Why Is Britain So Defensive Over Its White Saviour Complex?

This landscape of modern British humanitarianism has undeniably been successful due to its use of ‘partnerships’ with entertainers. Organisations like Comic Relief have been able to flourish because it uses celebrities to use their platforms to fundraise for their campaign. At its core, these campaigns and the disturbing and dehumanising images they peddle are a form of entertainment because this is how they are able to guilt, sorry, successfully rally the British public into generously donating to their cause — by entertaining them. The “celebritisation” of development coupled with the poverty porn of communities in Africa regurgitates the colonial dichotomy of rich westerners “saving” the poor Other. Condescending narratives of white saviourism has been collectively accepted by the public and media institutions because it is understood as necessary for the greater good. This is why people are unable to see past Lammy’s critiques, they only see them as a critique on their collective humanitarian identity, a colonial, problematic ‘white’ one.

This warped understanding of humanitarianism is cyclical unless it is called out, no, ripped out, and replaced with something better. As Lammy said, Comic Relief ‘enjoys a privileged position in our national life: millions participate in fundraising and tune in. So the organisers have a unique opportunity: but with this comes responsibility. Watching celebrities on television and donating is not a way to understand nor support diversity, we must advocate for radical approaches that attempt to challenge the complexities of tackling poverty rather than simply throwing money at the problem. ‘Many high-profile calls for the West to confront the legacy of its imperial past — a sanitised and white-centred attitude towards racism and the developing world remains widespread.’ To continue to justify that we cannot follow through with our beloved identity as a nation that gives, that we are incapable of implementing sustainable structures of change that uphold the dignity of those we aim to serve, and that we are not able to be generous human beings without exploiting the suffering of the subaltern is what offends me. And that should offend you.

Article by Social Media & Content Manager Yaz Omran

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