Should white people feel guilt of what their grandparents did to black people?

Answer 1

do black people in south africa under nelson mandela feel guilt about what they have done to other black ppl under king buthelezi there in the past 15 years?

Answer 2

How in the world or why in the world should I feel guilty for something that happened long before I was ever born. I can't even be responsible for what my mom, dad, sister's or brother's
do, I can only be responsible for what I do. Actually, that all goes back further then my grandparents. What you can feel guilty about is doing nothing now, when you know a wrong is being done to someone and you do nothing. Saying nothing makes you as guilty as the person doing it. Regardless of color, at this point in time color should have nothing to do with it. Its just about right and wrong treatment of another human being.

Answer 3

No, my grandparents did not do nothing to you. It was long before my grandparents, and it was not done to you, so why are you so hateful and mean? Please explain to me what I owe you???????? My ancestors have been wronged more than you. What is your complaint? My ancestors are Indian and have been mistreated along time before you came here! Can I add something here? I am a white/Indian American, that lashed out against your question. Yes in the past your people, meaning black African Americans were treated with disrespect in the late past, but you have not been treated this way. Why would you as a American expect different treatment than any other person here? I have been turned down for jobs because I was not black. What do you want??? What do you expect??? What is owed to you??? Maybe if you explain yourself, we will finally understand!!!!

Answer 4

my grndprnts didnt come to usa until 1901-2;slavery was already over. they didnt hav th time to get involvd w all the b.s. here-they had 2 find work, luckily they were skilled craftsmen. they worked hard & eventually raised a family which remained together & contributed 2 th family as they grew up (when th going gets tough, th tough get going)....Slavery existed in th u.s. 4 only 87 years (1776-1863)= read a real history book: the oxford history of the american people, by samuel eliot morrison. Slaves were not treated as badly as has been exaggerated...SEE THIS BOOK . Proud and Busy American European..... P.S. my grandparents could not speak english when they arrived here, but they had 2 learn it and they did. also, my father and uncles were all proud 2 serve in th u.s. armed forces in ww2, proud americans.

Answer 5

Guilt is always an optional emotion. However, a less emotional person may choose ethical and right thinking about the subject. This might point towards compassion and understanding because of what your people did.

Heck, it might ever render emotional sentiments such as empathy and justification.

I mean really, who knows what truly intelligent minds could risk to imagine, other than arrogant superiority.

.

Answer 6

We should all feel empathy but not guilt!! My grandparents were poor and never owned anything - much less someone!

Slaves were sold to people here from their own people - the Irish were treated poorly - the hispanic population treated poorly - Japense Americans were treated poorly - Middle Easterns are currently being treated poorly- and yet none of these compare to what happened to the American Indian

Throughout history there have been grave errors in judgement - learn from them - don't repeat them - and move on.

Answer 7

I don't see why. But I believe they should make an effort to change things for the better. The effort should not come from guilt but from a genuinely good heart. Most Black people have had no help in building a good life for themselves and have had to start from scratch, fending for themseles in a situation which was caused by others.

Answer 8

My grandparents were Cherokee...and they did nothing to black people. The biggest scandal was my Cherokee grandfather marrying a white woman.

Answer 9

My grandparents didn't do anything to black people......even if someone down my family tree did I shouldn't feel guilt because I didn't do anything.

Answer 10

No one should feel guilt about what they did not do. They should feel guilty if they are racist and practice discrimination solely based on race. If they don't, they have nothing to feel guilty about. They can feel bad about what happened but they are not obligated to make it up to blacks. If they choose to, great, but it should not be forced upon them.