Acknowledging racism, both explicit and systemic, can lead us to experience shame and guilt, even if we haven’t acted in overtly racist ways ourselves. In fact, it can make those who were oppressed feel shame and guilt too. Why? Because so many of us connect slavery to weakness, inferiority, and a lack of humanity. This shame and guilt—the shame and guilt of both White and non-White people—can keep us from reckoning with the truth.
