Want people to do the right thing? Save them the guilt trip

Re:Want people to do the right thing? Save them the guilt trip by taurath on Wednesday August 26, 2020 @01:53PM (#24285132)

Again, you shouldn't feel guilt for yourself, but you should feel guilt for your ancestors. Not self-flagellation. And you should attempt some penance if you are able - sometimes that just involves welcoming people into spaces with you.

What is not tolerable to me is to pretend you are not, at least in part, a result of a long string of advantages. That your relative power comes with responsibility. And to not put your head in the sand and grow hateful of the disadvantaged.

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Re:Want people to do the right thing? Save them the guilt trip by AnimalMuppet on Wednesday August 26, 2020 @03:24PM (#24286236)

My ancestor died in the Civil War, on the Northern side. Other of my ancestors moved from nice safe Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Lawrence, Kansas, at a time when it was "Bleeding Kansas", to try to keep it non-slave.

Explain to me again why I should feel guilt for my ancestors?

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Re:Want people to do the right thing? Save them the guilt trip by SeerKlein on Thursday August 27, 2020 @10:39AM (#24294109)

I don't think that's what the article was getting at. Feeling guilty is the exact thing that you're supposed to avoid, if you want to help others. Instead, focus on the gratitude and how fortunate you are. From there, because you feel so grateful and compassionate, you want to help others alleviate their suffering.

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