An Open Letter to Sam Tabachnik
An Open Letter to Sam Tabachnik, Author of
“What’s ‘white privilege’ all about? The People’s Institute offers tough insights” and
“Confessions of a 20-something: You want to save the world? Take a number”
Hi Sam, this is Mat Freimuth. We don't know each other, but between the 13 mutual friends and both being cisgendered white males who just graduated from Tulane, I think our kindred spirits are dancing with each other quite closely. So, brother to brother, I would like to share some words of love, albeit some strongly worded. You see, as a fellow white person coming to terms with his position in an oppressive society and global order, I love you, because we white people need to be in this struggle for liberation together. So consider this a “calling in” of the kind Ngọc Loan Trần discusses, one that is meant to bring you to the table, not push you away, but also one that calls out the fucked up shit occurring in your thoughts and words.
I admit I was less than impressed by your original article about “doing good” as a vocation. I am glad that it led to some reflection on your part. I'm also glad that this reflection has led to some important and powerful steps, such as attending an Undoing Racism training. I would also like to thank you for profiling and highlighting the work of the People's Institute. That was a productive and meaningful use of your position in getting to write for a widely-read local publication.
The compliments stop there, though, because of the bitter taste your follow-up article left in my heart and mouth. Let's consider this piece as what it is: a self-congratulatory, self-promoting announcement of your newfound awareness.
Now let's look at this, lest I be pulling this assertion out of my ass. In detailing every step in this short journey, from reading the comments to speaking with Melissa Harris-Perry, the effect of your framing and content is for the reader to truly, deeply understand that yes, you are going to devastatingly great lengths to undercover this elusive “white privilege.” A note on the conversations you've sought out: There are many people of color who have taken the time and energy to explain things to white people, as you've experienced with Melissa Harris-Perry, Ron Chisom, and likely others, but you need to get real clear on this now: people of color are not here to help you understand whiteness and coddle you when you feel uncomfortable. What you're doing, while it may feel revelatory, is nothing new. White people have been active at trying to dismantle white supremacy for centuries. Detailing your budding anti-racism, and getting published for it, simultaneously 1) undermines those who have been at this far longer than you (such as those in New Orleans part of PISAB's group European Dissent, which meets at the PISAB office every 1st Monday and 3rd Wednesday), and 2) further entrenches the consensus that we deserve recognition for our struggles in understanding our power and privilege, that we are entitled to getting recognition for doing something that makes us uncomfortable.
There are people and groups in your immediate community who have been engaging in these processes and conversations for years, yet you are the one who gets credit for chronicling your process. I'm talking specifically about Students Organizing Against Racism (SOAR). SOAR has been on Tulane's campus for years now, and it is the group organizing multiple free PISAB trainings per year. My point is that we should ask ourselves, “Why is it that the opportunistic cisgendered white male with an elite education gets the recognition when there are so many people around him who are his age, younger, and older who have been engaged in this work more deeply?” As one commenter stated, it's quite the privilege to get a referral from Melissa Harris-Perry.
And this brings me to my other major point, that framing this article in this manner and having it published centers whiteness. Whiteness and the individual white experience is already centered as universal. Your article and way of thinking, as assumed from your writing, says, “My white experience is what's worth paying attention to and worth talking about.” Exacerbating this norm leads to the continued silencing of people of color.
Finally, please realize that you are literally profiting off of becoming aware of your privilege and others' oppression. What you're aiming for is visibility for a budding writing career, if not actual monetary compensation, no? This is a dangerous road to go down, as we see in the problematic expressions of 'professional' white anti-racism by people like Tim Wise
Like I said, this is meant to call in, not out. Love is tough sometimes, but I wouldn't be writing this if I thought it was a futile effort. So come to a European Dissent meeting, get involved in a POC-led organization about a cause that inspires you (Perhaps Voice of the Ex-Offender, Safe Streets/Strong Communities, Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools, or Family and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children). I hope this finds you well and that you've taken something away from it.
