White Debt in the USA
by Elouise
Walking a tightrope
I ponder yet again
which post to release
into this world of growing
antagonism and planned
chaos dripping silently
into veins as we sleep
our days away thinking
we whites are alive because
we’re awake and breathing
Who are we in this pandemic
of more than Covid-19?
How might we join the struggle
that needs more than any
one person can give or endure?
How can we maintain sanity
while acknowledging our
current insane addiction
to anything that will bring
relief if only for a heartbeat?
Last night I watched Judy Woodruff’s NPR News interview with Professor William Darity, Professor of Economics and African American Studies at Duke University. I highly recommend it.
Near the end of the interview, Professor Darity favors the appointment of a Presidential Commission (rather than a Congressional committee) to study our overall history and current situation. The goal: recommendations that address the enormity of our white debt to citizens of color.
Will we ever be able to make reparations? Not just for Tulsa, but for all the other riots, lynchings, redlining, gerrymandering, gentrifying, food deserts, highway construction through neighborhoods and much much more. That’s still to be determined. On the other hand, we white people might begin by divesting ourselves of habits that ensure our survival. Not just our survival at the cost of other people, but at the cost of our well-oiled niceness and ignorance.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 2 June 2021
Photo found at pinterest.com
Telling the Truth 
For me in this world of unfairness, pain, chaos, and turmoil I have to not forget past thing I was not a part of and resist listening to those who want to lay a burden on me because I am white. Guilt of what someone did in the past is not my burden to carry. I want to spend my time learning to use my time today wisely. Chaos is the biggest tool of the devil and I do not want to be a part of causing more. Walking a tight rope is exactly how it feels now in the chaos out there and even in families. It’s like everyone wants what is right in their eyes. So I am going to seek what is right in God’s eyes. His foundational truths are good for this just as they were good for when Jesus walked on this earth. Others may judge me for that but when I live it out I have great peace and all fear is gone. T
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Hi, Betty. Thanks for your comment. You raise several important issues. Here’s my attempt at a response.
First, I can’t ignore the Bible’s insistent call for justice and mercy. Especially for those who have been disadvantaged because of, for example, the color of their skin. This doesn’t mean I’m directly responsible for things that happened in the past or present. It means I’m responsible for doing what I can not just to love my neighbor as myself, sometimes taking the role of the good Samaritan by offering what I can to people in need.
Our government and church leaders (at all levels) also have a responsibility. To refuse to seek justice (no matter when the unjust act occurred) goes contrary to the heart of God. Sometimes that means we don’t get everything we used to get because of our privileged status. Even though we may not have asked for special consideration, we’re responsible for acknowledging that it happened. We’re also responsible for doing what we can, where we are, to make amends. This is also wise living. The kind that isn’t chaotic, but is driven by genuine concern for others.
As for what others may want from us, that’s another issue. It depends on who it is, what their needs are, and what we are (or are not) able to do. Prayer, for example, is always a good place to start. It’s important not to turn this into a ‘people pleasing’ exercise. We don’t worship them; we worship God.
Elouise
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Dear Elouise,
Why is it, that now we are getting close to the finishing line – you and I – that we are more and more angry about the state of our world. I don’t mean the whole world, I mean your world and my world? That is what your posts are doing these last few years. And all of a sudden I think I know. It was that photo of the Tulsa riots. I think it is because we can see clearly the things we left undone. The things we know we should have tried to fix but we we too concerned about the little day to day problems and we either didn’t see the big problems or we were blind. Maybe now we know it is too late. Too late for you and me and we are so scared that those younger won’t see the things that need fixing until it is too late?
And another thing. When are you all going to stop using the couplet “African American”? When are you going to admit that you are all Americans. Or if you want to keep it then you should use Irish-American or Swedish-American or Vietnamese-American or Sioux-American or Chinese-American or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lots of Love
John
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Dear John,
Thanks for this comment. I think it’s important to be honest without being too harsh on ourselves for what we didn’t do back then. When I think about my ‘back then,’ I can only remember the elation and the exhaustion of being married, a mother, full-time secretary, part-time church organist, and did I say not living with my parents anymore? At the same time, I know I became aware (1960s) for the first time of (white) feminism, and of the Viet Nam war with all its atrocities and horrifying endlessness. So yes, I agree with your line about being concerned with the little day to day problems.
I also resonate with your suggestion that now “we know it is too late.” We can’t change the world we inherited and helped shape. Even though I know many invested young people and young adults who are much more world-aware than I was, their lives aren’t like my life. Yes, I do fear we and/or they will wake up one day and it will be too late. The growing acceptance (here in the USA) of Qanon isn’t a good sign.
As for African American, Asian American (and I could go on, but that might annoy you!), just call it a USA thing. I think it’s significant (not necessarily in a good way) because it keeps everyone alert to the race or origin of the person being referenced. At the same time, your question is fair. I don’t think all of us believe that all citizens of the USA are “American.” Poppycock to that. It’s a not-so-subtle way of making color or country or origin, etc., the most important defining characteristic we have. Especially for political and social matters. Very sad, even though I applaud pride in one’s racial or national background.
Now…(you asked for this, remember? 🙂 As for anger. I think anger is most appropriate right now. Not fury, not hatred, not disgust, not scorn. Just plain anger. We have been lied to over and over and over from the very beginning. Being partly Southern helps me know (as a transplanted North-Easterner) when the lies are popping out all over. The one thing I’m most grateful for, however, is that I have exited my earthly father’s world. Even at this age (in our late 70s), you and I are important pieces of the picture. I don’t always feel I’m important. But that would be a lie. Our voices matter. Now and even after we’re gone.
Thank you for your friendship. I still hope to meet you someday! 🙂
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“How might we join the struggle
that needs more than any
one person can give or endure?” – This is the very question I keep asking – so far prayer has been the answer, but not a very satisfying one; I want to “do something”!
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Hi, dw. I think prayer is one of the most powerful things we can “do” — especially when it changes us and our way of seeing the world, and ourselves within it–which can lead to ‘doing’ something, though probably not the big things that make the news. Great comment.
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