Recognizing cultural advantages

Editor,

I have spent a lot of time this past year observing, with disgusted amazement, the response to the now infamous Rudy  Martinez article in the University Star from last year. Martinez’ article, titled “Your DNA is an Abomination,” argues that White people in America need to come to terms with their family’s history of oppressing other communities, recognize how that history impacts the advantages they receive today over other groups, and urges White people to take a role in activism to undo those advantages. This is not how the article was read by its target audience: it was perceived as an attack on White people. But the points outlined in the article are worth examining, so allow me to discuss my own family’s history for a  moment.

My great-grandmother was the President of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Her great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, and most likely at least advocated for slavery, if he didn’t actively own any slaves. I am White, and I have blood on my hands. I have since the day I was born. Every accolade I’ve received and everything I’ve earned was at least in-part due to economic advantages that allowed my mother to drop out of college and raise two children without needing to work to support us, and social advantages that allowed my father to drive an hour to and from work each night without worrying about being stopped by police for no reason.

And so, Dear Editor, I would like to respond to Mr. Martinez’ point: yes, my DNA is an abomination, and I aim to atone for it.  Moreover, I encourage your readers to join me in critically examining their own complacency in these systems. I hope to see you all at the next sit-in.

Emily Bogue

San Marcos