Allan G. Johnson in “What Can We Do?” in Privilege, Power, and Difference discusses recognizing the problem of privilege, myths such as an unchanging world and Gandhi’s paradox, as well as stubborn ounces to share the multiple ways society can proceed in changing privilege. The problem of privilege belongs to society, rather than a few. Society must overcome myths by getting rid of the thought that the world will never change, because change will always occur. Additionally, Gandhi’s Paradox, also known as the myth of having no effect must also cease since everything only exists temporarily, and actions do and do not matter variously. Lastly, society must acknowledge that privilege and oppression exists, pay attention, learn to listen, and do something. Johnson, Allan G. “What Can We do?” Privilege, Power, and Difference, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2006, pp. 125-153. Critical Review …show more content…
Johnson contradicts himself through his description of individuals and advices for the readers. First, Johnson states that individuals must understand where their path leads to in order to cease privilege (Johnson 127). However, he later contradicts himself by claiming the individuals must be “willing to travel without knowing” where the path leads to (Johnson 132). Additionally, Johnson claims in one part that the readers do not have to deal with everything or put impossible tasks such as changing society and themselves (Johnson 152). The previous statement would have been have been a reassuring statement to readers; however, one must remember that Johnson spent the whole book telling readers to go out and change themselves as well as society for the
“I repeatedly forgot each of the realizations on this list until I wrote it down. For me, white privilege has turned out to be an elusive and fugitive subject. The pressure to avoid it is great, for in facing it I must give up the myth of meritocracy. If these things are true, this is not such a free country; one’s life is not what one makes it; many doors open for certain people through no virtues of their own.”
Today in the United States of America people are both privileged and oppressed based on their diversity markers and social locations. These advantages and disadvantages are put in place by the people whom are in power, or otherwise known as the government and other leading officials. This is a major issue in today’s society that often tends to be masked by the many other issues within the country as well as by the privileged people. Many people who experience privilege tend to believe that privilege and oppression do not exist and that everyone has equal opportunity, but that is not the case privilege and oppression does exist and it can be seen every day in society. After a careful review of Dena Samuel’s “Matrix Model of Oppression and Privilege” I identified myself as rather privileged due to my social and diversity locations on her model.
In today’s society, when the word “privilege” is associated with someone, it is often seen as something negative and people tend to ignore and turn away from the word in fear of receiving accusations. In Roxane Gay’s “Peculiar Benefits”, an excerpt from her book Bad Feminist, she argues that people should accept and acknowledge the privileges they hold. Gay’s argument is built based on her personal experience, citing cultural critics/other people, and emotionally appealing to her audience.
Peggy McIntosh wrote this article to identify how her white privilege effects her life. Each statement is written as a privilege that Ms. McIntosh does not need to consider or fear as a white woman. From financial credibility to national heritage, this article makes a valid point regarding the way white people can be arrogant and naïve when the same treatment is not being given to their neighbors, coworkers, and peers. There can be two responses when reading this. The first would be a person of color. They will appreciate the attempt at realization of what white people take for granted. The second would be the reality that smacks the white people in the face when they realize how true all 50 statements are. Once this begins to sink in, many will start to broaden their competence realizing the unfair treatment of the people in this world. Moving down the timeline, we can see how the acknowledgement can mend broken relationships. Owning the reality and doing something to change it can give the people of different races the treatment they deserve (McIntosh,
In addition, to understand the obstacles for justice that African American constantly face. President Johnson tries to influence the citizens appealing to the people’s emotions and also stating facts. In the passage it states, “ It really rests on his right to be treated as a man equal in opportunity to all others...and that he shall share in freedom, he shall choose his leaders.” In that quote he stated that he felt as if African Americans should be treated fairly and he tried to connect to their emotions and gives valid points. In addition, the president tries to make the reader understand that blacks won’t give up no matter what obstacles are thrown in their way my stating, “every device of which human ingenuity is capable has been used to deny this right, negro citizen may go to register only to be told the day is wrong, or they are an hour late or maybe even given a test”(paragraph 18). This quote shows that the government tried every way to keep African Americans from voting and it did not work because they will go through that every time until they get their right to
Malcolm X, an African American Muslim minster and human rights activist, once said “We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.” According to Malcolm X, everyone on the earth has a right to be called a human being and fit into the category of a human being; no matter if they are young, old, disabled or incompetent. Yet if we were to look back on our past and cannot seem to count how many times these so called human beings have treated others who share the same characteristics of human beings as lesser creatures. It becomes as if in order to have some form of equality, there must always be one group of people that is treated as inferior. According to Francis Fukuyama, author of “Human Dignity”, if we were to live by his idea of Factor X, the world would be a more equal place.
