The Elephant in the room
Allan Johnson was a renowned American Sociologist and writer he was best known for writing about issues related to privilege, power, and social differences “the elephant in the room” He wrote about his own life as a white man, the privileges. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about including myself, afraid to insult someone, hurt them, or misunderstand.
When I first began reading I was upset, and offended by the term “white privilege” it sounds as if because I am white my life is easy or everything is handed to me. I feel when I hear white privilege it takes away or discredits all the hard work it took to get where I am in my life. As I continued to read I could see his point on a few things. As a woman in the medical field/ school system I have found parents would rather listen to our male principal say the same thing I say but listen to him over females, which is insulting. I'm sure it's the same with race, culture, gender, sexuality.
Three points
1. Privilege is not something that individuals choose or can be blamed for, but it is a system of advantages that benefits certain groups over others in society others in society.
2. Power dynamics and social inequality are deeply ingrained in our institutions and everyday interactions, perpetuating privilege and maintaining the status quo.
3. Achieving true equality requires acknowledging and challenging our own privilege, actively working to dismantle oppressive systems, and promoting inclusivity and justice for all.
Allan G. Johnson provides a valuable analysis of privilege as a systemic issue that perpetuates inequality. Johnson emphasizes that privilege is not a personal choice, but rather a system of advantages that benefits certain groups over others based on their social identities. He highlights the importance of recognizing privilege as a contextual and intersecting phenomenon and encourages individuals to reflect on their own privilege and use it to challenge systemic inequalities. By understanding and confronting privilege, individuals can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.
The diagram in chapter 3 the diversity wheel, I agree with Allan Johnson it doesn't say much about the individual but more about the social reality that shapes our life. I tried imagining if I woke up a different race or gender would my life be different such as my career, probably would be different. I know while in nursing school we had one male and he always got a comment from someone about him being a male nurse. We had older women in the hospital refuse to let him care for them due to his gender. I have also seen older women not allow women of color to care for them, so yes I believe my life/career would be different.
Hi Kelly! I appreciate your honesty with saying how you feel about the phrase "white privilege" and I do agree, that sometimes it can feel discrediting, like we didn't have any struggles on our own. But I also feel like that is what is these chapters are really emphasizing. Words like these have such negative connotations to them so we just don't say them. But these are topics that we all need to discuss, no matter what our feelings may be on them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree its something most people do not want to talk about with each other or don't feel comfortable talking about but we should.
DeleteHi Kelly, Thank you for sharing your post with the class. I enjoyed reading it and I appreciate your honesty as well. I'm glad you referenced the Diversity Wheel that was incorporated in our readings. I felt that this was a great tool that Johnson referenced to in his writing so that individuals could imagine a different type of reality. We all have a lot of work ahead of us to make serious changes in our world I like how you expressed how achieving true equality requires acknowledging and challenging our own privilege. Nice job with your post!
ReplyDeleteHello Kelly, I enjoyed reading your blog post and agree with many of your points. I also like that you referenced the diversity wheel in the reading, I thought it was an interesting exercise that really open up for a good discussion. It is interesting how any shift in the diversity wheel can change how you are perceived.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this blog post- I agree with your statements about privilege not being a personal choice or actions. I especially love your Disney meme with Pocahontas and John Smith. I feel that many people feel ashamed or defensive by others pointing out privilege. The point is not to encite shame but to spread awareness so that we can move forward, collectively.