AUTHOR AND TITLE:
Allan Johnson - What can we do?

ARGUMENT:
The author argues that we need to face the issues that lie infront of us and find a way for change. We can't sweep problems under the rug because no one will take care of it for us if we don't do it ourselves.


QUOTES:

"We can't just stop using words like racism, sexism, and privilege, however, because these are tools that focus our awareness on the problem and all the forms it takes. Once we can see and talk about what's going on, we can analyze how it works as a system. We can identify points of leverage where change can begin."

-Not saying what should be said can cause a bigger problem rather than help change it. Not saying the words is no help. Say what you need to say. Put yourself out there. Be the cause of debate, at least this way you know you got somewhere. Just sitting around waiting for others to say the words is not going to change what you feel about the issues at hand. In order to begin the process of change you must be confident in yourself to be able to say the words no one else dares to say and talk about what you want to happen.



"The greatest barrier to change is that dominant groups don't see the trouble as their trouble, which means they don't feel obliged to do something about it. This happens for a variety of reasons: because they don't know the trouble exists in the first place, because they don't have to see it as their trouble, because they see it as a personal rather than a systemic problem, because they're reluctant to give up their privilege, because they feel angry and deprived and closed to the idea that they belong to privileged groups, because they're blinded by prejudice, because they're afraid of what will happen if they acknowledge the reality of privilege."

- People who think they aren't part of the problems we face are blind. It shows what kind of people they truely are. EVERYONE is part of the problems we see today. People reluctant to give up their privilege prove to be shelfish. There is no reason that any one person should feel as though they are too good to help people who are less privileged than they are. This quote really bothers me because when people are blind to what is going on around them or pretend that they don't see the problems of the world, they look fake and it shows their true colors. I am 19 and know more problems facing the world than some privileged people pretend not to see.


"As they work for change, it's easy for members of privileged groupS to lose sight of the reality of privilege and its consequences
and the truth that the trouble around privilege is
their trouble as much as anyone else's."



"There are no easy answers to the question of what can we do
about the problem of privilege. There is no twelve-step program,
no neat set of instructions. Most important, there is no
way around or over it: the only way out is through it. We won't
end OppreSSion by pretending it isn't there Or that We don't
have to deal with it."



"Dare to make people feel uncomfortable, beginning withyourself At the next local school board meeting, for example, you can ask why principals and other administrators are almost alwayswhite and male (unless your system is an exception that proves the rule), while the teachers they supervise are mostly women and people of color. Or look at the names and mascots used bylocal sports teams and see if they exploit the heritage and identity of Native Americans; if that's the case, ask principals and coaches and owners about it.6 Consider asking similar kinds ofquestions about privilege and difference in your place of worship, workplace,
and local government."

-There are way too many times when people hold themselves back instead of bringing up the real issues. Why feel ashamed or not welcome to speak your mind. It is okay to bring up a topic in which others are afraid of doing themselves. Matters will not begin to change on their own, nevermind if you are too afraid to talk about it because you might make people uncomfortable.


COMMENTS:
- This was a really long read and VERY repetative. I almost fell asleep. Some parts caught my attention. I basically felt overwhelmed with reading so much. It was good overall.