"Privilege, Power, and Difference" by Allan G. Johnson

Johnson makes it very clear in this book that there are major issues in today's society that relate to racism, gender, sexual orientation, and social class. He links theory with examples so that the reader can make the connection with the consquences of what being privileged is about.

Passgaes of interest:

• The simple truth is that when I go shopping, I'll probably get waited on faster and better than she will. I'll benefit from the cultural assumption that I'm a serious customer who doesn't need to be followed around to keep me from stealing something. The clerk won't ask me for three kinds of ID before accepting my check or accepting my credit card(Johnson 7-8 ).

Johnson is making a great point here. It is true that a white male or female will get waited on much quicker than that of someone of color. How many times have you seen a security guard follow around a white woman with an eight year old? It's unfortunate that a stigmatism has been placed on the color or our skin. You know as well as I that the security guard is going to pay close attention to the young black man shopping. Why? History and statistics play a major role in how we approach the differences in today's society. As Johnson states, "my whiteness protects me".

• The existence of privilege doesn't mean I didn't do a good job, of course, or that I don't deserve credit for it. What it does mean is that I'm also getting something that other people are denied, people who are like me in every respect except for the gender, race, and sexual orientation categories they belong to (Johnson 24 ).

Johnson definitely hits the nail on the head with this statement. Being White in this society automatically guarantees you better treatment and unearned benefits and privileges than minorities. Having white skin means you have the freedom to choose the neighborhood you live in. You won't be discriminated against. You can flag down a cab without the thought they won't pick you up because you are a minority. You can study in school and be assured that your group will be postively portrayed, you don't have to think about race or deal with it. It's sad but true, we can say that society is "color blind" in the sense that we do not see that in this world your skin color is an asset. Johnson states, "being female, or of color, or homosexual doesn't determine people's outcomes, but they are turned into liabilities that make it less likely that their talent, ability, and aspirations will be recognized and rewarded".

• Issues of difference cover a large territory. A useful way to put it in perspective is with the "diversity wheel" developed by Marilyn Loden and Judy Rosener. In the hub of the wheel are six social characteristics: age, race, ethnicity, gender, physical ability and qualities (left/right-handedness, height, and so on), and sexual orientation. Around the outer ring are several others, including religion, marital status, whether we're parents, and social-class indicators such as education, occupation, and income.

Wheel? The wheel tells us absolutely nothing about the individual. I think what Johnson is trying to say is diversity is something that is often viewed in too narrow a scope and therefore we must be able to view it in a broader lens. The differences that define us as individuals go far beyond basic demographics like race, gender and age. Traits identified in the wheel are all important pieces to the puzzle. As I see it, the more diverse our environment, the more creative, and the more energized and productive we will be in society.

Questions/Comments/Point to share:

"Privilege, Power, and Difference" has many great parts to it. I think Johnson is able to show how racism and sexual orientation play a huge part in today's society and how we as individuals can over come these problems. He describes in the book how change is difficult but not impossible and how we can "stop supporting" the system that allows this to happen. The only thing I believe missing from this book is an ending....a goal....hmm..something to think about.