An In-depth Look at the text: Privilege, Power and Difference written by Allan Johnson

                   

Privilege, Power and Difference

Written by Allan Johnson

                                              

                               Introduction

     Allan Johnson is the author of this book which takes a look at issues surrounding our 'troubling' society'.  These troubles relate to gender/race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and social class.  In the introduction,  Allan Johnson explains his reasoning for writing such an insightful, controversial, and 'eye' opening book which is I believe was meant to change how we treat and view others.  He uses evidence from his own memoirs, teachings, and scientific research to back up his findings. 

     Johnson gives and overview of this topic by explaining that everyone is part of the problem.  "By understanding and acknowledging this, we are beginning to solve the problem."  After reading this quote, it made me think about history and how different groups of people have been wrongfully mistreated.  By opening up one's eyes to this unfair treatment, we are beginning the first step in solving the problem and working towards changing ignorance. Change can happen but we must first understand what we are doing to cause the problem.  

     A term Johnson uses in this introduction that I'd never heard before was "white racism".  Johnson then goes on to explain how these words, along with "racism", and "white" make others in this 'class' very uncomfortable.  However, if we don't acknowledge that it is a 'thing', it (the problem in society), it will never get better.  In order to solve any problem, you first need to identify it, no matter how messy or uncomfortable it is.  This needs to happen in order for a solution to take place.  He goes on to speak about male dominance in our society and how this power spills over to every facet of life:  corporations, government, sports and religion.  

     Human nature is also mentioned in this part and he explains that as humans, we tend to fear things that are unfamiliar, different, or threatening. As a result, if someone looks different, acts different, or believes differently we look down on them.  Treating them like we are better than them.

 

     Johnson writes that we are ALL part of the problem of racism and privilege.  This struck me as being overly bold and harsh. I couldn't wait to continue reading more to see what proof he had to make such a claim.   

                                                      Chapter 1

                                             Rodney King's Question

     This first chapter sets the stage for the situation that happened in 1991 with Rodney King's question:  "Can't we all just get along?". W.E.B Du Bois called this 'the problem of the color line' over a hundred years ago. This question and movement also resinated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who stood up and started the change to end segregation. With all this awareness and unjust, it's crazy to me to think that we are still asking this question today, talking about the problem while groups of people are still being treated unfairly after all this time. 

     This question made by Rodney King was such an age old question.  What is it that makes one race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality look down on others?  What makes one feel like they are better than the other and who determined this? I still feel in today's society we are not all treated equally but we should be.  We all need to get along!  

     In the middle of the chapter, Johnson talks about 'male dominance' and lack of acceptance of the 'gay communities.' I'm unsure when this book was written but can guess it was many years ago. I feel the LGBTQ community is treated with much more acceptance and LOVE for each other today than in the past. This positive change has taken a long time. But I still feel a lot more work need to be done for full acceptance of this group.

     I have a personal connection to this because I have a gay brother who is 57. I remember the day he turned 18 and came 'out' to me and my mother. He was embarrassed and felt like he could not be himself for fear it was taboo. He had to keep it a secret because this, 'being gay', was not the norm of society at the time. It makes my heart happy to see this positive change not only for him, but also for others dealing with this same struggle.

                                                    Chapter 2

                                                We're In Trouble

     This chapter looks at the simplicity of life and human rituals and behaviors. Johnson is right on target when writing about the human species feeling like we need to belong to something bigger and feel acceptance.  He states, "we have a huge capacity to be creative, generous and loving."  I connect to this and feel we are all born with this instinctively.  The problem arises when there are differences;  whether it is between race, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity.  People are treated differently based on what society feels is superior.   There is no choice on our part whether born with the color of your skin or whether we are male or female.  

     How we are born dictates how we are treated. This I believe to be true which is also unbelievably sad!  In the workplace this is also true.  Johnson tells a story of two lawyers working at a law firm.  A new 'white' young lawyer questions a black male entering the office on a Saturday, which unbeknownst to this white, young lawyer is also a lawyer.  This 'white racism' 'raises it's ugly face' when the white male questions the other on his intentions in the building.  How offensive this must have felt to the black lawyer.  Who gave this white man the right to question anyone different than himself?   Johnson questioned if this same situation would have played out if the man entering the building was also white. By looking and studying situations like this and identifying the racism, we are taking the first step towards changing it. 

He goes even further and talks about 'male privileges.'  This is still prevalent in our society and so WRONG!  Woman and minorities have been denied equal treatment for centuries.  This needs to stop today.

                                                      Chapter 3

                                                The Trouble We're In  

     This last chapter we where required to read talks about the need for change and how we need to break the beliefs we inherited as individuals.  Power and privilege need to change in our society.  The start for change starts with you and I.  

     We need to break this cycle that has been passed down for generations.  I like how Johnson states that it isn't our fault for some of our beliefs.  We are a product of our upbringing.  How we think and feel about things isn't something we're born with, it's taught and learned.  We have the ability to change how our thoughts were instilled on us by our up-bring.  Many people have done this so far but many more still need this change to occur. 

     

     The Diversity Wheel was produces by M. Loden and J.Rosener in 1991.  This wheel can be used to map who we are.  The general take away from this exercise for me was that it merrily looks at how we were born; age, gender, physical abilities/qualities, and race. Most of these are impossible to change.  This wheel does not identify our uniqueness, our personalities, what we feel, hope or dream.  

     The last part of the chapter talks about two types of privileges: "unearned entitlements"; feeling safe and valued, and "conferred dominance"; giving one group more power over others.  This belief started with our founding fathers and it is not right!  Our society has changed in many ways but the belief that white men are superior is still prominent today.  It was insightful how Johnson gave the example of a boy who listens to his mother instead of taking risks being called a 'Mama's boy' or the husband that listens to his wife and is subordinate and is called a "hen pecker."   These are insulting comments that show some examples of male dominance.

     Johnson ends this chapter with a bulleted list of statistics of race privileges.  As I read through this long list, I couldn't help but agree.  It's a fact that white males are given more opportunities and privileges than most other groups in our society.  This 'comfort zone' of rules and regulations given to one group and not ALL groups needs to looked at more closely.  We need to name the problem and work towards fixing it!  This system needs to change.  Equality means EVERYONE'S is treated the same.  I agree wholeheartedly!

   

    

                       Three Talking Points:

1. What was the underlying cause in Allan Johnson's personal life to write the book?  Seeing that he is a 'white', middle class, educated male did what overall goal and audience was this book intended for?

2.  Allan Johnson writes that we are not born with these feelings of superiority or entitlement.  How was the viewpoint of the people that raised him?  Did they treat everyone equal?  If not, how did Allan desensitize himself and retrain his own 'brain'? 

3.  I know that this we were only required to read the first three chapters, does Mr. Johnson give any advice or solutions for changing how power, privileges, and differences can be 'equalized'?