My White Privilege and My White Fragility

 — Fr. David’s Blog of 6/19/2020 — I am really looking forward to this Sunday’s live video conversation with Canon Casson and Rabbi Krantz. That’s this Sunday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m.

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 Or call Danny Schweers at 302 475-0998 (even at the last minute) and he will give you the Zoom login numbers.

In last week’s E-Blast, I shared with the congregation the functions of White Fragility that may be found in the book, White Fragility, by Robin Diangelo. This week I wish to share with you some of my own experience of white privilege and white fragility.
 
I have reflected a great deal about this topic over the course of the last three weeks since the death of George Floyd and the death of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta last week. My struggle has been how to put into words all that has happened in the last month. These events challenge me to leave the comfort of my white privilege as well as to open my heart to hear the pain that is being expressed not only in the city of Wilmington but around the country.

What actions can I take to help bring about needed change in this community? How do I not cut myself off from the pain and the anger and instead move out into the world and join with all of you in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters? I have far more questions than answers at the moment.
 
Maybe that is a good thing as this is the first time in a long time I am asking myself the difficult questions as to my role as a clergy person who has been silent for too long. My white privilege and white fragility have paralyzed me to act in the past. After reading again the book White Fragility, I have had to ask myself what I have done and left undone when it comes to battling systemic and structural racism.
 
I have often been silent when it comes to speaking out, but not completely silent. I have participated in and have facilitated study circles on racism over the last twenty years. As important as these study circles are to allow people to share their experiences it is not enough at this time. White people are being asked to do more today and to take responsibility for their complicity with racism.
 
I hope that the conversation that begins on Sunday, June 28, will be the beginning of a new day. My vision is that the conversation a week from Sunday will not be the last. My hope is that future conversations will include you so that I may listen to your experience and your pain and how together we can work together to eliminate racism. I hope you will join us on Sunday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m.