White Savior Complex and Development

This episode of Moral Dilemma explores white savior complex and its relationship with development and humanitarian work. As a Syrian-American Development Practice MPA student at Columbia, host Sarah Khalbuss feels a true moral dilemma about going abroad as a white passing American. She problematizes the lack of discussion on privilege, white saviorism, and the history of development, and seeks answers from American colleagues and friends in the field. Are we all white saviors? How do we acknowledge our privilege and still make a difference? Why aren’t we having these discussions in our classes?