Talking Points #10

Johnson. "What Can We Do? Becoming Part of the Solution"


In this chapter I believe Johnson argues that everyone needs to help and put from their part in order to stop things such as rejection, privilege, harassment, discrimination, and violence. That even if we don’t see the positive outcome right away it may one day happen.
Quotes
#1 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 identity points of leverage where change can begin.
- I totally agree with Johnson with this we cannot stop using these words because if we do I believe it will only cause these things to happen for another several thousands of years, and it’s only going to get worst and the solution is going to be harder to reach. Putting an old prom dress in a closet and years later coming back to look for it to wear to a special occasion you know it’s somewhere in that closet but with everything else that was also put in there throughout the years it may take you a while to find. Talking about these things is key for change.

#2 Just as privileged groups tend not to be aware of privilege, they also tend not to be aware of how it happens from one moment to the next. Developing that ongoing awareness is a key to becoming part of the solution.
-Another good point but I still don’t completely understand how they aren’t aware of their privilege is it really that hard to figure out that not everyone is like them? “Developing that ongoing awareness is a key to becoming part of the solution.” This seems like a great strategy for those who are having difficulties coming to the conclusion that they are privileged they should be I believe they should be a little more informed and open eyed about different lifestyles.

#3 To be an effective part of the solution, we have to realize that privilege and oppression are not a thing of the past. It's happening right now. MYTH 1: "IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY, ANDIT ALWAYS WILL" This means that if we're going to be part of the solution, we have to let go of the idea that change doesn't happen unless we're around to see it happen.

-When I read this particular piece I don’t know why I reminded me of the whole campaign and Obama for some odd reason all though all our US Presidents had been white when Obama was elected it all changed. So it proved that myth wrong.

About the reading- I personally enjoyed reading this chapter from Johnson although it was fairly long I think EVERYONE should read a chapter from her book. I liked the word choice although many of the words were slanted Lol I didn’t have a problem reading it.