"Privilege, Power, and Difference" by Allan Johnson

Argument:

The author's main argument in this text is acknowledging and changing how we think about differences in society. He says "My purpose in this book is to articulate that understanding in ways that are clear and compelling and, above all, useful" (vii.) The author wants everyone to be able to understand societal differences in new ways to be able to create change. The author also states "The purpose is to change how we think so that we can change how we act, and by changing how we participate in the world, become part of the complex dynamic through which the world itself will change" (viii.) The author is again saying that we need to find a new way of thinking, a new way of thinking in which we will be able to find the root of the problem. We all need to take accountability for all of these societal issues on gender, race, social class, sexual orientation, etc, no matter what our standpoint is. Everyone is responsible for change. 

People are close-minded, but we need everyone to be open-minded and take responsibility for what is going on in this world.

The author wants to bring awareness to what is going on. The way that this will be done is by acknowledging that everyone is part of the issue, no matter race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, etc. Even if one is not affected by these societal issues, they are still part of the problem. They are part of the problem in the sense that the issue exists. If the people who weren't experiencing these issues didn't exist, there would be no one to be different against. Meaning, if there weren't any white, straight, rich, men, then there would be no problem for black, gay, poor, women. There would be nothing to compare the people with these issues to, therefore there being no fight/ indifference.

Overall, the author's main argument/ point is to get everyone to acknowledge these societal issues and create change no matter where they stand.

Reflection: Question for class: Why do people have different opinions about societal issues?

Racism Is Everyone's Problem