In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged within social justice movements: the rise of the “fake ally.” These individuals and organisations often maintain a high-profile and publicly proclaim their dedication to causes like gender equality and minority rights. Yet, their private actions paint a very different picture, revealing a self-serving agenda driven by ambition, social standing, and financial gain.
These “allies” excel at virtue signalling, manipulating public perception to serve their personal goals. Their advocacy can be a smokescreen — an image-building strategy to shield themselves from criticism and align with the powerful. Worse still, they often use their positions to discredit or destroy those who challenge them or question their motives, showing little interest in truth or the causes they claim to champion. Don’t get me wrong: there are genuine allies who progress important causes, and like everyone else, they sometimes mess up, but it’s crucial to differentiate between genuine mistakes, missteps in advocacy, and deliberate duplicity.
This post delves into the phenomenon of fake allyship, using real-life examples to uncover its complexities and implications, starting with actor Justin Baldoni as a case study.
Public Persona vs. Private Actions: The Illusion of Allyship
Justin Baldoni, known for his role in “Jane the Virgin,” has crafted a public persona as an advocate for feminism and equality. From speaking at women’s rights events to producing content aligned with these causes, he seems an ideal ally. Awards and accolades have only bolstered this image, making him seem almost untouchable.
Such figures know how to work the system, leveraging media appearances and strategic partnerships to gain social capital. Their public support for progressive causes earns praise, yet behind closed doors, their actions can starkly contrast their rhetoric. Baldoni’s alleged misconduct — unproven but troubling — highlights this duality. Blake Lively’s account of her experience on the set of a movie about domestic violence adds to the irony. Protected by legal teams, PR firms, and cultural complicity, the system often leaves the actions of fake allies unchallenged.
More about the allegations here: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-accuses-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/
Behind Closed Doors: The Protective Power of Influence
The system frequently shields these fake allies. Victims are silenced through NDAs, intimidation, or fear of backlash, while media narratives, shaped by PR, maintain their positive public image. Baldoni’s case is just one in a sea of similar stories in the entertainment industry.
Fake allies also weaponize their platforms to cancel critics, using social media to sway public opinion. Critics risk being labelled as prejudiced, stifling meaningful debate. The real losers here are the progressive causes they claim to support, as genuine change is hampered by a culture of fear and cancellation.
A BBC article on Hollywood’s PR tactics: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9q7pxnr4g2o
The Broader Impact: Complicity and Systemic Failures
Blake Lively might have the resources to push back, but most victims do not, leaving them vulnerable to systemic silencing. The Harvey Weinstein scandal showed us how long it can take for the truth to emerge. Fake allyship isn’t confined to Hollywood; it’s seen in journalism, activism, and corporate leadership.
Consider the Nine Group in Australia, which despite championing progressive causes, was exposed for internal misogyny. After the Samarco disaster, BHP loudly touted diversity initiatives, which appeared more like a distraction tactic than genuine reform. Using diversity to sidestep real issues is not just condescending; it’s dangerous, potentially leading to further harm, particularly to women.
We all recognize fake allies: the activist exploiting staff, the editor preaching empowerment while engaging in misconduct, or the celebrity flying private to lecture on climate change. These examples show how widespread the issue is.
An article on BHP gender targets. Don’t you find the timing a bit odd? https://www.bbc.com/news/business-37714591
High-Profile Examples and Patterns
Harvey Weinstein’s case is notorious; for years, he supported films with strong female leads while allegedly committing horrific acts. The entertainment industry turned a blind eye because his public image was beneficial.
TB Joshua, a charismatic Nigerian pastor leading one of the world’s largest evangelical churches, was revealed by a BBC investigation to have secretly committed sexual crimes on a massive scale. Testimonies from survivors across three continents indicate that Joshua abused and raped young women multiple times a week over nearly 20 years, all while publicly preaching love and moral values.
More on TB Joshua here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67749215
Why It Happens: Opportunism and Systemic Reward
Fake allyship thrives on opportunism. Social movements have become stages for career advancement and image management. When the system rewards appearances over commitment, duplicity flourishes. Those who benefit often control the narrative, crushing dissent. The Makin review into John Smyth’s case highlighted a serious cover-up at the heart of the Church of England, showing how abusers can remain unpunished for decades.
In a world where perception is king, truth can become irrelevant. The scandal of fake indigenous graves in Canada or the commodification of Aboriginal business in Australia are examples where misinformation or profit trumps advocacy. The Church of England, too, has been loud on corporate issues while neglecting its prime purpose of protecting the vulnerable within its ranks.
More about the fake graves here: https://www.vicnews.com/national-news/scholar-debunks-residential-school-denialism-and-so-called-mass-grave-hoax-6518052
How to Combat the Fake Ally
It’s challenging because fake allyship is often easier than real change, and social media can spread falsehoods like wildfire.
Education and Awareness: The public needs education to distinguish between performative and genuine allyship. Red flags must be recognized. As my grandmother would say, “Actions speak louder than words.” Words are cheap; managing safety, not just apologizing after an accident, is what counts in my view.
Free Speech Isn’t Necessarily Truth: Social media can amplify false narratives. We need to wait for facts, even in cases like Baldoni’s or Lively’s. So here is a revolutionary thought: wait for the facts.
Promoting Transparency: Real change requires spaces for honest debate without fear of retaliation. Fake allies don’t advance causes; they divide. We need platforms for real debate, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Conclusion
The rise of fake allies is a symptom of deeper systemic issues. It’s not just about opportunism; there’s immense pressure to appear socially conscious, a lack of accountability, and cultural complicity.
Society must look beyond facades, demand truth and facts, and foster environments where genuine commitment to good causes can flourish. This requires courage — to challenge the fake allies and to create spaces for real, transparent debate. Until we do, the causes they claim to support will continue to suffer.
