Memoirs of a White Savior

Last year, a student came to my office hours to discuss her post-graduation plans. She said she wanted to travel, teach, and write.

 “How about joining the Peace Corps?” I suggested.

She grimaced. “The Peace Corps is problematic,” she said. 

I replied the way I always do when a student uses that all-purpose put-down. “What’s the problem?” I asked.

 “I don’t want to be a white savior,” she explained. “That’s pretty much the worst thing you can be.”

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