Dear Movie Goers,
I am your White savior trope and I am here to say, “you’re welcome”.
Hollywood has shown us time and time again, people of color NEED White people to save them. Movies depicting inequality and racial injustice make those in power uncomfortable. That is why, I, the White Savior trope, exist. Movie after movie we have seen people of color struggle and it is clear, without the help of me, your White savior, you would never overcome your terrible strife.
Had 12 Years A Slave not dropped its Brad Pitt-ex-machina at the end of the movie, Black people would not fully understand the depths of how terrible slavery was and how the White man can save people of color from themselves.
You’re welcome, Black people! I, your White savior, freed you from slavery.
It is the “White Man’s Burden” (shout out to Rudyard Kipling for paving the way for me) to be your savior. My savior complex helps me feel less guilty and absolve myself of the sins of my country. I gladly and with honor work tirelessly on being your savior.
You’re welcome, people who have been marginalized I, your White savior, am feeling less guilty.
It isn’t just White men who are saviors. Lest not forget to give thanks to the White women who help others know it is okay to believe in Black men or even Black women.
Without these White women saviors, people of color would never have been granted permission to find success and happiness. All you have to do is ask Sandra Bullock!
Adopting a Black child really helped all of us feel less icky about the perils of racism and injustice! We were referring to the movie The Blind Side but turns out Sandra Bullock also adopted a Black child, in real life!
You’re welcome, Black children! Your White savior taught you to dream big!
The Civil Rights movement didn’t have enough inspirational Black folks to encourage the need for self-determination. It is why I am happy to work tirelessly and continue to save you.
Narrative after narrative and as long as Hollywood continues to not care about representation through hiring trans and nonbinary writers, Black and Brown writers, queer and disabled writers; I continue to be your White savior.
You’re welcome, list of people that is too long to write out! I, your White savior will remain here indefinitely!
Nothing says good narrative like someone learning a lesson. That is where I come in. How would I have the opportunity to learn about myself if I didn’t have the opportunity to save you from some terrible injustice?
You’re welcome, human race! I, your White savior, made a story feel fleshed out!
Right now you are asking yourself, other than being White, what purpose do I serve? Answer: I help your neighbors feel better about you, a person of color.
I am giving them a way to feel better about the fact they have done nothing but help perpetuate a system of racial injustice but gosh darn it they just want to raise a family and go to work without all this pesky race talk. I, your White savior, help alleviate their grievances.
You’re welcome White people! I, your White savior, help you avoid substantive conversations about race and racism.
To show you that I am not just about accepting your gratitude, I would like to take a moment and thank the following films that helped shape who I am. Thank you:
The Air Up There
Amistad
Avatar
The Blind Side
Blood Diamond
Cloud Atlas
Cool Runnings
Dances with Wolves
Dangerous Minds
District 9
Django Unchained
Elysium
Finding Forrester
Freedom Writers
Glory
Glory Road
Gran Torino
The Great Wall
The Greatest Showman
The Help
Hidden Figures
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
The Jackie Robinson Story
La La Land
The Last Samurai
Lawrence of Arabia
The Legend of Tarzan
Lincoln
Lion
The Matrix
Mississippi Burning
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Our Brand is Crisis
Remember the Titans
Snow Falling on Cedars
Stargate
A Time to Kill
To Kill a Mockingbird
Wildcats
You’re welcome, marginalized, underrepresented, victims of injustice and inequality people. It is MY privilege to be YOUR White savior!
