Hi fellow white yoga teacher,
I’m not sure what your questions have to do with the article, especially when you haven’t answered them yourself.
My family can be traced on both sides from Europe before the Revolution. Mostly Northwest European. My European ancestors benefited from the color of their skin in terms of being allowed immigrate and through laws that prevented non-white people from owning property, having an education, and working many well-paid jobs. Some of my ancestors were Scottish and Irish, which were groups treated similarly to black folks… at first, but then were integrated into the US as “white”. Whiteness is indeed a construct. Read “White by Law” and other books about this if you’re curious about how whiteness has been constructed over time. Colonialism has an impact on how the world is structured today in terms of both who is valued and where their efforts are considered credible.
While I am not a scholar of whiteness or colonialism, I am a curious layperson who has both a degree in Modern European History (since 1200 AD) and a law degree. So it’s arguable that I have more of a background in these areas than the average layperson.
The class system in England and the caste system in India have both caused a great deal of suffering to their populations. I don’t follow what that has to do with my article, even if I had stated otherwise. Are you saying that “Everyone has suffered so it all evens out and let’s forget about it?” We all suffer to some extent in our lives and everyone always has, but we can’t ignore the suffering that we have caused or that our ancestors have caused and that we have benefited from, however indirectly.
I want to take responsibility for how my ancestors benefited from colonialism and whiteness. I think it’s important for the healing of the planet and ourselves.
It’s okay with me if no one outside the US cares about this conversation. Though I know for a fact that’s not the case. It’s okay for there to be folks who are asking questions specific to their culture and their time and place. Whether lots of people care about it or only a few, I’m listening.
I think it says a little too much about you that you are willing to group all South Asians into one “privileged” group. There are privileged folks in India, and they often bring their privilege and money with them. But the vast majority of South Asians are not wealthy, not even in this country, and many experience discrimination and worse. I just heard a story about a young Indian immigrant who was brutally killed outside a bar for being perceived as a terrorist.
As white people, it’s part of our privilege to be allowed to ignore the suffering of those who don’t share racial privilege with us. In fact we’re encouraged to ignore it, and encouraged to shame other white people for acknowledging it, as you’ve tried to do here to me. If you choose to continue to ignore it, that’s your delusion and confusion. I choose to have my eyes and my heart open. And so do many others.
