Privilege, power, and difference.
Johnson, A. G. (2001).
Mayfield Publishing Company.
"Can't we all just get along" Rodney King (1991)
According to Johnson, the answer is "No. Whether we can't or won't, the simple truth is we don't." (2001, p.2) At our core, we are all alike however people can't help fearing the unfamiliar. We don't need to love or even like each other, we need to work together and share space. (Johnson,2001,p.4). Are we taught not to like each other, is it learned?
Johnson talks about how the language given to racism is part of the problem. The language makes people uncomfortable and defensive. People don't want to talk about sexism, racism, etc as they can be received as accusatory and a generalization of an entire group. I found it interesting and I tend to agree with the comparison Johnson makes to racism as a giant elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about or address (2001, p. 9).
Privilege. This is a loaded word (Johnson, 2001, p.22). According to Johnson my lack of thinking about my privilege is privilege also referred to at the "Luxury of obliviousness". (Johnson,2001, p.24) I understand how this is to be true however am I just lucky because I was born with privilege? This is certainly a longer conversation worth exploring.
Johnson argues that "People's perceptions are difficult to control, for they lend to assume that they can identify characteristics such as race and gender simply by looking at someone". (2001, p.20). In my experience this judging is subconscious behavior. We are all very quick to put people in categories and judge the books by their covers, especially when walking into unfamiliar settings. I think this takes a conscious effort and I have family members that need to be reminded not to do this.
I liked his vision about "a world in which everyone can feel safe and welcomed. Where we are encouraged and rewarded for simply doing our best and valued for it" (Johnson, 2001, p.7.)
