Privilege, Power, and Difference

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.

This book does a great job explaining privilege. Johnson (the author) has been mentioned in a few of my political science classes as has this book. I am glad that I have read it. I have a liberal perspective and agree with much of what the author argues in this book. Also, it is an easy and enjoyable read, not too technical. I highly recommend it. I have also been able to use it as a reference in some of my research papers in psychology.

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.

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.

All together this is a good book that delves into the miasma of privilege and how it applies to having power amongst relative societies and levels of societies. He also talks about the differences between people and how that might actually lead to the giving of privilege. Altogether, it's a decent book, one that you should certainly read if you these issues of power and privilege bother you.

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.

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!

Firstly, the issues the author addresses can be found better stated in many sociological articles/books and for free or much much less. It is an anti-capitalist book, yet the author is profiting hugely off of this small book and why? because of capitalism. He does draw from facts for this book, but then he throws in opinions right next to them attempting to trick the reader. For example, he states that whites are more likely to get a job than blacks (studies to back this up), but then on the same page states that whites are not held to the same standard as blacks on sports teams (what?). Anyways, I am not trying to bore anyone with a long review. Whether you disagree with the author or not, just know that other books and articles address the same issues and in a much more thought out way. My opinion is that Allan Johnson lives deep in the woods of Connecticut and is out of touch with the life everyone else is living. Capitalism and white privilege are easy to attack, but finding reasonable solutions to the issues of inequality is tough and it is something he does not approach.

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

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!!!

Thank you!