Here's What a White Savior Is (And Why It's the Opposite of Helpful)

[oberliner]

Volunteering in African countries, “saving” Muslim hijabi women, watching movies with white teachers “inspiring” low-income students of color.

Are these examples of helpful white allies – or are they causing more harm than good?

Here’s Celia Edell with an explanation of why these “feel good” stories don’t actually feel very good for people of color. In fact, you might take the role of a “white savior” and believe that you’re helping, but there’s a good chance that you got that idea from some pretty messed up portrayals in the media.

So find out where encouragement of white saviorhood comes from – so that you can recognize when it’s happening, why it’s harmful, and how to avoid being part of the problem.

https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/white-savior-problem/

[MattP]

1. Doctors without borders are bad?

[Croney]

2. My nephew has lived in Ethiopia for five years,

with the Peace Corps, working with farmers to help improve crop production. I doubt they mind that he is white.

[Aristus]

3. If I witness someone harassing a minority, should I ignore it or try to help?

Is being perceived as a 'white savior' worse than being indifferent to the suffering of others?

[hlthe2b]

4. so, a 20 something white young women preaching to all about the sins of trying to help others

experiencing injustice or serious trouble because if you are white, to do so is abjectly horrible. Ok....

This young woman, no matter how earnest, no matter how many youtube videos she makes, does not seem to me to have all the answers of mankind. Obviously the OP may differ in their opinion.

[gollygee]

5. That isn't the same as speaking up when you see someone getting bullied

Standing up and saying something isn't the same thing as volunteering in an African country or saving women from wearing hajib who would rather wear hajib.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

6. But you were talking about not saying anything when someone was being bullied by racists.

This is entirely different.

[cabot]

7. so...essentially. ..fuck altruism

I guess no one should volunteer in developing countries or anywhere else unless they look like the people whom they are assisting. Fine.

There's a difference between a white saviour and someone who wants to help who just happens to be white.

Maybe until people know the difference, I guess we can say too bad so sad to communities that might need assistance.

[gollygee]

8. .

https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/respond-racism
http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/7-ways-to-stand-up-to-racism
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/01/16/calling-out-racists-is-good-for-your-health-according-to-science-heres-how-to-do-it/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.81b4224d2aee
https://www.theroot.com/5-ways-white-people-can-fight-white-supremacy-1819286547

I could find dozens of articles saying the right thing to do is to stand up to people who are racist.

[kwassa]

9. Oberliner, you might take some advice from this article.

It’s so important that white western feminists, like me, examine our privilege and realize that people of color, whether they live in a low-income area of a big city, or a rural African country, or a Middle Eastern country, they have their own voices. I don’t know what’s best for them. They know what’s best for them.

[heaven05]

10. really?