Allan G. Johnson
Privilege Power and Difference
Quotes
"People can't help fearing the unfamiliar"
- The author Allan G. Johnson gives a simple answer to the question of "why can't people just get along?" He suggests that the answer of question for most people is simply because they fear what they do not know or are unfamiliar with. Some people are unfamiliar with other races, religions, genders, along with other things so the most common initial instinct is to disregard it, be afraid or act in spite towards it because of the lack of awareness.
"And if people in privileged groups don't include themselves in the solution, the default is to leave it to blacks and women and Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, lesbians, gay men, and the lower and working classes to do it on their own. But these groups can't do it on their own, because they don't have the power to change entrenched systems of privilege by themselves."
-This quote stood out to me and I actually had to stop reading and think about this quote because of how true it is. I had never thought about it this way, meaning that even though black people, women, gay men and lesbian women and the other groups named in the quote try to help themselves, it is hard for them to get anywhere because they are already at a disadvantage because of the current sexism, homophobia, and racism that goes on. They do not have as loud and impactful of voice as people who are apart of a privileged community. Therefore, they need the help of the people who are apart of that privileged community to raise more awareness. The people who have privilege who are unwillingly or willingly apart the problem need to also be the solution.
"For all our potential, you'd think we could manage to get along with one another. By that I don't mean love another in some profoundly idealistic way."
- Allan G. Johnson is saying that it is not hard to respect people and be nice towards people. We are all human beings and some people do not see that, they choose to see someone who is unlike them and decide to point out differences, or have bigger egos because of the difference of color, gender, or sexual orientation. You do not have to go out of your way for every person and give them the world, you do not have to love every person, you do not have to like every person, you just have to have respect towards everyone which will have a positive impact on humanity. It will ensure more people in this world will get along instead of going head-to-head with each other.
One point I have is that I believe that people care too much about themselves and not enough about other people. It is not that hard to get along with people, especially people who are different than you and sometimes in more that one way. You do not have to be the best of friends with everyone you come in contact with, you just have to show a bit of respect towards them and I think that could go a long way.
https://www.agjohnson.us/about/
Hi Nate. This is very insightful! Your first quote resonates with me because it is similar to one my quotes that I chose to write about. I can relate to the fact that "we do not fear what we don't know, but we fear what we think we do know". I also found the image you used to be very powerful. A seemingly simple question that no one can easily answer.
ReplyDeleteSO glad that this text resonated with you, Nate. Great points. (Did you do an "About Me" post as well? The one listed on my blog?)
ReplyDeleteI like the first quote you used "People can't help fearing the unfamiliar" you made great points and to add on I think its because most people fear change, or the feeling of insecurity can make people resistant to new ideas, cultures, or perspectives.
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