For one of my PhD courses this semester, we read Johnson's Privilege, Power, and Difference (2006). It's an engaging read. Johnson, as I understand it, suggests we view issues of privilege and difference as systemic issues; we have inherited and are living in a society we did not create, but being aware of the choices we make while living in this society can positively impact the society inherited by those coming after us. In having difficult conversations, Johnson (2006) suggests we pull concerns out of the arena of the individual and situate them within a system.
I went to class excited to explore privilege and difference from this new to me context. One of the concepts I took from the book was to have the courage to ask questions, that without the courage to ask questions and speak up existing systems will facilitated continued choice of the path of least resistance, maintaining (and possibly strengthening) current privileged populations. I want my students to have a better world, I want them to get to just be people. Differences should be valued as wonderful, beautiful, elements which help make life fascinating and enchanting. Differences shouldn't dictate, for instance, groups' access to educational opportunities of terrifyingly different qualities. I don't want differences to mean some people can't, as described by Johnson (2006), put pictures of their loved ones out or speak of their partners by name. I don't want my daughter's access to opportunity to be limited because those whom she resembles accept and embrace the place into which others' privilege place them. In time, I will, I am sure, identify many valuable take-aways from last night's discussion. The instructor is amazing, the program fantastic, and we students as classmates and scholars are also friends. It was an impactful evening of stories and relationship building. But right now, though, this is what I am sorting through having experienced:
So, mostly, right now I am disappointed in myself. And I am disappointed for myself. The heterosexual white male I'm describing is a great guy, and as I understand it diversity and equity are central to his scholarly exploration. So, since I value him as an individual (and I want to protect my position of acceptance within the class) I smiled and nodded like a good girl. I chose the path of least resistance, using my understanding of him as an individual to support my choice rather than having the courage to speak to a system of privilege which encouraged us all to smile and nod while he spoke. I think I need to read the book again. ~KE Johnson, A. G. (2006). Privilege, Power, and Difference. McGraw Hill. (I read the 3rd edition, will update the citation once I am again in the same room as the book and can check the date).
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