Lucia

de Vernai

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July 7, 2008

Sorry, But I Just Don’t Share Your White Guilt

Since becoming aware of my political inclination, I have lived with the shame that I make a terrible liberal and an even more dismal Democrat. Born behind the Iron Curtain, pinko blood runs through my veins and forced egalitarianism is part of my pedigree. Why then, do social programs that close the gap between blacks and whites in this country make me so uncomfortable?

Probably because I – along with many born-and-bred Americans – do not suffer from white guilt. This affliction of the conscience is one of the luxuries of white privilege, since only those who have the time and resources to reflect on the critical race theory aspects of affirmative action can engage in self-flagellation in the vein of: “They deserve additional help after all we’ve put them through.”

Two immediate questions arise: Who the hell is “they”? And who the hell is “us”? The enlightening intent gets lost in language that still divides us by color, usurping much of the progress we have allegedly made through de jure reforms. Not Americans, not individuals, “they” need to be helped, aided and assisted, which is really a way of keeping “them” at an arm’s length.

And if there is a “they,” there must be an “us,” which is even more perplexing. This fraternity of a “mea culpa” attitude that seems to be a prerequisite for being a young liberal just isn’t there for me. The historical events that give rise to the feeling of white guilt are not my historical events. My skin is white, but the political history with which I identify does not contain slavery or racism.

Apparently, that is not an excuse. In fact, many people find it offensive if politically correct remorse is not at the forefront of our civic existence. Since it’s politics, it can be phony and forced. It just has to pay lip service to the right causes. This also means that you don’t ask ridiculous questions like “Why are black kids in New York getting paid to pass tests but my low-income white students do not?”

Yes, some of those children come from abusive families, or families that do not prioritize education, or single-parent families. But there are white children, Asian children, Latino children and Native American children that do too. Believe it or not, some of their ancestors have had it pretty rough as well. They still do. Except that if you ask any privileged white male neatly putting an Obama 08 bumper sticker on his SUV, he probably won’t be able to tell you about how since Reconstruction white Southerners have struggled to keep up economically and educationally. Or how Irish Catholics were abused in the Northeast at the beginning of the 20^th Century. Or how countless Asian parents in the Northwest work outrageous hours so that their sons and daughters can have higher educations.

Guilt is a privilege only the ruling classes can afford. It is a fine way for retaining power, since guilt comes from the acknowledgement of the ability to control and hurt another. Politics at its best.

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