White

[nascentbutterfl]

Some of you have heard me say this, but it bears writing down.

I refuse to feel guilty for being white, middle-class, good at academics and able to continue intellectual work.

Comments

[sugar85high]

I feel the same - none of us asked for privilege and it does not help us or anyone else one bit to feel guilt for something we cannot control.

[bearcat08]

I think the difference lies in living your life in a way that does not put down other classes, etc. You shouln't feel guilty unless you lead a guilty lifestyle. Be proud of who you are, what you've accomplished, and where you are going in life. Don't let anybody else make you think you otherwise.

[nascentbutterfl]

This is what I would like to do: being proud of who I am and what I've accomplished.

However, everything I've accomplished is due to the fact that my race and class DO oppress other races and classes. And the fact that I resist a sort of guilty feeling is evidence that I do feel guilty, or at least, somewhat upset, that my success is on the backs of others who did not want to be there.

[wildchildurs2nv]

I don't think you should feel guilty. I don't think guilt leads to truly good solutions, at least from what I've seen and experienced.

I do think that understanding the structure of our society and why it is what it is important though, even if we didn't ask for the power or privilege, we just need to make sure we're not using it badly is all, that we're not harming others by our actions using our p'n'p. If we do that, then what do we have to feel guilty about?

[nascentbutterfl]

see comment to Amanda--

but also--how can I not feel somewhat upset at the fact that by merely going to college I am harming others through my power and privilege? I am perpetrating a system which IS exclusive because of its cost. I can only fight this fact with the hope that this education will enable me to understand that structure, and perhaps, somehow I will be able to work at changing that structure. It is a bit frustrating that after 3.6 years here, I don't actually have a better idea of how to go about improving the situation. Though, I guess the bright side is, now I'm aware of it.

[wildchildurs2nv]

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I think that's applicable here. And I think you do need to do your part to not continue the cycle. I just don't know that guilt has to factor in for sure, though it is part of the process most of the time.

You know where I am when you want to continue talking about it.

[blue_banshee]

you arent guilty. and what you should feel is not for me to say. but if you feel a compulsion to improve the world, and you misinterpret that as guilt, then you won't be half as likely to improve the world.