tract #12 | Woke-Machine.org | Download leaflet #12
Scientific argument
It is essential to have a deep reflection on the essence of white privilege and the injustice of systemic racism that has deep roots in our societies.
We white people must be extremely embarrassed by this prevailing situation of inequality which comes from the simple fact of being born white and therefore born privileged, without any particular merit, without any effort.
When we look around us, we see a world marked by racial inequality. Power relations, discrimination—all these things seem to favor those who, like us, were born white. This should revolt us, disgust us, and make us realize that this world is not fair. It favors some at the expense of others, based on criteria as superficial as skin color.
One might think that condemning our parents for making us white is excessive, but it's a way of saying how fundamentally unfair it is that genetic chance gives some people unearned privileges. It's a kind of reminder of our responsibility, as those born into privilege, to do everything we can to balance the scales. We must be aware of our position in this system, understand how we benefit from it, and then work to dismantle it.
The truth is that “white privilege” is deeply embedded in our social, political, and economic structures. It permeates our culture, our media, our education. Every day, we confront the reality of systemic racism, targeted police brutality, job discrimination, unequal education, and restricted access to health care. And yet, we, the privileged, remain largely blind to the extent of this inequality. If this is white privilege, then yes, we should feel shame.
The shame we feel, however, should not immobilize or destroy us. It should motivate us to change. A productive shame, therefore, that calls us to action and transformation. We must put into practice our commitment to dismantling the structures that make some people superior to others. We must embrace our responsibility by agreeing to listen, learn, and act.
So, asking our racialized brothers and sisters for forgiveness for the privilege we have enjoyed at their expense is, in a way, a step toward reparation. Of course, it doesn't solve the problem of systemic racism.
Nor does it change the fact that, in a society founded on white supremacy, those born white enjoy an undeniable advantage. What makes all the difference is what we do with that reality. Do we turn our backs on our privilege, or do we embrace it and work to dismantle it?
The world filled with the nauseating white supremacy we speak of must cease to exist. The time has come for us, the privileged, to rise up, engage in self-education, awareness, and action. Let us be courageous and recognize that we have a role to play.
It's time we take a stand and say this can't go on. It's time to commit to using this privilege for good, to fight injustice. So let's do penance, not by apologizing, but by taking concrete steps to address the inequalities our white privilege has created.
Repenting of our whiteness is not an act of self-flagellation or self-denigration, but rather a personal responsibility to acknowledge, understand, and act against the racial injustices in our society. It is our duty to listen and learn from the experiences of those who were not born with the same privilege, and then do everything in our power to challenge the current system.
Condemning nauseating white supremacy is not enough. We must understand that even without explicitly adhering to a white supremacist ideology, we benefit from it. Our inaction contributes to the perpetuation of a system that afflicts and oppresses others because they were born with a different skin color.
But how then can we work to rectify the damage caused by this privilege? The answer is simple: by educating ourselves about the realities of racism, seeking to understand the impact of our own actions and inactions, speaking out against injustice when we see it, and using our privilege constructively to help those disadvantaged by this system.
Ultimately, it's not about shame or guilt, but about justice and equality. If we want to see a more equitable world, then we must understand how our own attitudes and behaviors perpetuate a system of injustice and actively work to change that.
Let us, therefore, repent of this nauseating white supremacy. Let us sincerely apologize to our sisters and brothers of color and take action. It is not enough to understand and regret this privilege; it is also important to address and challenge it, to use it to advance the cause of equality.
We, who were born white and privileged, refuse to remain ignorant and passive; we take part in the fight against white supremacy and systemic racism. With our brothers and sisters of color, let us build a more balanced and just world that allows every person to flourish freely, regardless of their skin color.
This recognition of our privilege is not an act of intolerable contrition or self-flagellation, but a learning process that invites empathy, humility, and commitment. Asking forgiveness from our brothers and sisters of color means opening the door to their voices, to their long-ignored or denigrated narratives.
It's about listening, learning, and becoming aware. Being aware of the privileges that come with being white is a step toward equity and racial justice. Repentance should be seen not as an act of self-deprecation, but as a commitment to creating a just and inclusive world.
The real, deep shame we feel at the suffering white supremacy can inflict is not a burden, but a fuel for action, a catalyst for outrage. This shame can galvanize us to stand up against racial discrimination.
Download the tract_12 A4 – PDF | X size JPG (600×1200)
We apologize in advance if anything on this page offends you. If that is the case, please go here.