White Supremacy is Hijacking Your Heritage

Posted by on
Dear White America,

How long will you allow white supremacy to hijack your heritage?  How long will you pretend as if the whiteness of the Ku Klux Klan and your whiteness are of no relation? Whose race are they checking on the census?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems as if the only predominately white national group organizing around issues of race is the KKK.  It’s past time for the “other white America” to take a national stand and start a counter narrative.   Where are the whites who oppose white supremacy? How about Whites Against Racism - a WAR worth fighting!?! There are some grassroots movements.  We need more!

White America, it’s time for a collective owning of the devastating history of racism and white supremacy in our country, and accept that you, as beneficiaries, have inherited financial, social, and cultural power.  You cannot give this power away even if you wanted to; however, you can use your power and privilege to right the wrongs of not only your predecessors but also current-cessors.

Don’t waste time rewriting or re-imagining white history; make a bold move to use your white privilege to start a new historical narrative based in truth.  While you do reap the benefits of previous generations’ terrorism, you’re not like them. You’re not proud of what was done.  It makes you sick.  You feel guilty and repulsed at the same time.  You’ve been trying to figure out just what you can do! Give your kids and your kids’ kids a new narrative.  If you want to save somebody, save yourselves from being like the vast majority who did nothing or not enough for 250 years while millions of Africans were enslaved in this country.  Or those who sat idly by, complicit during Jim Crow, feeling safe and secure in their silence while others suffered out loud.

Create a legitimate history that you can be proud of.  Step up and be the change you wish to see in white history.  What legacy will you leave?  What will the history books say about your people who are living right now, in this moment?  Will the voices of the white minority--the anti-black, anti-Jew, anti-Muslim, anti-Native, anti-immigrant, anti-gay, etc. - dominate?  Or will the other white America galvanize their voices to be heard over the noise? Whose voice is louder? Whose will be stronger? Whose narrative will win?


"I am constantly striving to be a better me." After nearly 10 years as a high school English teacher, I left the classroom in hopes of finding a way to have a greater impact in public school education. I earned my doctorate in UNC Chapel Hill's Policy, Leadership, and School Improvement Program. I am a critical race scholar, narrowing in on critical whiteness specifically. I study white children's racial identity construction. I am the co-founder and Lead Curator (executive director) for a nonprofit called WE ARE, which stands for working to extend anti-racist education. We provide anti-racism trainings for children, families, and educators. We use a three-pronged approach to dismantle systemic racism in education and beyond by offering summer camps for kids in rising 1st-5th grade, professional development for educators, and workshops for parents and families. I am a Black woman, motherscholar, and anti-racist activist. As a Christian, I believe I am called to do this work. #disruptivepeace #peacemaker #antiracisteducator

Comments

Post a Comment