Allan G. Johnson, Privilege, Power, and Difference
The author argues that privilege exists in American society, that there’s no way to avoid it, and the best way to deal with it is to understand by not being afraid to talk about it. This is how things can begin to change.
The author, who enjoys the privileges of being white, male, and heterosexual, feels that these were attributed to him by society, without having done anything to deserve it. Society prizes these attributes without question. There’s no way to avoid it. And because some groups are privileged for these and other attributes, it automatically means that the groups that lack them are oppressed by that same society. Privilege comes at other people’s expense.
The author quotes Rodney King’s famous words, “Can’t we all just get along?” There’s no reason why we shouldn’t. After all, little children get along. It’s not natural to be pitted against one another, the author argues.
The subject of privilege is an uncomfortable one, especially for the people who enjoy it. They feel uncomfortable when confronted with the issue and feel they are being blamed. After all, it’s not their fault. For example, the privileged upper classes see poverty as people’s own doing. But the author argues that while it may not be the fault of the privileged, they are part of the problem and should be part of the solution. Talk about it! Understand it! He insists. The people with privilege have to be part of the solution because the groups without it don’t have the power to do it alone.
The author argues that privilege exists in American society, that there’s no way to avoid it, and the best way to deal with it is to understand by not being afraid to talk about it. This is how things can begin to change.
The author, who enjoys the privileges of being white, male, and heterosexual, feels that these were attributed to him by society, without having done anything to deserve it. Society prizes these attributes without question. There’s no way to avoid it. And because some groups are privileged for these and other attributes, it automatically means that the groups that lack them are oppressed by that same society. Privilege comes at other people’s expense.
The author quotes Rodney King’s famous words, “Can’t we all just get along?” There’s no reason why we shouldn’t. After all, little children get along. It’s not natural to be pitted against one another, the author argues.
The subject of privilege is an uncomfortable one, especially for the people who enjoy it. They feel uncomfortable when confronted with the issue and feel they are being blamed. After all, it’s not their fault. For example, the privileged upper classes see poverty as people’s own doing. But the author argues that while it may not be the fault of the privileged, they are part of the problem and should be part of the solution. Talk about it! Understand it! He insists. The people with privilege have to be part of the solution because the groups without it don’t have the power to do it alone.
