I don't want to be like the typical fake white liberal apologist, but I did some digging in my family tree and unfortunately it appears my great great great great grand father through my maternal line had enslaved about 10 people.
Bums me out and makes feel sick to my stomach.
Don't be a dickhead? Not much you can do to make up for that shit unless you're still getting material gains today from slavery.
Nope we are not even close to rich. Thanks though, Im sure you know that sick feeling you get in your stomach when you find out terrible news.
Been feeling that on and off since I found out.
For better or worse, nothing's changed except for your perception of yourself. Learning this information does not impact the total amount of racism in the world. It could, though - you get to decide what this story means to you and what you do with that meaning.
Sure, I'd feel shitty too but you're doing the right thing by not repeating history.
Being aware of your privilege, and using it (as much as it's possible) to provide safe spaces and material and moral support to oppressed peoples is part of being an active and respectful ally.
Also, learning when to shut up and listen is a huge one that I had to learn through a lot of mistakes.
The best antidote for that kind of malaise is to work against oppression in the here and now.