Mocambo was the legendary nightclub on Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles where the Hollywood elite would frequent during the 1940’s and 50’s. Ella Fitzgerald wanted to play there but due to the segregation laws it remained a dream. Marilyn Monroe called the Mocambo owner and told him if he booked Ella, she'd take a front table every night. Ella Fitzgerald became the first black performer at the Mocambo, paving the way for others to follow. And this changed Ella’s career forever, as after Marilyn’s endorsement she never had to play a small jazz club again. This is what true allyship looks like!
When was the last time you put your reputation on the line as an ally by taking action and supporting someone from a marginalised group?
Active allyship
Allyship needs to start with an examination of self, to better understand the power, privilege, and access available to you as an individual, as a result of the different identity groups to which you belong. Being an ally also requires deep education about the communities that you’re interested in demonstrating allyship toward. In Denmark, there is a disconnect between how minorities and majority cultures define allyship. The majority culture in Denmark think the most meaningful action they can take is to speak out about gender discrimination, whereas minorities think the best thing an ally can do is advocate for new opportunities. I think that cultural understanding and empathy are crucial for effective allyship efforts in order to have a more inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.