Hi jennifer, I appreciate you focusing on this topic and inviting white artists to dive deeper into their own part. I assume you know about my project I Am My White Ancestors: Claiming the legacy of oppression. www.annemavor.com
Jennifer, Once again, you have shown the guts to take on a very difficult topic. I do, however, see it somewhat differently. I am very uncomfortable with the notion of racial guilt because it treats race (or religion, gender or nationality etc.) as if it defines a person. I see that premise as part of the problem, not part of the solution. Do white people have a duty to fight any form of racial or ethnic or gender superiority? Clearly, yes. But not because they happen to be White (or male etc.). Injustice should be fought because it is unjust. We should all be driven by a universal quest for justice and not by guilt. There are a number of reason for that, but the main one might be that it is a dead end. It doesn't work to effect change. Society overall can be far better motivated by justice than it can be by guilt. MLK knew that, which is why he was so effective.
Hey fellow white folks, just a gentle reminder that if you find yourself adamantly arguing that something *isn't* white supremacy (or that this isn't a moment to talk about white supremacy, or about how the language around white supremacy hurts feelings...), it's probably a good moment to stop and check in with yourself about what you're fighting to uphold. And why.
“But it is important, when we are having a conversation about anti-Black violence, not to distract or derail that conversation with issues facing another community. This type of distraction is symptomatic of centering whiteness.” The amount of distraction coming from people who consider themselves part of the solution is as much the problem as from those consciously seeking to undermine social justice work. (I always find myself hoping that readers take time for your footnotes. They’re vital.)
Hi jennifer, I appreciate you focusing on this topic and inviting white artists to dive deeper into their own part. I assume you know about my project I Am My White Ancestors: Claiming the legacy of oppression. www.annemavor.com
Jennifer, Once again, you have shown the guts to take on a very difficult topic. I do, however, see it somewhat differently. I am very uncomfortable with the notion of racial guilt because it treats race (or religion, gender or nationality etc.) as if it defines a person. I see that premise as part of the problem, not part of the solution. Do white people have a duty to fight any form of racial or ethnic or gender superiority? Clearly, yes. But not because they happen to be White (or male etc.). Injustice should be fought because it is unjust. We should all be driven by a universal quest for justice and not by guilt. There are a number of reason for that, but the main one might be that it is a dead end. It doesn't work to effect change. Society overall can be far better motivated by justice than it can be by guilt. MLK knew that, which is why he was so effective.
Hey fellow white folks, just a gentle reminder that if you find yourself adamantly arguing that something *isn't* white supremacy (or that this isn't a moment to talk about white supremacy, or about how the language around white supremacy hurts feelings...), it's probably a good moment to stop and check in with yourself about what you're fighting to uphold. And why.
It's always a pleasure and a learning experience reading your articles. Thank you!
“But it is important, when we are having a conversation about anti-Black violence, not to distract or derail that conversation with issues facing another community. This type of distraction is symptomatic of centering whiteness.” The amount of distraction coming from people who consider themselves part of the solution is as much the problem as from those consciously seeking to undermine social justice work. (I always find myself hoping that readers take time for your footnotes. They’re vital.)