Can anti-racism training improve outgroup liking and allyship behaviours?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Allies are members of a dominant group that work to dismantle oppression experienced by subordinate groups. Given the well-documented mental health impact of all forms of racism on people of colour, including microaggressions, cultivating White allies is important for reducing racism and advancing equity. This paper examines the impact of two diversity workshops on White college students, examining allophilia (anti-prejudiced feelings) and interpersonal allyship towards Black people both before and after the workshops and at one-month follow-up. We examined what aspects of liking improved after each worksop by assessing changes in each of the five components of allophilia (Affection, Comfort, Kinship, Engagement, and Enthusiasm), and if either workshop was able to precipitate increased racial allyship. Significant changes were found by condition, immediately, post-workshop, and at follow-up. Increases in allyship were predicted by increases in allophilia, specifically Enthusiasm. Implications of findings and suggestions for improving future anti-racism interventions are discussed.