Johnson Chapter 7 (ex.)

Chapter 7: How Systems of Privilege Work

Thesis: “Privilege and oppression exist only through social systems and people’s participation in them,” (90). Systems of privilege are dominated by, identified with, and centered on privileged groups.

Argument/Support:
An idea exists that “members of privileged groups are superior,” (90). This is supported in our society. Positions of power are usually held by people in a privileged group, meaning that our system of privilege is dominated by a privileged group. Power held by privileged group members is “assumed,” while other cases are “exceptions,” (91). One group’s privilege is always at the expense of another group. “Male privilege at women’s expense,” (94). “Those who don’t look like people in power will feel invisible and this allows inequality and privilege to repeat itself,” (95). Our system of privilege is identified with privileged groups, as they are used as the group to compare to because they are considered “the best.” America is identified as white, despite the many different ethnicities that live in America. As white as the standard, all other groups may be placed in one large group of nonwhites, or “other,” (96). Our system of privilege also centers on the privileged groups. Those not in the privileged groups might feel invisible, and they in a sense are. “Actions do not have to be conscious in order to center attention on dominant groups at the expense of everyone else. It simply flows along down a path of least resistance,” (103). “Isms” are often used to describe how people feel and behave (104). Silence and not doing anything can be a part of “isms” because not standing up against them only allows them to exist further. People can make it possible for oppression to happen “simply by doing nothing to stop it,” (106). People in privileged groups often do nothing and feel that isms have nothing to do with them, but all whites are in a privileged group and they all have to deal with these isms.

Personal Response/Question:
Why did Johnson include this chapter in his book? Of course systems of PRIVILEGE are going to be dominated, identified with, and centered on PRIVILEGED groups. I think Johnson’s purpose for including this chapter was to show how difficult life is for the oppressed groups and that the privileged groups need to do something about it. “Subordinate groups are in a double bind. If they do nothing, they are invisible. If they try to do something, they are accused of seeking special treatment,” (104). I believe that subordinate groups or oppressed groups cannot really change their status. Therefore, the privileged groups are held responsible for the entire future of our system of privilege, and changing the problem. Of course, oppressed groups must come together with the privileged groups, but the privileged groups must initiate the beginning of solving the problem of privilege.