What is with the 'my ancestors weren't here for that so I don't have to feel guilty about it" thing anyway? As far as I can see it's just a way of saying "that historical outrage wasn't wrong after all or at least I don't have to care about it" with a side dish of "the past has no influence the present and there is no way in which I benefit from the results of oppressions perpetuated in the past."
For example, I'm pretty sure none of my ancestors were Nazis because AFAIK they were all Black and living in Jamaica at that point, but that doesn't mean I would be justified in denying or downplaying the Holocaust, or in leaving anti-Semitism unchallenged today or in letting myself benefit from someone's decision to favor me over someone else because they think I'm a Christian.
Interestingly, while I have remarked to people that my ancestors were probably not oppressors, it has never once occurred to me to use that as an excuse to ignore or downplay anything that has happened, or even to overlook the ongoing consequences of those actions. It's amazing how people will justify themselves!!
(no subject)
What is with the 'my ancestors weren't here for that so I don't have to feel guilty about it" thing anyway? As far as I can see it's just a way of saying "that historical outrage wasn't wrong after all or at least I don't have to care about it" with a side dish of "the past has no influence the present and there is no way in which I benefit from the results of oppressions perpetuated in the past."
For example, I'm pretty sure none of my ancestors were Nazis because AFAIK they were all Black and living in Jamaica at that point, but that doesn't mean I would be justified in denying or downplaying the Holocaust, or in leaving anti-Semitism unchallenged today or in letting myself benefit from someone's decision to favor me over someone else because they think I'm a Christian.
From flaviarassen