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RadicalGeek

(344 posts) Fri Oct 3, 2014, 06:51 AM Oct 2014

Observed 'White Guilt' [View all]

I have to get this out into the open, at whatever risk it poses.

Yesterday, our reading group, formed out of group that discussed books like Rules for Radicals, Pedagogy of The Oppressed and A Theory of Liberation sat down to discuss the recent Atlantic article "The Case for Reparations".

One of the participants did mention that race was, indeed, a legal construction, but also mentioned that all White's have benefited somewhat from the things described in the Article.

She has done this before when we were discussing other books, and it got me to thinking that she may be an real example of the "White Guilt" that the Right often accuses many progressives of.

To me, I cannot feel guilt over something I had no control over! I was born the way I was, my attitudes towards other groups, that is something I can control.

Has anyone else ever observed something similar. Am I missing something?

44 replies

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Highlight:

Observed 'White Guilt' [View all] RadicalGeek Oct 2014 OP

"She has done this before" - "this"? Express an understanding Warren Stupidity Oct 2014 #1

Agreed, Guilt is a mechanism of reality and part of awareness . And orpupilofnature57 Oct 2014 #26

Well put! eom. 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #27

I don't believe in white guilt, I believe.... JaneyVee Oct 2014 #2

That is What I Took From The Article Too RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #4

So, NOLALady Oct 2014 #3

White privilege ... GeorgeGist Oct 2014 #5

All of us who are caucasians in the United States acquire MineralMan Oct 2014 #6

Yeah, you're missing quite a lot brush Oct 2014 #7

As I Said RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #8

Guilt doesn't always imply choice. cyberswede Oct 2014 #13

OK RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #15

Yes. Iggo Oct 2014 #9

but you can certainly be aware of how being white improves your prospects in many ways La Lioness Priyanka Oct 2014 #10

--THAT-- was a question I did ask RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #16

i think what you call white guilt is what i call white people who acknowledge their privilege La Lioness Priyanka Oct 2014 #25

Recognizing the privilege of being white in this sufrommich Oct 2014 #11

So you acknowledge white privilege RedCappedBandit Oct 2014 #12

you are responding defensively Enrique Oct 2014 #14

Actually It Was RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #17

Great Observation ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #33

How is this an example of her feeling guilt? gollygee Oct 2014 #18

You are not alone, my friend, by any means. AverageJoe90 Oct 2014 #19

Ever been pulled over for 'driving while white'? Rex Oct 2014 #20

You don't have the correct answers to your own questions, unfortunately. kwassa Oct 2014 #24

You, too? ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #34

He puts people on ignore that he can't answer. kwassa Oct 2014 #38

+1 No guilt here either. badtoworse Oct 2014 #30

It exists. LostInAnomie Oct 2014 #21

Exactly--sorta RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #22

The "actions" ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #36

Part of Me RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #23

From your story, it looks like she made an observation and expressed no guilt. Brickbat Oct 2014 #28

Perhaps RadicalGeek Oct 2014 #29

This is a pretty good article TBF Oct 2014 #31

Here's a Thought Exercise ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #32

Obviously whites have benefitted from discrimination against blacks. Vattel Oct 2014 #35

ALL whites? AverageJoe90 Oct 2014 #40

I agree with you--not every white. But less opportunity for blacks does translate Vattel Oct 2014 #42

What I'm taking away from this gollygee Oct 2014 #37

I don't know which is worse ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #39

yup. La Lioness Priyanka Oct 2014 #43

+1 uponit7771 Oct 2014 #44

I'm conflicted about this. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2014 #41