By Susan Gadegone
This blog was written as part of Aid with Perspective, a student initiative led by Ambassador Payton Johnson.
As a woman of color navigating a world often shaped by privilege and systemic bias, I've found myself in some conversations where white guilt takes center stage. These interactions can be both enlightening and exhausting, leaving me to wonder: How can we transform this guilt into genuine allyship and meaningful change?
Growing up in a predominantly white community as a woman of color was an experience filled with unique challenges and insights. From a young age, I became acutely aware of how some people interacted with me, where I was treated differently than my white friends, or when a white person came up to me thinking I was a Spanish speaker. I would have preferred they asked if I spoke Spanish before they started speaking Spanish to me. In this environment, I often found myself navigating the complexities of white guilt—a phenomenon that, while rooted in an awareness of racial privilege, can sometimes hinder genuine connection and progress.
White guilt describes the guilt brought upon by "the recognition of unearned and unfair racial privileges, the acknowledgment of personal racist attitudes or behavior, and/or the sense of responsibility for others’ racist attitudes or behavior."
Steele (2006) discusses how “white guilt is not a guilt of conscience; it’s not something that you get up in the morning and say, my God, I feel guilty about what happened to black Americans. Rather it is the fact that in relation to black Americans you lack moral authority. You are, in fact, stigmatized as a racist, because, after all, you have now acknowledged that your nation practiced racism explicitly for four centuries. And, now, since the ’60s, white Americans have been grappling with the stigma, trying to prove that they are not racist, to prove the negative.”
White guilt manifests in various ways, from awkward apologies to performative allyship, often leaving people of color in the position of educators. Having experienced these situations myself, I've noticed that white guilt can sometimes help people understand racial issues better, but it can also make it harder to see the real path to understanding and change.
In this blog post, I aim to share my perspective on how we can move beyond guilt to foster authentic relationships and drive meaningful action in our communities.
Experiences
One particular incident stands out vividly in my memory. During a casual conversation at work, news broke about a crime committed by a person of color. A white colleague, visibly distressed, turned to me and expressed their sorrow and confusion over how such incidents might perpetuate negative stereotypes. Their comment was well-intentioned but left me momentarily stunned. I wasn’t prepared for the wave of white grief that followed—an emotional response that seemed to center their feelings rather than addressing the broader systemic issues at play.
This interaction highlighted the complex dynamics of white guilt and grief, where the focus often shifts to personal discomfort rather than constructive dialogue or action. It served as a reminder of the delicate balance required in these conversations and the importance of moving beyond guilt to foster authentic relationships and drive meaningful change in our communities.I aim to share my perspective on how we can navigate these conversations more effectively, transforming moments of discomfort into opportunities for growth and understanding.
Call for Action
Having experienced these situations myself, I've noticed that white guilt can sometimes help people understand racial issues better, but it can also make it harder to see the real path to understanding and change. On one hand, white guilt can prompt individuals to reflect on their privileges and become more aware of the systemic inequalities that people of color face. This awareness is a crucial first step toward fostering empathy and encouraging positive action.
However, white guilt can also become a stumbling block. When people focus too much on their own feelings of guilt or shame, it can shift the conversation away from addressing the actual issues at hand. Instead of taking meaningful action or listening to the experiences of people of color, discussions can become centered around alleviating personal discomfort. This can lead to performative gestures that look good on the surface but don't contribute to real change.
In my experience, navigating these dynamics requires patience and a willingness to engage in honest conversations. It's important for individuals experiencing white guilt to move beyond their initial reactions and commit to learning and growing. By doing so, they can become true allies who support and amplify the voices of people of color, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and understanding society.
To truly harness the potential for positive change, it's essential for those experiencing white guilt to focus on actions rather than emotions. This means actively seeking out resources to educate themselves about racial issues, listening deeply to the lived experiences of people of color without interrupting or centering their own feelings, and being open to feedback and criticism. It also involves recognizing that allyship is not a one-time act but an ongoing commitment to justice and equality.
Moreover, it's crucial for individuals to understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Instead of being paralyzed by the fear of doing something wrong, they should approach these challenges with humility and a willingness to improve. By shifting the focus from personal guilt to collective action, we can create an environment where genuine understanding and meaningful change are possible.
Ultimately, moving beyond white guilt involves transforming awareness into action. It requires a dedication to dismantling systemic racism through sustained efforts, whether that's advocating for policy changes, supporting organizations led by people of color, or simply having those difficult conversations with friends and family. By doing so, we can work towards a future where everyone feels valued and respected.
Resources
Steele, S. (2006, May 5). 'White guilt' and the end of the civil rights era. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2006/05/05/5385701/white-guilt-and-the-end-of-the-civil-rights-era
