Argumentative:
Author Allan Johnson writes about the various types of privilege and how different races, genders, etc, have more privilege than their counterparts. However, everybody is affected by this privilege, not just those who have the upper hand. Privilege has affected people all throughout history, and by ignoring the past of privilege we perpetuate the future of it. To fix the problem, society must first address it. These deeply rooted problems cannot be fixed without first acknowledging where they came from. But it is not just the minority that need to address history and begin to mend the rift that privilege has caused. The majority must check their own privilege and their own history to begin to dismantle the pillar of power they rest upon.
While I understand what the author is saying, I doubt society’s abilities to actually change. In todays world, it is so rare to see anybody admit to even the most minor mistakes. To expect them to then try to change is pointless. For example, there are radicals who believe the election was rigged, or that police brutality is not an issue, or that vaccines are a hoax. Even when presented with ample amounts of evidence, they refuse to acknowledge or accept the facts. As an optimist, I believe that human beings are capable of change. However, they need to be willing to put in the effort to make the necessary changes. Not only that, but people need to band together to change, it can not ride on one person alone. Because of that, realistically, I do not see those changes being made any time soon.
A question I have for the class is how can we encourage these changes? How can the more tolerant influence the less tolerant to reflect on their history and their privilege? Again, to make these changes, it falls on all of us. How can we disrupt the tradition of power and privilege?
