Johnson Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Privilege, Oppression, and Difference

Thesis: We are in trouble, and we need to find the best way to deal with the present problem of difference before passing it on to future generations. Power and privilege are the real problems. People fear talking about or acknowledging privilege and power because of the chance that it might make them, associated with a certain group, uncomfortable.

Argument/Support:
“The trouble that surrounds difference is really about privilege and power (12).” Dominant groups in society rarely talk about power and privilege because it may cause an uncomfortable state for them. “The fear keeps us from looking at what’s going on and makes it impossible to do anything about the reality that lies deeper down (12).” We learn how to associate people with groups and we learn to view people certain ways. Therefore, “The problem is our ideas about what we don’t know (13).” Diversity is present and always will be, but the differences in social characteristics means nothing. Okay, it means something, but it tells us nothing about the actual person it is “supposed to” represent. Perception is key in this world because how people perceive you determines how they treat you, what group(s) you will be placed in, and what opportunities and rewards you may get. “The trouble is produced by a world organized in ways that encourage people to use difference to include or exclude, reward or punish, credit or discredit, elevate or oppress, value or devalue, leave alone or harass (16).” People assume too much and are quick to judge, or form impressions based on what they see, and then they use their impressions to compare people to themselves or others. Any difference, even a small one, might place one group of people lower and another group higher and in the dominant position. Social construction affects the way people think and form conclusions. “most of what we experience as ‘real’ is a cultural creation…it’s made up (17).” What people learn through their life creates an image and idea of what “normal” is even though there is no definition for “normal.” The dominant group takes on the “responsibility” of defining in their own way what is or should be normal. Language can define people as part of a group and can create a sense of inferiority. We often think that our culture is right, or what our culture defines as normal is normal no matter what others have to say. In terms of privilege some created groups are privileged while other groups are the opposite, oppressed. As long as the privileged groups are still privileged then they see no need for change. “The most visible consequences of privilege is the uneven distribution of jobs, wealth, and income and all that goes with it (32).” Those that are privileged have choices, when those that are oppressed do not have choices. Privilege is, however, created by people and only represents those perceived as being part of a certain group, and the only thing that matters is what people think of you and not who you actually are. Therefore, individuals of a privileged or oppressed group are not all the same and cannot be classified with similar characteristics because the groups they belong to are created by society and not on any factual information from the individuals.

Key Concepts:

Difference- not the problem, but contains the trouble. People view difference as a means of separation and grouping. Differences in social characteristics place people in different groups. However, differences do not really say anything except for that single trait about an individual.

Privilege- “when one group has something of value that is denied to others simply because of the groups they belong to, rather than because of anything they’ve done or failed to do (21).” Privilege is present daily, where the privileged groups are more likely to end up with something good. Unequal distribution of wealth and resources is the result of privilege. “Privilege increases the odds of having things your own way (33),” and it also results in having more choice. “To have privilege is to be allowed to move through your life without being marked in ways that identify you as an outsider (33).”

Two Types of Privilege (22-23) –
1. “unearned entitlements” or the “things of value that all people should have.” Examples are feeling safe in public and working in a place where you feel you belong.
2. “conferred dominance” or when one group has power over another group. Examples are when a boy is called “mama’s boy” or when a man is labeled “whipped.” These titles come from cultural assumptions though.

Oppression- the opposite of privilege. Groups are considered oppressed only if there is a group that is privileged, in order for there to be a counter.

Social Construction- a fake reality created by the society. Based on human assumptions and perceptions, there are created groups of privilege and oppression. People are placed into groups based on comparison and what others “think” they are, but not even necessarily who they really are.

Privilege as Paradox (34-35) – “Granting of privilege has nothing to do with who those individuals are as people.” Individuals get privileges based on the way others perceive them, and by being placed in a privileged group. Just because one is part of a privileged group does not mean that happiness will come to this person. Life choices allow for the privileged to squander what they have and end up below the oppressed. However, a white, heterosexual male is still just that even if he wasted his life savings away. He is still part of three privileged groups just listed.