A wonderful blog post on being a good ally

http://mikkikendall.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/the-dos-and-donts-of-being-a-good-ally/

Also it should be added that, dating someone of a group you are an ally of does not give you license to be an asshole about that group. In fact that is actually abusing the title of ally. (Here's to looking at you my most recent crazy ex who fell under quite a few subheadings of this post including the "Oppression Olympics," creates her identity around the oppressions of her diverse group of friends to the detriment of all involved, and preys on mixed-race transmasculine folks.)

On another note, I have been thinking a lot recently about what it means to be a good ally within poc communities, especially when it comes to talking about different racial experiences and oppressions. Solidarity will look different according to one's positionality. This is obvious, but recently I went to a Mixed Student Union meeting and the organizers emphasized "the" mixed heritage experience, which seemed really reductive to me. Obviously being a mixed poc with no white heritage is different than being all poc and mixed. I think there is a caution to really parse out what experiences beyond racism different folks in communities of color experience along lines of class and sexuality also. Anyway, just some food for thought.