Critical thinking skills in a society are anathema to those in power who wish to stay in power, and do so by preying on the fears of others and exploiting the racist/sexist/homophobic systems in place which they continue to uphold.
I was taught about the facts of slavery when I was young. I don't recall feeling guilty or made to feel guil…
Critical thinking skills in a society are anathema to those in power who wish to stay in power, and do so by preying on the fears of others and exploiting the racist/sexist/homophobic systems in place which they continue to uphold.
I was taught about the facts of slavery when I was young. I don't recall feeling guilty or made to feel guilty about it. What I did feel was empathy - it's wrong to enslave people, and the treatment of slaves, was by far, was cruel and inhumane, and should never happen again.
It's much easier to stay in power and keep current systems in place, systems which benefit (the general) you, if you can remove empathy from the equation. Erasing the facts of slavery and its history in this country helps to do just that.
I agree. I am white and privileged, but learning about the horrors of slavery never made me feel guilty. If anything it empowered me to defend and support those being victimized by the system. Honestly, I think "white guilt" is a term invented by the right to stir up their base.
The phrase "White Guilt" in my opinion, is meant to mock those who like you, have a heart, soul and most importantly, a functioning brain that you use. I guess you're supposed to be intimidated and run along home when they pull that phrase out.
I am Black and learned "about" slavery but our lessons were "sanitized." Not mangled like the new FL curriculum. But things were left out. For instance, I never knew that General Hannibal was Black until adulthood. Same thing with Otis of Otis elevators. The real McCoy was a slave whose master took possession of his invention of a self lubrication system (edit - for tractors!) and inspired a phrase that we still use now.
"It's much easier to stay in power and keep current systems in place, systems which benefit (the general) you, if you can remove empathy from the equation. Erasing the facts of slavery and its history in this country helps to do just that."
Indeed. And this is the essense of why they do what they do. To cause harm and give themselves a step up on the bodies of others.
Critical thinking skills in a society are anathema to those in power who wish to stay in power, and do so by preying on the fears of others and exploiting the racist/sexist/homophobic systems in place which they continue to uphold.
I was taught about the facts of slavery when I was young. I don't recall feeling guilty or made to feel guilty about it. What I did feel was empathy - it's wrong to enslave people, and the treatment of slaves, was by far, was cruel and inhumane, and should never happen again.
It's much easier to stay in power and keep current systems in place, systems which benefit (the general) you, if you can remove empathy from the equation. Erasing the facts of slavery and its history in this country helps to do just that.
I agree. I am white and privileged, but learning about the horrors of slavery never made me feel guilty. If anything it empowered me to defend and support those being victimized by the system. Honestly, I think "white guilt" is a term invented by the right to stir up their base.
The phrase "White Guilt" in my opinion, is meant to mock those who like you, have a heart, soul and most importantly, a functioning brain that you use. I guess you're supposed to be intimidated and run along home when they pull that phrase out.
But, maybe the guilt comes from latent approval and agreement with all that IS racist.
A latent response to the latent leanings? Interesting. And supremely convoluted.
I am Black and learned "about" slavery but our lessons were "sanitized." Not mangled like the new FL curriculum. But things were left out. For instance, I never knew that General Hannibal was Black until adulthood. Same thing with Otis of Otis elevators. The real McCoy was a slave whose master took possession of his invention of a self lubrication system (edit - for tractors!) and inspired a phrase that we still use now.
"It's much easier to stay in power and keep current systems in place, systems which benefit (the general) you, if you can remove empathy from the equation. Erasing the facts of slavery and its history in this country helps to do just that."
Indeed. And this is the essense of why they do what they do. To cause harm and give themselves a step up on the bodies of others.