Privilege, Power, and Difference

I didn't know anything about this sort of topic--privilege, power, the interaction of different groups--before taking my first grad school course. I think the information in here is important and eye opening. When you first read this book, it makes it sound like "because you are of <x group>, <y thing> will happen to you". That's what I was getting from it when I first read it, and I had a hard time absorbing the contents at the beginning because I was ticked at being told that because I'm biracial, "thing y" WILL happen to me--as though it's inevitable, when I haven't had some of the experiences mentioned in the book. In addition, if I was a caucasian male, I would definitely feel like I was being beat up on, and so it would be hard for those who fall into that social group not to push back either.After speaking with a friend about the contents and attending a few class sessions, I started to understand a bit more about what this book is trying to get across. The concepts discussed here are systemic issues, not individual. That is, the author isn't talking about sexism or racism or ableism in a way that suggests that individual people are being overtly sexist, or racist, or ableist. Instead, there are systems in place--laws, generally accepted practices--that perpetuate customs that have the effect of being sexist or what have you. They disproportionately affect marginalized factions of society. What might majority culture view with disdain, and might it be because it's associated with a minority culture? As an example, many people react with vitriol when the discussion of illegal immigration comes up. Is this because people assume all undocumented residents are from Mexico or South America, and Mexicans are "bad"? There are Canadians, Australians, Polish, Japanese, etc. who are undocumented. If the face of the undocumented population was a Caucasian businessman from calgary, would the tone of the national conversation be the same? It might be, but it's worth considering whether there might be a change in climate.A single class in this subject matter is just an introduction, but it has opened my eyes to the unearned advantages that I have. Do I think that everything that happens, every comment that's made, every position someone has is sexist or racist? No. Do I still have difficulties with this kind of subject matter? Absolutely. But I do consider people's background or the experiences they may have had more often. I don't think that there's such a thing as common sense anymore, because that's assuming the same level of background and experiences for everyone. I do think that this subject matter is important for everyone to be exposed to, as it will help folks understand one another and stop making assumptions and allow us to embrace the diversity around us. I think it's beautiful that there are so many different types of people out there, and I think this could encourage others to be more accepting and those of us who are different to embrace that difference instead of be ashamed or embarrassed about them.

Hated the book. It's very political which is not a bad thing which is not necessarily a bad thing but it's not my cup of tea. The author says that the dominant and privileged individual in society is a white, male, heterosexual, able bodied individual. I felt the author was yelling at me and telling me that I am a horrible person because I was born white, able bodied, and a heterosexual. The author's goals is to bring the issues of racism, sexism, genderism, etc. to the forefront of the mind so that individuals become of aware of the issues. Once individuals are aware, they can begin to fight against the issues and can work towards equality to everyone. If you are interested in these types of issues, you'll like this book. The author was pretty funny, he made concepts clear by giving examples, and he had strong arguments.

EVERYONE WHO DESIRES TO BE MORE SOCIALLY AWARE AND CONSCIOUS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. FROM ANY AND ALL AGES. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO GET A GLIMPSE INTO THE REALITIES OF NOT ONLY THE ON SOCIAL SYSTEMS YOU PARTICIPATE IN KNOWINGLY PR UNCONSCIOUSLY BUT A PEEK INTO WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO ENDURE.

Got this for a multicultural counseling course and while informative some people will be offended. It also leaves you with little in the way of suggestions for action and change...it essentially just points out everything that is wrong with the world and leaves you there with an abstract theory as to how to fix it. Accompanied with a book that provides more suggestions and an instructor that helps you look at some of the reasons why it offends you it can be very helpful and informative.

This book was assigned to me during a diversity class for a student affairs graduate program. Like many, I was not sure what to expect. The context of the book delivers great truth that goes unsaid here in the United States. Dr. Johnson is able to articulate about feminism, sexism, racism, and homosexuality, without condemning the readers about the social issues. He offers courageous solutions and wisdom that opens up some tough dialogue between the readers and the book. It's a must read and if you are going into any type of education, humanities, social justice, or global studies field- you won't be disappointed. All points are applicable.

A bit of a wordy read to convey the point, but well thought out illustrations of the ideas presented. I'd say I still disagree with some of what is said, but overall a very enlightening read. I had to read this for a class, but this is worth a read on your own time as well.

I found this book to balance well the heaviness of the subject matter with the need to refrain from making the reader feel depressed and hopeless after reading it. It treats the subject matter gently and without feeling the need to make it seem irreversible or like it is trying to organize a mob. I found the information to be relevant, well-cited, and divulged in a way that both a student of the field as well as the casual reader can find engaging.

I first encounter _Power, Privilege, and Difference_ in a graduate course. However, finding the book accessible and thorough, I thought the book would be well-suited to undergraduate courses I teach, as well. And, useful it has been! This book offers a way in for students who specifically are struggling with issues of "White guilt," feeling that the whole of racism, sexism, etc. is on their shoulders. Written from a White man who openly identifies in many of the privileged categories in this society, Johnson offers a way in to others who similarly identify.I highly recommend this book!

I bought this for a lecture, but it became so much more than a reading requirement. Good read.

Thank you!

Brand new rather than used

A great book to show the real representations of privledge, power and difference in society. This book was relevant to the information I learned in my course! A keeper!!!