Thank you for this. I got to dismantle a lot of my privilege and whiteness (still too much to be trash, but when we know better, we do better)) bit by bit in private when studying history—real, total (like Howard Zinn-type) history. As I taught it, I got similar reactions. I perceive most of our history as centered around the medieval explorations’ slavery practices that was carried over to the British colonies and protected. Still being protected—different tactics. Folks don’t like hearing that.
I believe it ☹️🧐 So sad. But you have been faithful by offering them a dialogue with those seeking truth.
After several years of teaching straight stuff in history, I could sense a student’s vibe (almost always male) the first day I introduced the topic: 1619–early in the year. They always reveal themselves.
Matt, I couldn’t agree more!! Recently I, a white male realized that I grew up feeling “whiteness” was normal and every other cultural and genetic difference was abnormal. I didn’t consciously believe this, it was just a result of where and how I grew up. Any “abnormality” I encountered produced subconscious fear, which would manifest in very subtle supremest beliefs. In the last 8 or 9 years I have been actively trying to recognize the lies my white culture has been feeding me. So much of my understanding of normalcy has been based on and reinforced by limited information and incomplete history. The more I learn about the horrific and deeply imbedded history of racism in this country the better I understand how we have arrived where we are today. To be sure, I find this expanded view of history very disturbing. At my best I am thankful for a deeper appreciation for why so many of the social problems we face today are connected to the white supremacy we’ve practiced in this country since its inception. A deeper appreciation strengthens my resolve to repair the harm caused by white supremacy. At my worst I turn away and pretend it’s not my problem.
yes it takes courage and resiliency to keep what is hard to see before us.
this is part of our privilege, tbh - those for whom white supremacy doesn't do good work have to see it just to survive. we can (sometimes) tune it out when we don't want to think about it anymore. It's part of the work to choose to live in reality day to day.
Thank you for this. I got to dismantle a lot of my privilege and whiteness (still too much to be trash, but when we know better, we do better)) bit by bit in private when studying history—real, total (like Howard Zinn-type) history. As I taught it, I got similar reactions. I perceive most of our history as centered around the medieval explorations’ slavery practices that was carried over to the British colonies and protected. Still being protected—different tactics. Folks don’t like hearing that.
no they don't like hearing it, indeed. to wit: i get more unsubscribes from my Substack when I post about white supremacy than any other topic.
I believe it ☹️🧐 So sad. But you have been faithful by offering them a dialogue with those seeking truth.
After several years of teaching straight stuff in history, I could sense a student’s vibe (almost always male) the first day I introduced the topic: 1619–early in the year. They always reveal themselves.
Matt, I couldn’t agree more!! Recently I, a white male realized that I grew up feeling “whiteness” was normal and every other cultural and genetic difference was abnormal. I didn’t consciously believe this, it was just a result of where and how I grew up. Any “abnormality” I encountered produced subconscious fear, which would manifest in very subtle supremest beliefs. In the last 8 or 9 years I have been actively trying to recognize the lies my white culture has been feeding me. So much of my understanding of normalcy has been based on and reinforced by limited information and incomplete history. The more I learn about the horrific and deeply imbedded history of racism in this country the better I understand how we have arrived where we are today. To be sure, I find this expanded view of history very disturbing. At my best I am thankful for a deeper appreciation for why so many of the social problems we face today are connected to the white supremacy we’ve practiced in this country since its inception. A deeper appreciation strengthens my resolve to repair the harm caused by white supremacy. At my worst I turn away and pretend it’s not my problem.
yes it takes courage and resiliency to keep what is hard to see before us.
this is part of our privilege, tbh - those for whom white supremacy doesn't do good work have to see it just to survive. we can (sometimes) tune it out when we don't want to think about it anymore. It's part of the work to choose to live in reality day to day.