The Savior Complex

Brace yourselves, this is a heavy topic that will hopefully spark reflection!!!! I contemplated writing a post on this for quite sometime, I contemplated because this is a very sensitive topic and I do not want to upset anyone, but with that I promised myself and readers of this blog that I would be real. With transparency comes heavy topics, and with that comes reflection and reevaluation. This is one of many things I am extremely passionate about educating others on and working at breaking the cycle of everyday, with that I present to you…THE SAVIOR COMPLEX!

I was raised by my parents to bring awareness and keep in mind the toxic social construct, especially since 2008, when the adoption of my siblings was underway. Often,  something like an adoption can be communicated the wrong way and my parents armed us with the knowledge to avoid the complex from childhood on.

The savior complex is a title given to mindsets and intentions of people who subconsciously view themselves as “above” others due to but not limited to the difference of race, tradition, ethnicity, region and or wealth. It is and has always been natural for groups of people to view themselves as more powerful because of positions of power and privilege, but this is a toxic social construct that is extremely offensive and demeaning to other members of the human race. It is not just a mindset in the western world but across the globe. I am reading a book titled Blue Clay People by  William Powers, a memoir  of the 14 year war in Liberia he states;  “we as humans are in an early state of our development, we are still tribalistic and are unable to see the similarities between others outside our own family” WOW. We are only for a moment able to view differences as beautiful but not long term hence why many services are temporary. 

There are obvious differences between groups of people, one is not superior above the other and this you already know BUT many know this and subconsciously act in a way that is labelled as the savior complex. It is naturally looking down and taking shallow pity on another for not sharing the same wealth or lifestyle. This is then  acted upon through various formal and informal services, to push known wealth and lifestyles onto  groups of people that have survived centuries in different ways. The pressure of western wealth and tradition is just one example of a world that communicates to the rest that  it’s the best and only way of survival, disregarding any other tradition, religion, values and morals because they are not the same. 

There is no doubt lack of access to the most basic resources and there are various poverties in the world that need immediate and direct attention, but this is present in all communities and  groups of people, not just those of developing countries or a specific race. For example. to assume that a school boy in Milwaukee or a young girl in Ghana are uneducated, and should be pitied is an example of an uneducated assumption. I see different levels of poverty and wealth everyday, the difference Ghana but I also see it every day in United States or during various travels, it is all around us and not limited to a certain area because of certain identifiers. There is a need for empathy in this world and the understanding of others, no matter the situation or location. To naturally assume a position of power by “speaking and saving those who cannot for themselves” may not be the best mindset. Instead, we are  not listening or there is too much noise for people to be heard. Maybe we are too shouting into grabbing the microphone and subconsciously refusing to provide it to others. It has been said that the "best solutions come from the people directly affected by the issue" I think this is an incredibly powerful and admirable statement because, pressing and assuming a lifestyle is best for people is extremely harmful and shallow. William Powers also states that  uneducated service work of trying to temporarily save others, does more harm than good. "You may be feeding the hungry but also feeding the rebels”.

This common complex can be shifted by change in conversation, instead of using pity and looking down on a group of people, avoid commending others for work by saying things like  “They are so lucky to have you” or “You are changing their lives” because you are naturally assuming that without the presence, a certain group of people is unable to function or live a successful life without a lifestyle similar to your own. I came up with a short list of how to shift this mindset that is too often assumed:

1. Focus on the incredible differences that create a world full of different traditions, morals and values but also focus on what may make you similar. Don’t compare and belittle others because groups of humans have adapted, survived and thrived in completely different situations than your own for thousands of years; assumptions after 10 minutes of conversation will not change deeply rooted culture and traditions nor should it. 

2. Listen; do not grab the microphone and point fingers. Don’t make it about you, listen and let the issues, realities and struggles be heard. They may make you uncomfortable because it is not a reality you live every day, so it is not your place to take away the power of others, that is the fast track of more hurt than help. 

3. Check your social media usage; I focus on being EXTREMELY careful about my photo opportunities, and never take photos without permission . Sometimes it can be portrayed that photos are taken to prove that a difference is being made or that a certain presence is changing the life of others, a way to seek approval from the distant world. Use it to highlight and appreciate others not to gawk and compare and be viewed as a savior. I went to Wusuta this weekend, it’s the village five hours north that my host mother grew up in. It was incredible and I wanted to capture and appreciate it months from now, but it wasn’t fair to see their lifestyle as a photo opportunity, I was a visitor. In fact, I was sitting with a woman during the gathering and discussing my time in Ghana, she was visiting from Nigeria and joked that now I was in the village I needed to “take photos like all white visitors to show America my time in the village”. It was already assumed that I would need to report back my findings. Again later as a little girl napped on my lap someone said “now you can tell everyone you have held and African baby” This complex is so deeply rooted we need to try our hardest to shift the pattern that situations are not just for show.

4. Keep a centered, balanced mindset of solidarity. Replace the mindset of assuming a population being “served” cannot survive without your contributions being offered with a supportive, educated, and listening role for the time spent.  

There is not one “right” lifestyle. What we see as a reality is not what others see so why would we project it as necessary and only way of survival? View humans as equal, and when the opportunity presents itself, to listen, support and fight along side others for change, DO IT. This world needs bravery, empathy and unconditional love but with that comes the revaluation of how we view and approach it. Take this and coexist, understanding  all walks of life so together we can build a balanced mindset,  working towards fighting poverty and injustice together without shallow intentions.

You survived this heavy topic!!!  I am so glad and appreciative you read this post, have a fantastic week wherever you are, I will send back a little sunshine per usual!

Goodnight from Ghana! xoxo  Corrinne Ruth