White Guilt

Yesterday in class we looked at two different papers which, under Resources in Oncourse, are titled Race Relations. The first paper specifically caught my attention. It was done by an African American woman who says, "I will never claim America as my country." Her reasoning was that it was built on the backs of her people through enslavement. On the one hand I can understand where she is coming from. Not entirely, because obviously I do not share her race. But I understand how the thought of her ancestors being enslaved would be upsetting. However, I believe it is wrong that she doesn't recognize all of the great opportunities and freedoms this country has provided her. Not just her, but all of us for that matter. I have never understood why my peers and also fellow Americans, take our Land of the Free for granted. Perhaps because of their lack of proper education in our country's history. I don't know. Regardless, my point is that she didn't give recognition to the beneficial America in which she currently lives. Feel free to travel to any other country in the world, become a citizen and see if you receive the same freedoms you do here. It won't happen. Also, it was very insulting that she seemed to be pointing the finger at us "white folk" as if it were all our fault. I'm sorry, but slavery ended a long time ago and neither myself, my mother, my grandmother, or great grandmother can be held personally responsible for that. Oh and by the way, you weren't a part of that era either. I seriously doubt anyone ever came to your residence, snatched you from your household, took you to another country by way of ship and sea, put you in chains and made you work for nothing. If this has happened to you, I will withdraw my position. Don't get me wrong, I know and believe whole heartedly that slavery was totally and completely incorrect. But there is no reason to create this feeling of "White Guilt." I mean, for chrissake, when I was looking at scholarships for college, there were more available to African Americans than there were for me! If anything, we "white people" are becoming the subjects of racism and that's just as wrong as it ever has been for anyone else. I propose we all stop pointing fingers. I also propose that we stop pretending that we don't see "color." Clearly, we all are different. That is what makes us great. It is once we learn to accept these differences and appreciate what each race has to contribute to the world, that we will all live together in peace and understanding.