Rejecting the “Prison Cell of Privilege”

As a young woman who has faced challenges that are common across all races, ethnic backgrounds, and cultures, I reject the notion that I am supposed to feel guilty for the color of my skin and the apparent privilege that comes with it. by Isabel McMahon, Gingrich 360 Contributor Although I may be on the younger side, I am old enough to remember when race was not the defining characteristic of your character. There was not a push for Critical Race Theory in my elementary and middle school classrooms, and there was most certainly not a push for recognizing the inherent differences in my classmates’ skin color. Now, as a university student, that seems to be the only thing that matters. We have all heard of the term white guilt; if you are unfamiliar with the term, let me explain it to you. It is a term that was used by Judith Katz in her publication of White Awareness: Handbook for Anti-Racism Training in 1978. It is used to describe the individual or collective guilt on behalf of white people for the harm that has befallen ethnic minorities as a result of racist treatment in the past, present, and future. In a New York Times article “How Can I Cure My White Guilt?” by Steve Almond and Cheryl Strayed (2018), Almond responds to the hypothetical “Whitey” character’s dilemma of white guilt by stating, “...your letter describes your place as a kind of prison cell of privilege. What you really feel is trapped within an identity that marks you, inescapably, as an oppressor...”. The article continues to describe how white people do not have to relinquish their heritage, but rather relinquish their privilege – no matter the struggles, financial or otherwise – that they have faced. As a young woman who has faced challenges that are common across all races, ethnic backgrounds, and cultures, I reject the notion that I am supposed to feel guilty for the color of my skin and the apparent privilege that comes with it. The alcoholism and opiate addiction of my father, the single motherhood of my mother, and the 2008 recession and its impacts on my family did not see the color of my skin. Do I agree with the fact that the past oppression and enslavement of African-Americans is reprehensible? Yes, I do. Do I agree that we should judge others based on the content of their character rather than the color of their skin? Yes, I do. I do not have to sacrifice my core principles for the sake of a “woke” social justice narrative. I do not have to feel white guilt to see injustice, and I most certainly do not need to feel white guilt to treat every individual as a human being. "The views expressed in this article do not reflect the views of any person or institution other than the author." Newt hosts monthly virtual events in which he discusses news of the day and why it matters to you and your community. These Newt Live events are your opportunity to communicate directly with Newt. We hope you will join us next time and let Newt answer your questions and provide his insight on the issues that concern you most. JOIN TODAY to be a part of this special event and receive a BONUS GIFT. Click here to join Newt’s Inner Circle. Newt's Latest Features:

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