An educational analysis of a white centered response to white privilege
Last year October I posted this on my personal social media:
A white woman who knows me responded with this comment: “Not sure exactly why yet but this doesn’t land well on me”
My response was “I strongly recommend you start (if you haven’t already) some education on white privilege. There is a great book listed in one of the articles I sent you “me and white supremacy” The education will help you understand why 🙏🏽And help with more too 😉”
Her comment was deeply hurtful, offensive and ignorant. Here’s why (these analyses were generated using an anti racism educational AI tool)
Analyzing the white woman's response through the lens of Rachel Cargle's teachings, the lack of care and empathy for her African friend is particularly concerning.
1. Dismissal of Lived Experience:
The white woman's response dismisses the African woman's lived experience and the valid concerns she is raising. Cargle emphasizes the importance of actively listening and trying to understand the perspective of marginalized individuals, rather than minimizing or dismissing their experiences.
2. Lack of Empathy:
The white woman's response lacks any empathy or compassion for her African friend's frustration and pain. Cargle stresses the need for white people to cultivate empathy and a deeper understanding of the realities faced by people of color.
3. Centering of Whiteness:
By stating that the message "doesn't land well" on her, the white woman is centering her own experience and perspective, rather than focusing on the African woman's concerns. Cargle encourages white people to move beyond this self-centered approach and to prioritize the experiences and needs of marginalized communities.
4. Missed Opportunity for Allyship:
This response represents a missed opportunity for the white woman to demonstrate solidarity, engage in constructive dialogue, and potentially become an ally in addressing the issues raised by her African friend. Cargle emphasizes the importance of white people actively working to dismantle systemic racism and support marginalized communities.
5. Lack of Accountability:
The white woman's response does not take any responsibility or acknowledge her own role in perpetuating or benefiting from white privilege. Cargle emphasizes the importance of white people taking accountability for their actions and the systemic advantages they enjoy due to their race.
In this scenario, the white woman's response fails to demonstrate the care, empathy, and commitment to allyship that Cargle's teachings advocate for. Instead, it reflects a self-centered and dismissive approach that further marginalizes the African woman's experience and voice. Cargle's work emphasizes the crucial need for white people to actively listen, cultivate empathy, and take meaningful action to address systemic racism and support marginalized communities.
Analyzing the white woman's response through the lens of Brené Brown's teachings, the lack of care and empathy for her African friend is particularly concerning.
1. Lack of Vulnerability:
Brené Brown emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in building meaningful connections and understanding. The white woman's response, "this doesn't land well on me," suggests a lack of vulnerability and a self-protective stance rather than a willingness to engage with her friend's experience.
2. Avoidance of Discomfort:
Brown's work highlights the necessity of leaning into discomfort and being willing to have difficult conversations. The white woman's response indicates an unwillingness to confront the discomfort and challenge of addressing the issues raised by her African friend.
3. Absence of Empathy:
A core tenet of Brown's teachings is the importance of empathy, which involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. The white woman's response lacks any indication of empathy or an attempt to understand her friend's perspective and emotions.
4. Missed Opportunity for Connection:
Brown emphasizes the value of human connection and the power of vulnerability in building meaningful relationships. The white woman's response represents a missed opportunity to engage with her friend, build understanding, and potentially strengthen their connection.
5. Lack of Accountability:
Brown's work underscores the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and the impact they have on others. The white woman's response does not demonstrate any acknowledgment of her own role or responsibility in the issues raised by her African friend.
In this scenario, the white woman's response fails to embody the principles of vulnerability, empathy, and accountability that are central to Brené Brown's teachings. Instead, it reflects a self-protective and avoidant stance that further isolates her African friend and misses the opportunity to engage in a meaningful and transformative dialogue. Brown's work emphasizes the crucial importance of embracing discomfort, cultivating empathy, and taking responsibility in order to build stronger, more authentic relationships and work towards positive change.
Analyzing the white woman's response through the lens of Layla F. Saad's teachings, the lack of care and empathy for her African friend is particularly concerning.
1. Defensiveness:
Saad emphasizes that white people must be willing to confront their defensiveness when faced with discussions about racism and privilege. The white woman's response, "this doesn't land well on me," suggests a defensive posture rather than an openness to engage with her friend's concerns.
2. Centering of Whiteness:
Saad's work highlights the tendency of white people to center their own experiences and perspectives, rather than prioritizing the experiences of marginalized communities. The white woman's focus on how the message "doesn't land well" on her reflects this centering of whiteness.
3. Lack of Accountability:
Saad's teachings stress the importance of white people taking accountability for their role in perpetuating systemic racism and white supremacy. The white woman's response does not demonstrate any acknowledgment of her own responsibility or privilege.
4. Failure to Show Up:
Saad emphasizes the need for white people to actively show up and engage in the work of dismantling racism. The white woman's response represents a failure to show up for her African friend and support her in addressing the issues she has raised.
5. Missed Opportunity for Growth:
Saad's work encourages white people to view difficult conversations about race as opportunities for personal growth and transformation. The white woman's response suggests a missed opportunity to engage in this process of self-reflection and learning.
In this scenario, the white woman's response falls short of the expectations set forth in Layla F. Saad's teachings. Instead of demonstrating a willingness to confront her own defensiveness, center the experiences of her African friend, and take accountability, the white woman's response reflects a self-protective and disengaged stance. Saad's work emphasizes the crucial importance of white people actively engaging in the work of anti-racism, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging, in order to achieve meaningful change.