Blog #1

     In Allan Johnson's book Privilege, Power and Difference, he brings up a crucial question: "Can't we all just get along?" This question resonates because there's a significant barrier preventing harmony in our society. The discomfort around terms like racism, privilege, and sexism often leads us to avoid these discussions in our everyday interactions, contributing to the issue at hand. Johnson argues that staying away from these hard conversations makes the problem worse. Confronting the discomfort associated with terms like racism and sexism is essential. Personally, I tend to avoid using such terms in my conversations, as it seems to create an uneasy situation for me and the other person. This avoidance creates a cycle where these critical issues remain unaddressed.

Acknowledging the existence of a problem is the first step, according to Johnson. Many times, we contribute to the problem by playing it safe and avoiding any risks. Engaging in more conversations and paying attention to issues of privilege and oppression opens up opportunities for positive change. As Johnson succinctly puts it, "Trouble we can't talk about is trouble we can't do anything about." The article describes the reality of white privilege and gender disparities. It describes that these privileges are based on factors like race or gender at birth and are not earned.  Acknowledging it is important for society so we can discuss these issues without discomfort, with an understanding that it is about addressing systemic inequalities rather than blaming individuals.

I found the diversity wheel interesting; the wheel explores characteristics like gender, race, and sexual orientation at the center, while attributes such as marital status, income, religion, or education form the outer portion. changing these outer aspects can influence societal perceptions and the significance of diversity and its impact on everyone's experiences.

  Allan Johnson states that denial and a preference for the path of least resistance contribute to perpetuating the problem. By avoiding rejection and denying our role in the issue, we hinder progress. Johnson urges individuals to confront denial, recognizing that acknowledging the problem is the first step towards addressing and resolving it.