The author Alan Johnson argues and advocates throughout the novel Power, Privilege, and Difference for people across society to recognize their differences and the privileges that come along with them. The piece presents a strong stance on having an honest and unbiased dialogue on recognizing the subconscious privileges and biases in our lives. The ignorance of these differences further instates the cycle of power and oppression within our society. We need to properly address using real and raw terms because we can not hide under smoke and mirrors when confronting real problems in the system of oppression that plague our society.
This further connects to S.C.W.A.A.M.P and the categories of privilege that are active within our society. The privileges of straightness, Christianity, whiteness, Americanness, able-bodiedness, maleness, and property ownership help create systems of equality that are hard to overcome within our society. Johnson tries to convey that people with these privileges are ignorant to those without them. By owning up to them and calling our behavior for what it is whether subconscious or not (sexist, homophobic, racist, etc.) we can create a significant change within our society that will allow us to start to fix the problems existing in our society that exist because of our privilege.
Essentially, Johnson’s main point is that we as a society need to accept our privileges (on the spectrum of S.C.W.A.A.M.P) and the difference in opportunities and power they have in our lives. It can be intimidating and uncomfortable to accept the fact that we are contributing to cycles of oppression but the only way to help fix the problem is to accept the fact that we have! Just because our society is built on that system of inequality or injustice does not mean it has to continue that way. We have the power and ability to change it. People with privilege need to recognize the fact that we have contributed to this inequality and bear responsibility for helping us correct our injustices. Therefore we accept the fact we have privileges and differences and try to create a better more inclusive society, for the sake of everyone.
A question I would like to propose is how we should start this cycle of change? Should certain situations be approached differently or should it be approached in the blunt perspective Johnson utilized throughout his piece? Attached is another article that offers another perspective of addressing our privileges The Uncertain World
Additionally, the image below also demonstrates the different types of common privilege within our lives.
