In the reading Privilege, Power, and Difference it really made me think about privilege and how it shows up in our everyday lives. One thing that really stood out to me was Johnson's point that our differences are not actually the problem. The real issue is that society places more value, and opportunities on certain groups over others. Due to society's treatment it really reinforced that inequality isn't just about individual choices, it's also about the systems that have been in place for a long time.
Another point that stuck with me was how privilege can be invisible to the people who have it. The quote “that privilege is often unrecognized due to a "luxury of obliviousness" or "epistemic privilege," Johnson explains that many people don't recognize their own advantages because they've always seen them as normal. I think this is something I reflected heavily on being a biracial person who can be white passing. Understanding the privileges I have compared to other biracial people who are not white passing. It reminded me that learning about privilege requires people to be open minded, as well as people need to be able to self-reflect in order to fully grasp privilege.
The last talking point for me was Johnson's point that we can't solve problems if we're afraid to talk about them. He argues that words like privilege, racism, and sexism often make people uncomfortable, but avoiding those conversations only allows inequality to continue. It is SO important to have uncomfortable conversations, this is how we can learn. If we do not say what is wrong, how can we change it? It is like the saying “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Argument Statement:
Allan G. Johnson argues that inequality isn't caused by our differences but by systems of privilege and power that give some groups more advantages than others. He believes that recognizing how these systems work and understanding our own role within them is the first step toward creating real and lasting social change.
Allan G. Johnson argues that inequality isn't caused by our differences but by systems of privilege and power that give some groups more advantages than others. He believes that recognizing how these systems work and understanding our own role within them is the first step toward creating real and lasting social change.
Hi Maya! Thanks for the post! I love your Great Gatsby meme. That's so poignant. I also love how you open with Johnson's argument that it's not people's differences that are the problem, but how people feel about those differences. He said something similar about our sense of the unknown. We're not actually afraid of the unknown, but were afraid of how we feel about the unknown. There's a layer of emotion that's baked into the logic here that's difficult to abstract from the ideas themselves.
ReplyDeleteHi Maya!! I totally agree with your talking points. One of my core beliefs is that in order to grow we must get uncomfortable. What you wrote led me to reflect on the take a stand activity that we did in class. I got the feeling that many were uncomfortable, however, I do feel that we all grew from the experience. I wonder if you agree!
ReplyDeleteLove your point about privilege being difficult to spot when you're so used to it. In my experience, I find that a lot of men struggle to spot the privilege they gain from the patriarchy because much of it is stuff they DON'T have to do (wear makeup, remove body hair, etc.) so they don't even realize the pressures women are forced to reckon with daily.
ReplyDeleteI relate to you on being someone that is white presenting/white passing. I am Salvadoran, but I am someone who does not look like the typical image that people hold of Salvadorans. It is important for us to recognize our own privileges and how that can make our experiences and daily lives from others in our communities. Overall, I loved your response :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great analysis of the text and I felt pulled to many of the themes you described. It was powerful to read your reflection on being white passing and how it ties into this text.
ReplyDeleteHi Maya! I like your first point. I also think Johnson makes an important distinction when he says that we are actually not afraid of differences and we actually drawn to them (being nosey of course 😂). But what the problem really is, is what we think we already know about people based on those differences. Those assumptions and stereotypes are what allow systems of inequality to continue. Your point really highlights that the issue isn't our differences themselves, but the value society places on certain groups over others.
ReplyDeleteI love your honesty and critical reflections. I think what you mentioned about Johnson explaining that many people don't recognize their own advantages is so important! Even while people might be aware of their privilege, they might not have any desire to acknowledge it/push for change because of the ways it benefits them.
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