Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G Johnson

The author writes "we are, both individually and collectively, stuck in a kind of paralysis that perpetuates the trouble and its human consequences."(intro vii).  Well that is an awful lot to deal with, the weight of mankinds problems lay heavely on my shoulders and we as a society contribute daily to the plights of others.  The article and the author for the matter, did not sit well with me at first, but I wanted to read the entire article before judgement.  I can honestly say that I don't agree.  I got the sense that he was apologizing for how he was born or what he was born into, white, male, hetrosexual, middle class.  The whole article seemed to me to have this sense of "I'm so sorry that I'm privledged, and you're not".  Why should one apologize, unless you are overtly prejudiced or flaunting your priviledge.  We all know that priviledge exists, its' what makes us "us".  It exists in the majority of societies, from democracy, to commuism to socialism. And I'm not saying that its right or fair, I'm merely stating that I won't apologize or fell guilty for being born to 2 incredibly hard working, white, hetrosexual, middle class parents.  Or that now I'm a label, white, hetrosexual, middle class female.

   "Can't we all just get along" (Rodney King, pg.1) Simply put, no.  Since the beginning of time their has been a heirarchy with more priviledge and power than the majority of the society. How can we change something that has been around since the time of the cavemen.  Do I believe things should change and be more fair, have more opportunities open up for the less priviledged, yes I do.  And I hope in my small way (in the scheme of the universe) that I'm perputuating change and equality.    The author, writing about African Americans "but they soon discovered, and they learn anew every day, that nothing seems to protect them from their vulnerability to white racism".  I disagree.  I think society has come a long way and the divide is much narrower.  Their are many many successful African Americans who have succeeded, and who can "measure up" to whites.  This world we live in was created and has been ruled by rich, white, upper class men since the beginning of time.  Or in the case where white men don't exist, upper class, powerful men.  I at times feel we as a society have become too politically correct.  That we go overboard to help those who we perceive cannot help themselves.  I can attest that when my grandfather came over from Italy, not knowing how to read and write, no only handed him anything.  He scraped and worked his but off to get almost nothing in return.  He was part of the hated class.  "no wop need apply", but he survived and prospered.  He managed in time when no wanted to get to know him or help him out.  So this notion that we are perputating the problems of society is way over the top. 

   "We are prisoners to something, but its closer to our own making than we realize.  And we, therefore, are far from helpless to change it and ourselves"(pg.4)  Prisoners to something - we are enslaved to something we don't even know.  People are afraid of the truth as the author suggests, we don't know how to talk about the issuses (again too "pc"), too sensitive.  Does this change need to start from the top down, because if it does, the change that we need to make to ensure that our future won't be worse, will never happen.  The "priviledged" don't want to lose their status or "label".  Thats what the US has become, several different labels, some very expensive, and some discount.  Its not our inability as a race or society to change things, its our fear.  The author is striking fear in people when he writes "it is a trouble that shows up everywhere and touches every life in one way or another"(p.9)  There is no escape, however thick the denial.  With that attitude, no one will venture to change.  Discrimination permeates every crevice of society, should something be done, yes.  Time has changed some levels of this discrimination and in time hopefully more and more people can join and enjoy the priviledged group, but it will take time.  Maybe it starts within our classrooms, or at home, but it is a very long and difficult process that we all need to be a part of