouraging everyone to dig deeper. Performative allyship can give the illusion of progress while leaving systemic inequities untouched. To create real change, we must move beyond symbols to engage in sustained, meaningful work.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to take your disruptor journey to the next level, this bonus episode is a must-listen. Together, we can learn to recognize performative behaviors in ourselves and others—and take actionable steps toward a more equitable future.
Check out the full episode for this important conversation.
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Welcome to your Disruptor Era, the inclusive podcast that serves as the Catalyst to your disruptor era. I'm Nike Aurea, your new disruptor bestie, an educator, and inclusion consultant on a mission to empower you to embrace your inner disruptor. In this space, we explore the power of radical change, challenging existing systems, and unlearning harmful socializations.
Join me as we dive into conversations that go beyond the surface, pushing boundaries and sparking transformation. Whether you're an advocate for change, a curious mind, or someone seeking to create safer spaces, Disruptor Era is your go-to podcast community. Together, we'll navigate the complexities of disrupting the norm and fostering inclusivity, not just for our communities but also for ourselves.
Get ready to question, learn, and DISRUPT for instrumental change, with Disruptor Era—the podcast that encourages you to be the change you never knew you needed.
