I still think that there is a lot to say about the discussion in class today.
The discussion about slavery and the consequent guilt of "whites" really bothered me. My heritage on my grandmother's side is predominantly French Canadian, a group that was very persecuted in recent history. Also, I have Irish roots, another oppressed ethnicity. None of my known relatives were slave owners and I resent being lumped into a category that does not apply to me or my heritage. Additionally as I said in class, I have Native American genes. As a descendant of Native Americans, I guess I have the right to many state benefits, tax breaks, and even the opportunity to live on a reservation. However, I personally think that this is taking advantage, as I have not personally experienced anything negative as a result of being Native American. I think that that judgment is a personal one, however and I don't think ill of anyone who decides to utilize any of the government's assistance (maybe I should, on second thought, my tax dollars at work, right?)
I digress, after a little research, I discovered some interesting elements of Asian history. Considering the make-up of the class, I thought it would be appropriate. I don't bring this up to point fingers or try to stir up trouble, but rather to make a point. My point is, every ethnicity has its dark histories, and Caucasians are definitely up there with the rest. But, they are not alone. Because of this, I feel that it is ridiculous to single out the Caucasian race as a whole as the evil doer (which I feel is quite a common sentiment). I don't think that I should feel guilty to be "white," or Irish, or Blackfoot, or even German. It seems ridiculous to charge the sons with the crimes of their fathers, even more ridiculous to charge them with the crimes of other sons' fathers.
Here are links to other horrible genocides:
African genocide, Cambodian genocide,
I had to get all of this out, as I felt a little ganged up on in the class. I understand that it is a delicate subject, but let's get over fear of stepping on some one's toes every second! Our culture is so afraid of offending people, nothing ever gets said. So if I offended you, fine, I'm ok with that (I think). So leave me a comment, offend me! It's ok! I'll live, and maybe you'll get to say something you've felt for a long time, but have been too afraid to say.
Just to lighten it up a bit: Carlos Mencia
7 comments:
I enjoyed reading your post and I even feel that you did get ganged up on. But in response to your post, I don't think that you should feel guilty for being "white". I'm sorry that you do feel that way. I agree that it's not fair for people to bring up the past and say "Oh you enslaved us", which is pertaining to the Whites. But White people aren't the only ones getting discriminated. Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, and other ethnicities always get discriminated against. For example, I went to a country concert because I love country music. Well that majority of people there are White. And when they saw me they were like "Oh look there's an asian!" I got weird looks because I was Asian. It almost felt like they were saying "What are you doing here". I didn't care what they thought. It didn't ruin my night. This world is so racist, and I don't think that racism will be eliminated. It will continue to be a problematic subject. I feel that anytime people talk about race, someone is bound to be offended. I think that people just need to learn to be more understanding and more accepting of others. The American culture is continuing to be diverse so we need to learn to get along and accept each other.
Anyways Colleen I noticed a slight typo in your post. You wrote "every ethnicity has is dark histories". Also, I like how you brought up the subject in class even though you were nervous about it. Props to you!
Firstly, do not feel guilty about being white! I am sorry if you felt ganged up on. I definitely understand you feeling the need to belong to something and feeling left out by the fact that there are no real white clubs. The thing is that "white" is such a general word as mentioned in class. It encompasses basically anyone of European descent. When you say you want to have "white" celebrations kind of like black history month or something I wonder what would that entail? Being white or black or brown is just a skin color, it does not say anything about personal interests or culture to me. People celebrating being Japanese or Mexican are celebrating their food and culture and I do not believe you have to look the part to embrace that.
In class you mentioned Africans getting mad at you saying they were enslaved by your people. I kind of wonder where you were when you were told this because you said you lived in the south for a while and it is less likely to happen in California where we do not feel the effects of slavery quite as harshly.
I apologize for seeming harsh in class and even more so for making you feel gained up on, I just wanted to try to explain to you why some people may not think so greatly of an all "white" club or what not. You should not feel guilty about being white, i don't think that anyone should feel guilty about who they are. I believe that you are very courageous to bring up the topic in class and i am very glad that you did.
:)
I'm happy that you continued this discussion through your blog, as I feel it left most of our class pretty hot and bothered. Interestingly, one of my roommates echoed Parika's sentiments regarding a "white event" or a Caucasian themed club. When I posed the idea to her, she was silent for a moment and then said, "Well, what would they talk about, exactly?"
To me, that seemed to hit on part of the issue of being white today. Sure, perhaps to some it feels as though "every day is white-people day" which is NOT fair; our country's structural organization should not lean so far towards one race. But I feel that being white doesn't really mean a whole lot to white people in a cultural sense, and I think that's something we really miss out on as a conglomerate ethnicity.
This is also why I think you did a really good job in raising the point that there are SO MANY different ethnicities with white skin, each of whom have different cultural and value beliefs. And maybe we could all benefit from remembering that that is true about every skin color.
I think this was a really thoughtful post. I also like the comments that Ashley, Parika, and Koy left. I, too, don't think that you should feel guilty for being white, but I think I understand that guilt.
This is a great and productive conversation, and I am thrilled to see it playing out in these comments and thanks to Colleen's blog. When I said yesterday that perhaps it was okay to feel 'guilt', I guess I was merely saying that it is actually a form of an enlightened sensibility, in a way: to be *able* to voice a sense of guilt for *not being able to change* history. We are stuck with history, but, as Ashley says, we can certainly work actively toward more acceptance and less knee-jerk offensive reactions to things people say in the present moment. And in this way, Colleen's bringing up this subject has been very useful. As for ‘guilt’—well, this never need be the final ‘feeling’ or emotion, right? I mean, we can compost guilt into proactive being, can’t we? Again, in a way, this is what Colleen is doing here: taking an idea of ‘guilt’ and transforming it into an open conversation, which, as we can see by these comments, potentially dispels the guilt a bit. Maybe ‘guilt’ is the word that we should critique here: it implies a kind of judgment or being on ‘trial’, when in fact we are trying to follow long lines of historical events (yes, including genocides and other atrocities) with more knowledge of these events than can be handled by any individual psyche. The point should not be to blame past peoples or add up who has been the worst race or ethnic group; rather, we should take these overwhelming lessons of history and feel both a part *of* them, but also an ability to act differently. And here we are, back to difference.
Hey Colleen,
I really enjoyed your post and began to write you a long comment back but it became too long so I am just making it my own post.
You can find it at pdperrault.blogspot.com
I do agree that when "white people" show their pride about being white that they are looked down upon. I believe that when white people do show their pride it ignites a fire within minorities because Caucasians are the majority within America. Minorities such as African Americans, who were forced to come to America still hold a grudge towards white people for enslaving their ancestors. You should not be afraid to be proud of your ethnicity or the color of your skin.
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