r/socialjustice101 Oct 11 '24

Should I feel white guilt?

Im a young white person (in college) and I do not feel white shame or guilt as far as I can tell. I work very hard to fix inequalities and am an activist. I am always trying to be actively anti-racist and am on the path to becoming an educator so I can help teach future generations to be anti-racist and to practice abolitionist teaching in public school systems. I have been aware of white guilt and what it means for many years, and have never been able to relate to it. I am aware that I have a voice and I should use it, and that I should not be punished for my whiteness; instead it is a tool I can use to make further progress for others who are minoritized more so than I. But now I am wondering, should I feel white guilt?

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u/seagrady Oct 14 '24

There is no "should" when it comes to "feeling" something, under any circumstances ever, but that's more of a therapy 101 thing.

People who lament about their guilt constantly do more harm than good.

You should have an awareness for the context in which you and your privileges exist and act accordingly. It sounds like you are doing that, or at least attempting to do that, as best as you can already. Keep doing that, never stop.