Blog assignment number one: By Dakota Amaral
Privilege Power and Difference by Alan Johnson
Quotes
In the short book titled Privilege Power and Difference by Alan Johnson he solely focuses on the topic of surrounding issues in our society relating to gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and social class. He educates his readers on what each topic is about and how it is a problem in our world, and that we need to fix the problem in order to stop it from going on to the next generation. Johnson writes this book to help readers understand privilege and power without guilt or a feeling of defensiveness but to encourage them to take responsibility and be part of change. Throughout this book there were a couple of quotes I picked out that really stood out to me. In particular what Johnson introduced Rodney King and how he suffered a brutal beating from the police, King made a stamen that struck a large impact on society, "Can't we all just get along" (Page one). This statement is something I have always thought about when the time is right, because the matter of the fact is, can't we just all get along. The simple answer to that question is no because at the end of the day like Johnson had pointed out, someone always has to be on top and think they are right. These types of people no matter the gender, race, sexual orientation, are the reason we can't get along and the reason the problems we have in society will never be fixed. People are just so strongly opinionated or have a problem with being nice to others regales of the situation, but if roles were reversed then maybe they would think differently and want to be treated with kindness and respect. Later on in the reading Johnson mentions going out to eat with his African American female friend and they were planning a class together. While he was sitting there, he began to feel nervous abut the topic and wanted to clear the air, but felt it would be a risky conversation. Johnson is a white straight male while his friend is an African American woman and they face incredibly different challenges each day. Johnson explains, "The problem is that in the world as it is, huge issues involving race and gender shape her life and mine in dramatically different ways" (page 8). After reading this statement, is began to sit in for me. I go out into the world as a while young women and I don't have to think that I am white. On the other hand, in Johnson friend case, she has to go out in the world everyday and think that she is an African American woman and everything and anything she does can easily be judged. She has to worry about getting from point A to point B due to the people in our society. Thinking about how different our lives are makes me want to be apart of the change and fix the problem. One last statement Johnson made that led me to put this in my blog is when he mentions, "Talking about power and privilege isn't easy, which is why people rarely do it" (Page 10). Johnson explains that privilege is embedded into society, yet many people struggle to acknowledge it. Instead of addressing privilege and power head on, many choose to deny, feel guilty, or react in a defensive manner. Which then causes meaningful conversation about society to be difficult and left un talked about. He writes this book to encourage his readers to be open and honest to themselves about privilege and power and that it's not about personal blame but understanding the problem in society. If we engage in these tough conversations it will give us a chance to break the cycle of inequality and work toward a better and justified society.
(Understanding power and privilege)
Hi Dakota! I like what you said about how meaningful conversations about society can be difficult and left un talked about. If we don't have these difficult conversations when the opportunity arises with the younger generations, it could further delay our general goal of becoming an accepting society.
ReplyDeleteHi Dakota! I agree that the statement made by Rodney King, "can't we just get along?" is very impactful and thought provoking. It really makes one wonder, what is so different about us as a whole, that makes it so difficult to be equals and to treat each other with kindness and respect? It brings up the question of why did this system of oppression and privilege begin and how will we make a change?
ReplyDeleteHello. I found your last quote very interesting regarding how people don't want to talk about power and privilege because it isn't an easy conversation for people to start or have. This reminds me of something I learned in FNED 101 when parents stop their children from asking questions about people that are different than them because parents don't think it is appropriate to ask or they just don't know what to say to their children because they weren't taught about others that are different than them.
ReplyDeleteHi Dakota, I felt similarly to you after reading the quote you included from page 8. I am able to go about the world without thinking about the color of my skin and this is something I kept in mind throughout the reading. I like that you have included and connected Johnson's own experience with feeling uncomfortable about these topics and his reasoning for why it is so important to have these conversations.
ReplyDeleteHi Dakota! I agree why can't we all just get along? We are all people and out differences should make us unique not turn on one another.
ReplyDeleteHi Dakota! I find your post to be very interesting. Similarly, after reading this text and letting it sink in I had some of the same realizations you did. Although I do have to think about the color of my skin and my race, there are other aspects and groups that I belong to that I don't have to think about. For example when I go out I don't have to think about the fact that I am straight or Christian or able-bodied because they are accepted and valued in our society. However, for others who don't identify with these categories they face a harsh reality where not being part of these groups mean they are treated differently.
ReplyDelete