I consider myself a very tolerant and accepting person. I am also a white person. I ackowledge that we still live in a society where I, because of the color of my skin, am the recipient of advantages and privledges that I have not earned. In my American History Seminar class, I'm spending the whole year researching how the United States government systematically disenfranchised Native Americans, specifically with regards to education. A few weeks ago, I was discussing this project with my stepfather. He asked if I had any Native classmates and if I felt guilty about what my ancestors had done to their ancestors. In all honesty, I was completely unable to answer this question. I do not argue with the fact that Europeans and Eurocentric cultures have greatly wronged people they view as "inferior." But I'd always felt that by acknowledging the privledge I recieve, condemning the crimes of my ancestors, and working to be the most caring and accepting person I can in my daily life, I was doing all I could to absolve myself of those "original sins." Is this view wrong? I honestly want to know how guilty I am supposed to feel.