Letter: White people are not the victims of 'wokeness'

In the arguments over the “woke” agenda, I am guided primarily by the outrageous arrogance of white people.

“We don’t want to be blamed for the sins of our fathers,” goes the whine. All these “good” Americans who have built this country into what it is today want no part in its creation, they just want the spoils of that creation. As if Dr. Frankenstein could disown his monster.

My question is, "How do you think you were able to create this amazing country?" Well, let’s start by acquiring the land and resources. How did you do that? You did that by annihilating nearly 10 million indigenous people who already lived here and, insofar as they could, possessed the land.

You imported 600,000 Africans as slaves to work in your fields, your shops and your homes, owning them as you would cattle.

This is the true cost of your success.

It is not about being woke, it is about being aware of where you came from and your legacy. You may not wish to accept the continued pain your arrogance creates but rest assured, it is still there and it is still raw.

You are not the victim here.

Carl Wannemacher is a resident of Perham, Minn.

This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.