David W. Swanson

Pastor and Author

Should white men feel guilty?

The always thought provoking Irene’s Daughters linked to this video last month.  In this short clip author Tim Wise addresses the question,

As a white male, should I feel guilty for the sins of my fathers?

This is an important question because, when it comes to privilege, many of us (white men) have trouble moving beyond feelings of guilt to something more productive.  Wise’s response is helpful to me in it’s clarity and direction.

I’m curious what you think. Do you agree with Wise that those of us with unearned privilege must take responsibility for how that privilege affects others?

David Swanson

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2 responses to “Should white men feel guilty?”

  1. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I find this understanding of the responsibilities coming with privilege very in keeping with the call from Scripture to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. There is also the thought one finds in the Fathers of the Church that each Christian has a solidarity with all fellow human beings in sin, and that in taking on the mindset of Christ, we accept responsibility before God for one another and a willingness to share in the burden that the liability of our communal sin creates. I think the model for what Wise suggests here is Jesus Himself. I think especially of Philippians 2:1-8. In the Incarnation, Jesus set aside all of his privileges as God and showed this solidarity with us in our fallen lot when He accepted the Cross and death on our behalf and poured Himself out in sacrifice for us. Scripture makes it clear that a true fellowship with Christ (a true communion with and in Him) involves a communion in His sufferings and death as well as in His life. Humility and a willing self-sacrifice for the well-being of others (empowered, of course, by the experience of God’s grace–not compelled by a neurotic guilt!) is the evidence of any authentic Christian faith. Further, Christ’s teaching about stewardship is clear–anything we possess of talents and material, political or social advantages is a gift and trust from God to be stewarded and used for His purposes. This is a very high calling. The gospel teaching that “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” from Luke 12:48 is a very sobering one in any context for American Christians.

    Reply
    1. David Swanson Avatar
      David Swanson

      I have nothing to add Karen. Thank you for the theological framework you provide for these questions.

      Reply

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