The White Savior Syndrome: White Folks Redemption…

The Provocative  Racist Narrative of White Motherhood Saving Black Babies….

Has anyone been noticing the number of white celebrities adopting Black children? Madonna, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt, etc. Is it love for these children or is it trendy?

One of the most egregious narratives, is the fact that many white women are driven by feeling inadequate, thus, they have to do something to make themselves feel better about themselves.  What better way to do that than to go out and adopt Black babies.  It was a cool thing, right?  Or was it the incendiary aim of covert bigotry to project an altered state of truth;  racism being the force in these images, sending the subliminal message that white women can be better mothers to Black children than Black women.

Please don’t let me forget all of the movies of late about white folks saving poor Black people: 12 Years a Slave, The Help (a movie I still refuse to see), Avatar, The Blind Side, Blood Diamond, Dangerous Minds, Freedom Riders etc.   Hollywood loves these type of movies.  No matter how well-intentioned, the movie always ends up being about them.  What is so interesting about these movies is how they try to portray one white person or family rising about the white racism in order to save the person of color  but never address the advantages of White Privilege,  and the subconscious racism that many whites, even nice white folks, often are guilty of.

What is the White Savior mentality? It’s the belief of white folks, whether consciously or sub-consciously, who believe they have to be the benevolent benefactors of the helpless. And what greater people to exercise this innate narcissism than through the greatest victims of white hatred, the Black race.  This behavior is driven by paternalism.  Naturally, within itself, it’s absolutely patronizing and arrogant.

What a narrative. Save the ravaged people, then become THEIR HERO!

Would you like to take a bite of that Milky Way?

I’ve had two relatives that were adopted, but thankfully, other family members took them.

Whenever I see white folks taking a strong interest in Black people for any reason, my natural instinct is to question their intent. And there always is an agenda with these people.

If you look at the behavior of white folks, they love to take up causes. Their actions are motivated from their belief that they–and ONLY THEY…can solve the problems of people, who in the narrative of the world, and privileged attitudes afforded to them by White Privilege,  are inferior.   Of course they will appreciate their interest in helping them.  It’s the the complete un-racist thing to do, right?  Really?

Was it not the Indians that saved the lives of the Pilgrims that first winter?, yet, the Indians were branded as savages.

And just look at the number of white folks in Africa. My god. You’d think they assume that Africans don’t have the resolve or resources to solve their own problems. From early white missionaries to the white aid today, this interaction is always given without invitation. White folks just decide to instigate into the politics and everyday happenings of people, whether their help is requested or not.  Again, the drive?  To be the sole benefactor of world praise–and let us not forget how great this looks PR wise. For who?

Pardon me, but there is an evil in this and it needs to be called out. Some people mean well, but God save us all from these types. Helping is one thing, but when you create a psychological imprint in the minds of those in need that you are the only one they can turn to when in trouble, this destroys the natural incentive to do-for-self.

Although some people are driven by good intentions, this attitude in white people and behavior, can, and is perceived, as a superiority complex fueled by deep rooted paternalism.

White people are not the world’s saving grace, and if intellect and wisdom can be implored here; it’s great to help, but when you’re really of service, you empower others to help themselves.

Contrary to popular belief, white people are not the world’s saving grace–Jesus is.