Undo Erasure, and Other Actions for Allies

Each week, Karen Catlin shares five simple actions to create a more inclusive merit-based workplace and be a better ally.

1. Undo erasure

Last week, the state of Florida painted over a rainbow-colored crosswalk that honored the 49 victims killed in the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. Source: BBC Soon after, community members repainted the rainbow, refusing to let inclusion be erased.

And that’s not all. Florida’s Department of Transportation has ordered cities across the state to take down Pride-themed crosswalks and street art. Fort Lauderdale’s mayor expressed concerns, stating that the goal is to “eliminate the visibility of the LGBT community.” Source: NBC News

What’s happening in Florida is a stark reminder that inclusion isn’t only about policies. It’s about the visible signals that say you belong here.

In your workplace, if inclusive symbols disappear, don’t stay silent. Speak up. For example:

• If inclusive posters or Slack emojis vanish, ask about bringing them back.
• If visitor forms no longer ask for a guest’s pronouns, suggest adding them again.
• If a conference room that had been named for someone from a historically marginalized group is renamed, ask why and advocate for restoring its original name.

Sometimes erasure happens quietly, without anyone questioning it.

Let’s make belonging visible again, in every workplace.

Share this action on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, or YouTube.

2. Double down on your values

Earlier this month, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) made headlines: They announced they would no longer accept federal funding. Their reason? Recent federal policy changes conflict with ACOG’s mission to provide evidence-based guidance and care. Source: MedPage Today

That’s a bold move and a powerful reminder that mission statements and values matter.

It’s easy to champion inclusion when the stakes are low. But what about when they’re high? Would we…

• Turn down funding tied to unethical practices?
• Let go of a star performer after misconduct, even if it hurts the bottom line?
• Walk away from a lucrative deal because it clashes with our values?

Allyship isn’t just about everyday actions. It’s also about making hard calls that protect people, even when profits or partnerships are at risk.

What are the lines you won’t cross? And when the pressure’s on, will you hold them?

3. Ask what works best for them

September is Deaf Awareness Month in the U.S. In a LinkedIn post by Christopher Caulfield, a product manager at Microsoft who is deaf, I learned a few ways we can be better allies for coworkers who are part of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Caulfield pointed out that this community is diverse, with each person having their preferred method of communication. So, be sure to ask about what’s best for them. He wrote,

“Don’t hesitate to ask about their preferred method of communication — be it sign language, written communication, or another medium. Also check-in on how the setting of your conversation is going and if anything can be optimized.”

I’ll add this tip: If you’re hosting a virtual meeting with someone who is deaf or might have hearing loss, ask if your platform will work for them.

For example, when I scheduled a meeting last year with Meryl K. Evans, a deaf accessibility consultant and speaker, I asked if Zoom provided the accessibility functionality she needed. She replied yes — if I had enabled automatic captions. At the time, I hadn’t. But I turned them on before our meeting.

By the way, if I were to hold that meeting with Evans today, I might not have to do anything. Zoom has announced it’s enabling captions automatically. It will be rolled out in phases to all Zoom users by the end of September.

4. Insist on the mic

At a recent webinar, the host asked me,

“At conferences, I often hear someone shout, ‘I’ve got a loud voice; I don’t need a mic.’ What’s problematic about this from an inclusion point of view, and what should an ally do?”

Such a great question.

Here’s the thing: when someone refuses the mic, they’re shutting people out.

• Some attendees may have hearing loss.
• Others might use assistive listening devices that require a microphone feed.
• Live captioning, whether automated or human, relies on clear audio from the mic.
• Sign language interpreters’ jobs become more difficult when they have to strain to hear the dialogue.
• Even people with great hearing might miss the question if they’re sitting near a noisy fan.

Skipping the mic doesn’t just inconvenience a few. It creates an exclusionary experience for many.

That’s why allies should speak up. A gentle but firm: “Please use the mic so everyone can hear you.”

It’s a small ask that makes a big difference. Every darn time.

5. Community Spotlight: Forward this newsletter

This week’s spotlight on an ally action from the Better Allies community is from a newsletter subscriber who wrote,

“My activity on our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council has prompted engagement surveys, formation of ERG groups, and volunteerism in our most underserved communities, but I truly believe that my deepest and most fulfilling work comes from the conversations that are sparked by forwarding your Better Allies newsletters to our Executive Committee and Board of Directors every week.”

They added,

“As each Leader picks out an actionable step to take, the culture at our organization is slowly shifting toward more inclusion, deeper understanding of our communities, and greater connection between associates and clients. Our retention rates are better, and the courageous conversations we have with struggling teammates are better supported thanks to resources like your newsletter.”

Why, thank you very much! 🤗

If you’ve taken a step towards being a better ally, please reply to this email and tell me about it. And let me know if I can quote you, either by name or credit you anonymously, in an upcoming newsletter.

That’s all for this week. I wish you strength and safety as we all move forward.

Karen Catlin (she/her), Author of the Better Allies® book series
pronounced KAIR-en KAT-lin, click to hear my name

Copyright © 2025 Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

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