As far as I can understand it myself, racial collectives are the result of a deeply rooted racism in our country that helps to liberate people of color, not segregate them. At first I was suspicious of their purpose, thinking their existence only widened the gap between the black and white population, socially, economically, and politically. As a white female, being aware that black collectives existed made me feel a sense of guilt from the exclusion. It was as if I had earned my place outside of these collectives, because I was part of the oppressive group. After weeks of hearing and reading different discourses on the purpose and significance of black collectives, I have finally come to the conclusion that they serve as a means to lift the spirits of people of color and to liberate them from oppressive working systems in our country. If you are white like myself, I believe you owe it to others who have suffered from our ancestors’ wrongdoings to open our ears and recognize if we are not a part of the change, we are a part of the problem. White people should accept black collectives and work to provide more tolerance of black empowerment in our country.

I learned that black collectives help build black esteem by recognizing their talents and culture, while also allowing for a safe forum to discuss day-to-day struggles. It is this significant collective history and culture that promotes black solidarity.  When I was first told about this, I reacted defensively, “Why would they assume that I’m not interested in learning about their culture? Because I’m white?” No one in my class seemed to have an answer.

However, the answer is this: America is a multicultural society, the supposed “melting pot.” To be clear, we are not a melting pot, at least no longer. Our society does not grant equal power, status, and opportunity to every racial group— we are divided. Those of different backgrounds and therefore culture are often marginalized, and the white majority reek the benefits of their skin color.  The most troubling aspect is that white people still have not woken up to this, and many take their privilege for granted. Some argue that minorities are actually being treated better than white people because they are given scholarships and boosted scoring on SAT’s. However, these things have been in place to “level the playing field” as Zeba Blay, writer of the Huffington Post says in her article 4’ Reverse Racism’ Myths That Need to Stop. These strategies were not put in place to make one group higher than another, they were to allow minorities to have a chance of holding a job in a respectful workplace. So no, not everyone is equal, and we are not a melting pot, YET.

That being said, multiculturalism has created issues within our society that many are actively facing today. First, minority groups such as Blacks have been oppressed by our society that refuses to grant them fair treatment under the law, even though it is stated in our country’s fourteenth amendment— “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Black people have been bullied by police as well as murdered without justification. Our government fails to check lower powers of government,such as police, and thus allows corruption.

Second, a multicultural society, such as America, does not own its identity and thus is trumped by white culture. Different people render themselves to different values and “bigger purposes” in their lives. Part of this sense of purpose is derived from a sense of patriotism, a collectiveness found in culture. However, if someone is treated unfairly in their own country, where does this sense of pride come from? This question empties itself out into our outrageous prison system. In the United States, 60% of the incarcerated population is people of color. I believe this is because feeling ashamed of conducting a crime in a country that has stolen from you, belittled your own intelligence and people does not make one feel a sense of mobility. Aside from the spotlight being on black people, America “incarcerates more citizens per capita than any other country on earth,”says Vince Beiser in his interview with Nills Christie sociologist and criminologist, for Wired Magazine. The problem is that more than half of criminals are nonviolent, yet still find themselves in prison and will find themselves there again because of a faulty rehabilitation system. Yet, according to Nills Christie, another major factor comes into play in which these punishments that have served his country well, do not show the same results in a culture where unification is absent. In multiculturalist America, where people have different cultural backgrounds, where minorities are not given equal opportunity and thus feel doomed from birth, living here as a black person can feel hopeless and bereft in direction.

Herein lies the importance of black collectives. Black collectives are necessary when our country does not recognize black people as talented, useful and significant. These groups are necessary to bring these people up, to improve their esteem, to make them feel that they are a part of our country and that their fate is not destined at birth because of the color of their skin. In an ideal world, where America is the promised “melting pot,” black collectives will no longer exist, because everyone will recognize black culture and know that it works with white culture, not against.

Lastly, we must discuss white privilege and its correspondence to white guilt. Although being aware of our privilege is a necessity to further our awareness about black struggle, white guilt is harmful. White guilt had colored my understanding of black collectives because I had presumed myself as the enemy, victimizing myself and thus closing myself off to different perspectives and a way to new understandings. Whether you decide to stay ignorant or not to this problem is not for me to decide, however I will be the first to admit that white guilt is an issue in and of itself. Some find themselves feeling guilty because they are aware of their privilege, and know others do not live with the same opportunities. However, if we have not done others harm or injustice, then there is no need to feeling guilty for something you were born into, just like people of color in regards to their skin color. Instead, we must recognize injustice and find a way to take charge of change. Each and every one of us can use our talents to further black empowerment, whether it be changing the syllabus as a teacher, or writing an informative writing piece and sharing it with the public. Trust me, there is room for you to help.

I challenge my readers to explore their observations, how society has made them feel. Society had made me feel like the enemy, that I was not allowed to be a part of a black collective because of my skin color. And though my feelings are valid in the sense that something happened and I reacted, I wanted to find out why black collectives are exclusive to begin with. Perhaps if we all adopt a sense of suspicion towards our own feelings and problems in our society we will feel more inclined to do the research, to find answers we were not aware of before. Find a way to reconcile prejudice, anger, guilt so we can one day come together.