Allan G. Johnson, Privilege, Power, and Difference
Argument
Allan G. Johnson is arguing that oppression is prevalent in American society and aims to alter how individuals think about privilege to incite action, primarily focusing on gender, race, and social class. He explains how raising awareness of these privileges is imperative, as those with privilege have the power to work towards fixing the system. Some of his main points discuss the importance of language, division in America, different types of privileges, and why privilege is often overlooked by those who have it. Regarding language, Johnson believes it’s a disservice to avoid relevant terms to protect the comfort of the listener when exploring privilege. Instead, he maintains that these words must be reclaimed and restored to their intended meaning to prevent individuals from taking these discussions as personal attacks or as blame for a system they were born into. Another point he discusses is America's division, explaining how our society teaches us to fear what is unfamiliar or different and, in this way, constructs a divide among its people, placing them into categories with determined societal value dictated by those at the top. An example he provides is the ever-changing labels for race, with Irish individuals throughout history being considered inferior as a non-white race, despite their shared complexion, reflecting how the categorization of race is constructed, arbitrarily determined by dominant groups with the cultural authority to do so. Continuing, Johnson defines two types of privileges, explaining how “unearned entitlements”, refering to things all people should have, become the first type of privilege, “unearned advantages,” when restricted to certain groups. The second type, which he explains is harder to remove, “conferred dominance,” happens when one group is given power over another, such as the cultural assumption that men dominate women. His last point discusses why those with privilege do not recognize it, explaining that people often compare themselves to others within their reference group, which is why they do not feel privileged. However, this does not mean the privilege is non-existent, and recognizing this does not mean you yourself are an oppressive person.
Reflection
From a lower to middle-class family, I understand the sensitivity to the label “privileged” as my parents had to work incredibly hard and make many sacrifices to get to where they are now, and that label often feels like it diminishes the value of what they were able to accomplish. However, the author did a good job explaining how having better odds in certain aspects of life does not equate to having an easy life or having everything handed to you. I also agree with the author that the people of America are incredibly divided. Fanned by the media and politics, this division keeps us busy pointing fingers at each other rather than uniting together and pointing towards those in positions to make real change. With this much contention, I really do wish we could all just get along.
How teachers can work towards change:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_teachers_can_reduce_implicit_bias
Hi Faith! We seemed to touch upon similar points, but I could not help notice that you touched upon Irish folk and how, at one time, they were seen as "inferior" and a "non-white" race. Now, they practically dominate society, especially New England. I know this because I went to an all-girls' private Catholic high school in Newton, MA, where the population was predominantly Irish and white. However, I have seen more Haitian-Americans and Koreans than in my small hometown of Medfield, Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to the Irish, the same was true for Italians. In the 1970's, my Italian-born father and his family uprooted their life to America -- to the North End of Boston, to be exact. Even then, they encountered racism and classicism. Despite having similar complexions to those who were around them, Irish and Italians were excluded from the "white" category. This reminds me of the whole "in" and "out" system in order to maintain what's socially acceptable, in addition to systemic division.
Hi Faith,
ReplyDeleteI really resonate with your reflection here. At first when I began reading this piece, I felt a little offended, or as if I was being accused of something. But that is why I found Johnson's points to be so interesting and gained a new perspective. By the end of the reading, I too agree that we need to be able to confront the issues of difference in society and how privilege plays a role to change the culture.
You also mentioned his concept of conferred dominance which stood out to me. I agree it is a much deeper sense of power that is harder to remove due to the power imbalance among groups. I think the idea of double standards is worth mentioning here, as he mentions the example of "Daddy's Girl" being seen as cute and socially acceptable, but the same is not true for the term "Momma's Boy."
Hi! I enjoyed your reflection. As you noted, being a part of a privileged group is always at the expense of another and unless this group acts on this 'problem,' nothing will change in the world.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how clearly you broke down Johnson’s main arguments, especially the part about language and why avoiding certain terms actually makes these conversations harder instead of easier. Your explanation of unearned entitlements versus conferred dominance helped make those ideas easier to understand.
ReplyDeleteI also related to your reflection about coming from a lower to middle class background and how the word “privileged” can feel uncomfortable or dismissive of hard work.
Thank you for your argument/reflection. This really opened my eyes to ow privilege plays a part in peoples lives. I honestly never put much thought into it… I guess that is my privilege. I also think I worked hard to get where I am and continue to have to work hard so I dont want that to be discounted
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