Slavery, privilege, and moving forward

Question

I was very disturbed when a young black woman told me that unless I feel personal guilt for my ancestors who may have owned slaves at some point in history (nobody in my direct lineage, but caucasians in general), that I had just shunned responsibility of the atrocities of my ancestors. Of course I don't condone slavery, and I do denounce that behavior, while at the same time I can't feel personal guilt over something I did not do that occurred 250 years before I was born. I can't do anything to change things that happened in history. I can only control my own behavior in the here and now, where I am an ally whenever I can be. Help me out here. Is there no way to escape the sins of my forefathers?

Rachel Minnick · Answer

When a person shares a comment like the one you shared, I think of how much it comes from a place of real pain and suffering that has reverberated for generations. It comes from a place of feeling at the mercy of a power structure that has negatively impacted Black families in this country for over 400 years. If you find compassion for what that pain might feel like, it can help you think beyond the 'I can't get in my time machine and fix it' gut reaction. While it hurts you to hear those words, what you do next really matters. Whatever power you hold right now is your opportunity to bring healing (or more hurt).  Read and educate yourself to the history of slavery and Jim Crow, redlining, and other issues that have impacted the lives of Black people. It will help you understand how we got here. Also, don't just focus on oppression learning - discover the work of Black artists, poets, scientists, educators, and inventors. We have to celebrate Black life and Black joy. Use dollars to support Black businesses and nonprofits who are building up the community and often don't get the same type of financial support as white-run/led organizations. If you're hiring for roles, look around you and think about who is missing. You need different voices around the table to make you a more responsive, culturally literate organization. Also, attend workshops on equity and diversity - outside perspectives are really important. You are going to make missteps and you are going to meet resistance from people, just keep going, and remember kindness and compassion for everyone as individuals working through their own life experiences (including you).

Vicki Beard · Answer

I understand what you're saying and I've heard that same sentiment myself.  But when I ask them what they'd like for me to do, I'm told to 'figure it out for myself'.  I wish none of the people who were made to be slaves had been brought here.  I really hate that that happened at all but slavery was way before my time.

A G · Answer

I agree completely with what Rachel has said above. I think you need to take a step back and really reflect upon what's been asked of you. Although slavery was not directly in your control, your co-workers implying that you need to recognise what the journey has been for Black people in the USA for 400years until now, since the ending of slavery.  To be a stronger more impactful ally, this kind of self-research really is important. Once you're able to equip yourself with the knowledge of how the systems have been created to oppress Black people, you might have a better understanding of why guilt matters. Because as a white person, your privilege means you have gained something from this oppression. And as awful as it is, its the truth.  Again, although this is out of your control, its up to us as allies to be able to identify our privilege, in order to be able to walk in someone else's shoes, and provide much needed support. How are people of colour treated vs you? By reflecting and researching, you'll be better prepared to identify moments of oppression or micro aggressions, and can use your voice to help the people around you. That is true allyship. Good luck with your research.

Orlagh Costello · Answer

There are loads of resources on the internet about how we as white people can work on our own racism, our own internal/ unconscious biases and what we can do in the modern world to help make things better. Google is your friend here!

We can't expect black people (or other non-white people) to hand us over a list of things to do without taking responsibility for that ourselves. If you are really interested, start off with Google, determine which are decent resources, accept that you will be wrong and keep working on it. That's all any of us can do.

Eileen Vicks · Answer

Did she tell
You this at work?

Slavery, privilege, and moving forward

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