Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for January 29, 2009

Oh no, is white liberal guilt going to disappear forever? I miss it already.

A black man once spilled something on me accidentally and apologized to me, telling his friend the only reason he did so was because I was a white guy, I replied with the question “so you act rudely towards members of your own race but not others?” I’ve never put up with those racial double-standards and will always call things how I see them.

Doctortoon for president!!!

doctortoon says:

I once met a black man who said he hated all white people so i asked him why. He said it was because of slavery and what my people did to his people. I told him I’m a third generation Norwegian-American . My great-grandparents moved from Norway to North Dakota (a state that never had slavery) after slavery was abolished. My ancestors DID keep slaves, white slaves. They were English, French, Irish…

Slavery was abhorrent, and racism is intolerable. However I refuse to be blamed for a past I or my ancestors had nothing to do with.

I believe we are all created equal. We can not do anything to change the past. What we can do is work in the present for a better future. Doc, I frequently meet White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, etc. who say they hate other Hispanic, Asian, Black, White or other groups. Sadly much of it just seems to be human nature, compounded by certain real life experiences or often as not misguided pre-conceptions. Not to go into a long dialogue here, but this is the “work” my partner and I feel we were brought together on this planet to do. I invite you and all others to check out our website; www.coloursofliving.com Leave a comment and some contact info if you care. Thank you

Labels will get you into trouble every time.

Doctortoon, I am half Norwegian and also used to live in North Dakota. In Minot and Walhalla. I couldn’t have been more thrilled, at the time, to leave and head west. Now, when I go back, I am always enthralled by the big skies, the abundance of wildlife and the absence to crowds. Also, the people are so friendly and open.

When I was in grad school, I got into a debate with a Native American woman who said that she was angry at white men for what had happened to her people. I told her that I felt bad about what happened to them, but since I did not do it, I do not feel guilty about what happened to them. She refused to talk to me for the rest of the time I went to school there.

That almost certainly made your years of grad school much easier and more tolerable.

Where some people get off-track is they think everybody who is a member of the privileged group owes them direct regret. I am not responsible for the fact I have white privilege any more than any of the men or straight people here are directly responsible for their privilege in this society that I lack. What those with privilege are responsible for is recognizing that it exists regardless of where your ancestors came from and work on building understanding as well as improving opportunities. Those of us in the disadvantaged groups in turn need to stop assuming everyone who’s in the privileged set is both blind and stupid.

jackofstories-

Judging by the length and detail of the posts here, I’d say white liberal guilt is alive and well

I have a very simple rule that I go by. I initially developed it as a nationally-ranked (white) sprinter in High School; and refined it while in the Air Force. I judge every individual in the following manner: “You’re either an a-hole or you’re not”. At that point race, sex, national origin, etc. is thrown out the window. Works for me.

I was Reading to Kill A Mockingbird shortly after recieving a rather large unexpected sum of money left to my by one of my very wealthy relatives. There was a knock on my door..It was ACORN asking for a small donation..Took out my check book and said “Sir Just Name The Amount”.. Five Bucks ought to be enough..It’s for a worthy cause.. Well I gave him Ten Thousand Dollars..Felt like a load of bricks was lifted off my back…………….Then I Woke Up!

I’m not a bigot; i hate everyone.

My people fought in the Civil War to end slavery. I have no guilt over that issue, nor would I even if I were a Southerner. I refuse to acknowledge as mine guilt over the actions of others. I want a color-blind society, and I want it now!

I hate the invasiveness of applications. When one asks “Religion” I check “other” and write in “Yes.” For “Race” I check “other” and write in “Human.” For “Sex,” I check “other” and write in “No thank you, I’m married.”

All people can be divided into two groups; 1) People that divide all people into two groups. 2) People that don’t divide all people into two groups. (m_ortal - love your icon!)

Blue Raven, Very well stated. I would enjoy talking with you sometime if that appealed to you.