When should you speak up as an ally? Sometimes this decision can be a difficult one to make.

• In the champion model, the ally’s role is to wield their privilege to make the far-reaching change that affected people would struggle to make on their own. Supporters of this model point out that affected people are tired from decades of fighting their own battles and educating people about their identities. Allies can shoulder some of that burden, freeing marginalized people to spend less time advocating for themselves and more time living their lives.
• In the assistant model, allies serve as helpers on projects led by others. Proponents of this model point out that affected people know best how to advance their own interests. For that reason, allies need to step back and “pass the mic” to affected people. To the extent allies bring their own ideas and voices to the table, it’s in a clearly subordinate role.
• The choice whether to be a “champion” or an “assistant” can be thorny. Here’s what you should consider: 1) Start by considering whether the affected person wants help at all. Social scientists have found that affected people can feel downcast when they receive unsolicited help without any evidence of need; 2) Assuming the affected person wants help, the next step is to consider whether they want the specific form of help you’re planning to offer. Follow the Platinum Rule, which is to “help others as they would wish to be helped.” In other words, just ask.