Accountability , debt, guilt
As is true for many who live in the United States I have been thinking a lot about the social construct of race and racism recently. Actually it is a topic which stays in the forefront of my mind. It might be more accurate to say that the subject of oppression has been forced on me. From an early age I knew that:
This week’s On Being podcast is a rebroadcast of a conversation between Eula Biss and host, Krista Tippett entitled Talking about Whiteness. I urge the reader of this blog to listen to this conversation
As one listens one is reminded that race is a social construct. The young son of Ms. Biss asks why a certain classmate of European dissent is brown. In fact this young girl was considered white although she was darker than many who were labeled as black. As Ms. Biss and Ms. Tippett point out how we decide who is black or white is important. My memory tells me that it was Angela Davis who would experiment with going into a shoe store and find that if she spoke English she was treated one way and if she spoke French she was treated another way.
Obviously when one is perceived as white in this culture one enjoys white privilege. If one is perceived as a white, heterosexual male who is part of the status quo one is treated a certain way. If one wears the costume of white privilege in court or other setting one may be perceived as entitled to while privilege.
One of the important questions is how we let go of this system of privilege based on social constructs or how we both make amends for all the pain we have caused and share resources more equitably.
One of Ms. Biss’s friends told her the German word for guilt is the same as the word for debt, schuld. If, in fact, I have enjoyed my share and your share, I owe you a debt. One could also consider the approach used in the 12 step programs. This is the concept of accountability. My understanding of accountability is that it does not imply or require shame or any form of self-flagellation. It does require making amends if possible and a commitment to not cause more harm.
In this country the group Black Lives Matter is making very simple demands. Change. Whether in the classroom, the funding of schools, the treatment by police, the treatment by the so called justice system, or more accurate history books change means accepting that we all have worth. Our worth cannot continue to be grounded in making some feel less than; less deserving of rights to share in the bounty of mother earth; less deserving of a quality education; less deserving of respect; less deserving of access to quality health care.
We who enjoy white privilege also owe a debt to ourselves and our children. The sad truth is that oppression begins with thinking that one is not enough; that one has to be better than to be worthwhile. Telling ourselves that we have to prove our worth is a painful lie which also leaves a deep scar; the pain of being separated from ourselves and each other.
Written June 12, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
As is true for many who live in the United States I have been thinking a lot about the social construct of race and racism recently. Actually it is a topic which stays in the forefront of my mind. It might be more accurate to say that the subject of oppression has been forced on me. From an early age I knew that:
- As supposedly having Native American heritage and having relatives who were Native American I was aware that I was part of a group who many considered less than. I found my supposedly savage ancestors in history goods mistreating the good white persons!
- As a person who knew he was different and eventually could allow himself to accept his sexuality I knew it would be used as an excuse to bully or otherwise be denied simple rights.
- Racism was common and accepted by many in my family. Yet I knew at age 5 it was very wrong.
This week’s On Being podcast is a rebroadcast of a conversation between Eula Biss and host, Krista Tippett entitled Talking about Whiteness. I urge the reader of this blog to listen to this conversation
As one listens one is reminded that race is a social construct. The young son of Ms. Biss asks why a certain classmate of European dissent is brown. In fact this young girl was considered white although she was darker than many who were labeled as black. As Ms. Biss and Ms. Tippett point out how we decide who is black or white is important. My memory tells me that it was Angela Davis who would experiment with going into a shoe store and find that if she spoke English she was treated one way and if she spoke French she was treated another way.
Obviously when one is perceived as white in this culture one enjoys white privilege. If one is perceived as a white, heterosexual male who is part of the status quo one is treated a certain way. If one wears the costume of white privilege in court or other setting one may be perceived as entitled to while privilege.
One of the important questions is how we let go of this system of privilege based on social constructs or how we both make amends for all the pain we have caused and share resources more equitably.
One of Ms. Biss’s friends told her the German word for guilt is the same as the word for debt, schuld. If, in fact, I have enjoyed my share and your share, I owe you a debt. One could also consider the approach used in the 12 step programs. This is the concept of accountability. My understanding of accountability is that it does not imply or require shame or any form of self-flagellation. It does require making amends if possible and a commitment to not cause more harm.
In this country the group Black Lives Matter is making very simple demands. Change. Whether in the classroom, the funding of schools, the treatment by police, the treatment by the so called justice system, or more accurate history books change means accepting that we all have worth. Our worth cannot continue to be grounded in making some feel less than; less deserving of rights to share in the bounty of mother earth; less deserving of a quality education; less deserving of respect; less deserving of access to quality health care.
We who enjoy white privilege also owe a debt to ourselves and our children. The sad truth is that oppression begins with thinking that one is not enough; that one has to be better than to be worthwhile. Telling ourselves that we have to prove our worth is a painful lie which also leaves a deep scar; the pain of being separated from ourselves and each other.
Written June 12, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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