Question E

The chapter deals with people in a privileged position denying/disagreeing that they are in fact privileged. It's only been two years since I was introduced to social justice. A lot of what Johnson talks about with denying privilege sounds to me the way I used to think when I first heard the word privilege associated with white people. Privilege still sounds kind of snobby to me. I believe that is a reason why a lot of white people deny it or ignore it. Like Johnson says the mere mention of the phrase white privilege can induce eye rolling by people who are unaware. He is right, I have been met with a lot of people telling me "no that doesn't exist, it's them" meaning people of color. Johnson is right. I wish I could share this with those people because I feel that because I am a woman, disabled, and young most people I talk to are saying or thinking "she's just complaining" which is another thing Johnson mentioned. For example, the passage about how if only black kids would go to college they would be fine is another way to brush off the problem and not listen to people. I mean it is hard when people are constantly being held back by society and no matter how hard they try their are some things that they cannot change and they accept that. I don't think that giving excuses to people is an effective listening tool, especially people who do not want/need an excuse.The sad thing is that all people need to do is listen. I find it to be especially troubling that my own male friends, mostly white, won't listen and people consider them educated. I mean I used to be ignorant too but I at least gave people the time of day. That's the problem with the sense of entitlement that comes with being the highest on the privilege scale.