“Privilege, Power, and Difference” By Alan Johnson”

 Our weekly reading this week was titled “Privilege, Power and Difference” By Alan Johnson. This was a reading about the differences people face, privilege and power people hold.

I am going to focus on and explain 3 quotes from the text. 

“I wrote this little book for one reason. We all know that a great deal of trouble surrounds issues of difference in this society, trouble relating gender and race, sexual orientation, ethnicity , social class”- Alan Johnson Pg. 1

Explanation- 

This quote stuck out to me as it was the opening line to the text. I thought it opened the piece well and let people know what to expect and lended a guiding hand for understanding the text. 

“The trouble around difference is really about privilege and power- the existence of privilege and the lopsided distribution of power that keeps it going.”-Alan Johnson Pg. 15

 Explanation- I loved this quote because it makes a very strong point. The continuation of privilege and power is pushed by current privilege and power.  To make change happen the problem has to be talked about and no one in power is willing to give their power up to talk about it. 

 “All of us are part of the problem. There is no way to avoid that as long as we live in the world. But we could also make ourselves part of the solution if only we knew how.”- Alan Johnson Pg. 11 

Explanation- I chose this third quote because I like that it called everyone out. It addresses that we are all part of the problem. 

Reflection- 

A question I would pose for the class is what is the first step to making change? Where does it begin and how do you become successful.