You know why marginalized folks like me so often don't trust "allies"? Because they are not bound by their plight.

Marginalized folks *live* their oppression; they can never opt out from it, they cannot choose to escape it. They need to either fight it, or drown in its consequences. Every consequence of their oppression is one that they will experience personally.

They will be in the fight for however long it exists; that is a guarantee. And that means you can rely on them being there to have your back, as they are able to.

Allies, however, have no such plight. As an ally, you have a price. It may be high, it may be paid in something like safety or convenience rather than money, but you have a price.

There will be a point where you have the opportunity to leave marginalized folks and their plight behind, for your own benefit or comfort. You will have the opportunity to opt out. Sooner or later, you are likely to take it.

You will convince yourself that it is "better for everyone this way". That you have "changed perspectives". That you have "discovered more nuance". That ultimately, you made the right choice by leaving behind the most vulnerable in society, when the price for doing so is high enough.

Depending on what you do to support marginalized folks, we may appreciate it. It may be genuinely helpful. But we will never be able to *trust* you. Because when the stakes are highest, you are going to be the first ones to leave.