Innocent members of the community such as Scout Finch prove that there are other mindsets to be taken. “ ‘I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks’ ” (Lee 304). Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta both stood up very publicly and deliberately for their convictions, but even ordinary heroes such as Rosa Parks can spark social revolution. “ ‘I was just plain tired, and my feet hurt.’ ” So she sat there, refusing to get up” (King 3). Social justice is not elusive to everyone, but in cases like the one portrayed in “American Tragedy” differentiation between race and class still affect the minds of prominent members of civilization. In the end, true civic equality is not obtainable for everyone because of age-old practices that encourage racial segregation, communal fear to adjust comfortable habits, and because it would be necessary for all people to take part in such an undertaking, which is neither realistic nor justifiable. Hope for such a day when differentiation and prejudice are no longer prominent in society’s issues is shown in small acts of defiance everyday, by exhibiting respect for all when it is not offered. “She would quickly subordinate her own desires to those of the family or the community, because she knew cooperation was the only way to survive” (Houston
In the first paragraph, Johnson displays thoughtfulness of the mother’s feelings, describing the hope she has in him as a “species of happiness” and then gently and gradually disappoints her, saying her hope will result in “disappointment” which is why it is “dangerous to indulge.” However, in the second paragraph an accusatory tone is effectively conveyed by drawing attention to how absurd the mother’s demand is by repeating how the mother wants him to “solicit” the “great” archbishop and ask him to fulfill a favor to a stranger. Johnson employs a sensitive tone in the beginning paragraph followed immediately by a accusatory tone in the second paragraph in order to accommodate various responses to his letter. This shift in tone between paragraphs distances Johnson from the blame of his denial, and gradually places the fault on the
This power keeps the behavior of the oppressed well within the set guidelines of the oppressor (Freire, 2000, pg. 47). Critical Race Theory outlines this system of oppression as it relates to white and non-white races. By using the critical race theory coupled with the system of oppression described by Freire (2000), I propose that within the system of oppression, the oppressor must keep its own members in line with the prescribed guidelines by reinforcing the social norms from birth. Freire (2000) suggest that the interest of the oppressors lie in “changing the consciousness of the oppressed not the system” (pg.34). Identifying as white, therefore, starts at birth when members of the white class work to reinforce social norms that began with our founding fathers at Plymouth Rock. This long history of white privilege was taught to me and I continue to teach it to my children. As an educator of white affluent high school students, I believe we provide college and career counseling based on this white privilege system of oppression as well. Here, I journey even closer to unraveling the myth of white privilege as I encounter the intersection of an affluent white student choosing a career after high
... Members of the dominant groups are taught not to see privilege. Being white in the United States opens doors to whether or not we approve of the way we have been granted dominance. McIntosh, pg. 78, p. 78. 5-6) Johnson compares social systems to Monopoly.
With all of these facts, the author tries to prove that racial differences and privileges appear exaggerated and unrealistic. The privileged and less privileged exist at all levels of society. Duke wants white people to understand that they are in the same position as all other races. The awareness of “white privilege” is only a fallacy that causes feel of guilt without foundation.
Throughout history, leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Susan B. Anthony, have helped to bring equitable balance to mankind. Individuals who represent opposing views mold and change the course of history; without such risk takers, life may never progress for the good of humanity. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1994.
I was aware of these oppressions and have often times struggled with what I can do individually to work towards alleviating these oppressions. The Next Steps portion of the chapter on racism really outlined methods of actions that could be applied to all forms of oppression. One method entitled “FLEXing Cross- cultural Communications,” outlines productive communication, depersonalization, and open- mindedness when it comes to understanding and practicing competency. This model serves as a tool to motivate action to those form other cultures in ways that in the end everyone can
We live in a world full of many societal issues. The aspects that determine whether one will have a successful or unsuccessful life is due to their characteristics such as race, gender, and social status. In the book Is Everyone Really Equal, Ozlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo’s exigence is to express the following issues and to encourage the reader to work upon changing the world through social injustice, oppression, power, and community.