I agree completely. Movies like that are great, but I often think more white people should be exposed to films that force them (us, in my case) to face the present situation of racial divisions in American and say, "Well shit. Things might be better, but they certainly aren't great, and maybe I should be doing a little more about that." Because, you're right, it's too easy to have that ridiculous "Good thing we aren't racist anymore" mentality. But usually the movies that shed light on the current problems are things like documentaries, and don't get as much attention. I'm thinking of films like The House I live in, which isn't strictly about race, but certainly has a lot to do with it. I can't think of other examples right now. I'm interested in the conversation that ended in I think some white people watch Selma and The Help and they're like "Well that was awful! That was truly, truly awful! Thank god it's not like that any more!"
So you totally didn't expect this but I think I needed to rant about Selma. Sorry :)
No problem of course! These are great conversations to be having! it is not my duty to throw myself under the bus, to fuck myself over, simply because I enjoy privileges others don't. Which I agree. I am no good, to myself, to society, or to the causes I support, if I allow the system to beat me up simply because it beats up others and I disagree with that violence.
I'm interested in white privilege and white guilt. I try to be as educated and aware of racial issues and systematic oppression and racism today as I can be without investing huge amounts of time into reading and learning about it. I want to understand how I fit into the puzzle. I know I benefit hugely from white privilege, and surely I have played a part in subtle prejudices that pervade our society. So I take strides to change those things about myself, but I always end up feeling like, "There's so much to be done, and surely white people have a huge role to play in the doing, but what part of this fight is our fight?" I have a few black acquaintances who spend much of their time engaged in dialogues and activities centered on race in America, and they are very, very opinionated and passionate about what white people should and shouldn't say or do, what aspects of the battle white Americans have a right to participate in, etc. And I'm intimidated as hell by them, because I certainly don't want to piss people off or seem like an ignorant, offensive white guy sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong, or asking questions that I'll get bit for, but I also want to be part of the solution. White guilt is a weird and complicated thing. I may have just talked in circles.
On the last bit, I think being aware of being able to overstep your bounds is enough sometimes. I went to an environmental conference called "power shift" last year in pittsburgh. Most of the workshops I chose to go to were about the socio-economic issues that go along with the negative impact of environmental damage; all forms of urban waste disposal are exclusively placed in lower income areas, respiratory disorders are consistently higher in these areas due to the methods of waste disposal and that coal burning power plants and factories are zoned next to these areas. There was another concerning the displacement of native people in Alaska and Canada by fracking. The workshop that had the biggest impact on me though was one in which a panel that had worked to revitalize several through the building of coo unity center like urban garden and youth centers as well as solar gardens to aid residents in lower utility prices. The panel was a mixture of community leaders, who were POC, and outside activists who had come to help with the changes to theses neighborhoods, some white some not. In the discussion with those in attendance problem of privilege and trying to help a community or cause as an outsider came up. The gave the safe answer they gave was that one who is unaffected by the strive can only help in a positive way by helping to facilitate change in the direction the community has decided. After typing that out I don't know how much it relates to what you said but when I heard it it helped me find the line between wanting to help and speaking on something I haven't experienced.