FNED 546 Weekly Blog Assignment #1 - Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson
QUOTES
The author takes great care to approach the subject of
privilege in America gently. It’s the kind of incendiary topic that tends to
make the oppressed angry and the privileged incredulous. I found this quote to
sum the concept up clearly and concisely:
“To be white in America
means not having to think about it.” We could say the same thing about maleness
or heterosexuality or any other basis for privilege. Page 25
I am all of those things, but
I never really looked at myself as the sum of my labels before. I think that’s
the point of the exercise though – I like to think I’m kind, thoughtful, funny,
and trustworthy but you wouldn’t know any of that just by looking at me. That’s
a key part of how privilege works – it’s not at all about who I am, but what I
look like, and the privilege or oppression that “deserves.”
There’s one part of the reading that I think has aged poorly
(remember the book was initially published in 2001, and the most-current third
edition in 2017). On Page 41, Johnson wrote:
“The complexity of systems of privilege makes it
possible, or course, for men to experience oppression if they happen to be people
of color, or gay, or in a lower social class, but not because they are male. In
the same way, whites can experience oppression as women, homosexuals, or
members of a lower social class, but not because they are white.” Page 41
This is somewhat contradicted by a rise in “reverse discrimination” lawsuits, with a significant ruling from the Supreme Court on June 5th, 2025:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/06/05/reverse-discrimination-lawsuits-wave/84050832007/
One point I think would be interesting for in-class
discussion stems from this text on page 21:
“When she (an African woman) comes to the United States,
however, where privilege is organized according to race, suddenly she becomes
black because people assign her to a social category that bears that name, and
they treat her differently as a result.” Page 21
I completely agree that privilege works against both women
and people of color in the United States (and elsewhere I’m sure) but is it
fair to assume that ALL people will treat this woman differently because of the
color of her skin?
Hello Mark
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. There are some great quotes from the reading. Your post made me deep dive into the diversity wheel more. I shared another wheel that gave even more options to expand what my version of me was. Your question for discussion is pretty valid. Why wouldn't they treat this woman the same? Again i think the assumption would play a role in why things happen.
Your linked wheel is FAR more comprehensive - I got a little dizzy looking at it!
DeleteThank you Mark! I was looking at the quote you referenced "...she she becomes black because people assign her to a social category that bears that name, and they treat her differently as a result.” We categorize people in our society all the time. When we go to the doctor, fill out forms, register for school... there are always questions about ones demographics. Does this impact how people are treated?
ReplyDelete