In the wake of the summer of 2020, a tidal wave of antiracist action crashed across the United States and beyond. Fueled by the horrific murder of George Floyd, white people were forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: racism and white supremacy are not dead relics but rampant, insidious forces that shape our daily lives. Floyd's death was no isolated tragedy; it was one of countless murders of Black people and people of color, a brutal testament to a long history of systemic violence and oppression. Yet, due to the blinding privilege enjoyed by the white majority, these atrocities had largely been ignored. This sudden reckoning was drenched in deep feelings of guilt—a potent emotion capable of driving monumental change but also, paradoxically, of entrenching the status quo.
The Role of Guilt in Antiracist Action
Guilt is a multifaceted and treacherous emotion. It surfaces when we become brutally aware of our harmful actions or, more damningly, our inactions. For many white people in 2020, this guilt was a visceral reaction to realizing their complicity in a society built on systemic racism and white supremacy. The marches, the protests, the social media outcries—all were driven by a collective urge to rectify these egregious wrongs. Yet, as Audre Lorde, the brilliant writer, professor, philosopher, intersectional feminist, poet, and civil rights activist, so eloquently stated, guilt can cut both ways.
Audre Lorde's Insight on Guilt
Audre Lorde, in her profound work Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, wrote, "Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one’s actions or lack of action. If it leads to change then it can be useful, since it is then no longer guilt but the beginning of knowledge. Yet all too often, guilt is just another name for impotence, for defensiveness destructive of communication; it becomes a device to protect ignorance and the continuation of things the way they are, the ultimate protection for changelessness."
Lorde's incisive words serve as a stark reminder that guilt, if not harnessed for meaningful action, becomes a barrier to progress. It morphs into defensiveness, diverting our focus from confronting the root causes of injustice to soothing our discomfort.
The Problematic Nature of White Fragility
White fragility often rears its ugly head when individuals begin to feel the discomfort of their role in perpetuating racism. This discomfort quickly devolves into a state of distress, sadness, or self-perceived vulnerability. Instead of channeling this discomfort into transformative action, the focus shifts to alleviating these feelings. This shift is not just a distraction; it is a betrayal. It diverts crucial attention away from the systemic actions needed to combat racism and places the emotional burden on those already oppressed, particularly people of color.
In these scenarios, the energy that should drive positive change is squandered on managing the fragile emotions of those experiencing white fragility. This dynamic is not just problematic; it is a perpetuation of the very power structures that need to be dismantled. People of color are often forced into a caretaking role, managing the feelings of white individuals instead of being supported in their fight against racism.
This phenomenon is a roadblock to progress, reinforcing the systems of privilege and oppression that must be torn down. To transcend white fragility, individuals must confront their discomfort, acknowledge their complicity, and commit to sustained, collective action without redirecting the focus to their own emotional needs.
The Performative Aspects of Guilt: The Social Media Effect
Consider the ubiquitous Facebook status updates like "feeling guilty" or "feeling my white fragility." These updates, while often meant to be tongue-in-cheek, starkly highlight the performative aspects of guilt. Publicly acknowledging guilt can sometimes serve more to signal virtue rather than to spur real change. This performative act of public acknowledgment is a hollow gesture, perpetuating empty actions and empty promises, rather than moving the needle forward. We all remember the Instagram black square, right? How much progress did that trend offer?
When individuals use social media to announce their guilt without taking substantive action, it creates a dangerous illusion of progress. This phenomenon, often referred to as "slacktivism," allows people to pat themselves on the back for seemingly contributing to social change without actually doing the hard work required to create that change. The social media effect can hinder genuine progress by turning meaningful actions into fleeting social trends. Likes, shares, and comments become the superficial end goal, rather than a means to achieve systemic change and justice.
The insidious danger lies in the fact that these performative acts foster a toxic sense of complacency. Individuals may feel that by publicly declaring their guilt, they have done their part, absolving themselves of further responsibility. This not only stalls real progress but also diverts critical attention from the necessary, ongoing work of dismantling systemic racism. It places the emotional burden back on marginalized communities, who witness a flurry of performative support that lacks genuine follow-through.
In truth, these performative displays fuel social trends rather than social action. They create a vicious cycle where the focus is on maintaining a socially acceptable image rather than grappling with the uncomfortable and sustained efforts required for genuine change. To shatter this cycle, it is crucial to transcend the shallow performative acknowledgment of guilt and commit to tangible actions that address the root causes of injustice.
Beyond Guilt: Knowledge and Action
The saying "knowledge is power" is not a mere cliché; it is a clarion call in the context of antiracism. Realizing the extent of one's complicity in systemic racism is merely the first step. The next, far more arduous step is to transform that guilt into resolute responsibility. This means moving beyond performative actions and committing to sustained efforts toward justice and equity.
For instance, educating oneself about the history and present realities of racism is indispensable. But education alone is woefully insufficient. It must be paired with action—supporting policies that promote equity, holding institutions accountable, and fostering inclusive environments in our personal and professional lives. Without action, education is merely intellectual posturing.
Collective Action for Lasting Change
Guilt, when harnessed effectively, can be a formidable catalyst for change. However, it must be coupled with a sense of collective responsibility and relentless action. True progress demands that we move beyond individual feelings of guilt and work together toward mutual safety, justice, honor, equity, and opportunity.
This collective action can take myriad forms. It can involve participating in local community efforts, advocating for systemic changes at the policy level, or simply having difficult, necessary conversations with friends and family about racism and privilege.
Conclusion: Transforming Guilt into Progress
Guilt has the potential to be a powerful motivator for change, but it also can paralyze and protect the status quo. By recognizing the limitations of guilt and channeling it into informed, collective action, we can advance toward a society that is truly just and equitable.
As we reflect on the antiracist actions of 2020 and beyond, let us strive to convert our guilt into the beginning of knowledge and, ultimately, into lasting change. This journey demands honesty, discomfort, and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and action. Only then can we dismantle the entrenched structures of racism and build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.