Hey, question from a white person.

[Neoma]

I had an interesting argument with a black man on Instagram that doesn't view white people as fully human. I kept trying to chip away at it with no success. He kept using the phrase, "we don't need a white savior." From my understanding the white savior thing is a movie stereotype that shows a white fantasy of saving all the black people during the Jim Crow era when it didn't actually happen, and it gives the impression that black people were passive in their own history. Is there more to it, and why is it being used to discourage white people from saying they're going to try to dismantle white supremacy from within?

I am not opposed to the thought that this guy could have been a white supremacist pretending to be a black guy on Instagram. Totally plausible, honestly the whole conversation could be used as propaganda for them. My question is also: is this seriously a thing?

[The Polack MSgt]

1. Hello Neoma

This is hard to answer for a couple of reasons:

First of all, the sad truth is there are very few AAs still active on DU.

DU is a very white community.

The 16 primary season drove away dozens of AA posters, and the reactions to 2018 pushed many more away.

Next, without reading the exchange no one could parse the words and tone used by either of you, so it would just be guessing on our part.

Now while "dismantling white supremacy from within" requires discussions with white people, in my opinion it shouldn't require validation from strangers and it won't be achieved with screen fights on the web with other strangers.

The "White Savior" definition you used is oddly specific as well - The over arching "White Savior" concept is not restricted to stories from past generations- although it has become a cinematic term because of the bushel full of bullshit that Hollywood put out since the 70s.

It is still a current term for white folks who believe they can fix a situation without fully understanding it - all while ignoring the thoughts of the people living in that situation.

Peace. TPMS

[Neoma]

2. Ok, good to know.

It wasn't a validation thing, more of a statement that I'm going to do what I can with or without his approval. After he said I was part of a serpentine race that can't ever be trusted. Sigh.

[Kind of Blue]

3. "My question is also: Is this seriously a thing?"

I just checked Google and there are about 10 million results ranging from scholarly works to opinion pieces and even Wikipedia. Google is really a good place to start after trying to chip away with no success during engagement with black people/person who've specifically targeted a well-defined syndrome of malleable white supremacy that you may be unconsciously exhibiting.

[Neoma]

4. My question is why it's being used in that manner.

If it's commonly used to discourage white people from addressing racism. That's how it was being used toward me in a, "we don't need help" way. "Is this seriously a thing." Is asking prevalence.

[Kind of Blue]

5. I don't know of white savior

as commonly used unless it is to address the complex once observed. And it is far from any means used to discourage white people from addressing racism. It's very specific and, indeed, we don't need that kind of help.

Again, I refer you to Google search results for better understanding, 10 million of them waiting for you.

[Neoma]

7. That's how it was used.

Specifically saying black people do not need white allies period. That black people need to unite to overthrow white supremacy and take over Africa and become the supreme world power.

This is why I'm perplexed by it. I've never seen it used that way.