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Alan Johnson and S.C.W.A.A.M.P

 While reading Privilege, Power, and Difference by Alan Johnson, he discusses a variety of issues seen throughout our society. Johnson acknowledges the privilege he has being a white man in the middle-class. While he knows his experience does not relate to everyone, he can still use his expereince to discuss his own privileges to those that in similar positions. He also isn't ignorarent to the struggles he doesn't face himself, and instead seeks out information to help him understand others better. Johnson discusess discrimination and how it affects many areas of our lives, such as work and school. In chapter 3, we are shown a picture of "The Diversity Wheel" which is a wheel with categories for individuals to look at and see where they fit into it. He mentions "For most people, shifting only a few parts of the diversity wheel would be enough to change their lives dramatically" (19). Our differences aren't the problem it's how they are used as either an advantage or a disadvantage. 

To truly understand our privilages, we need to understand what privilege is. In terms of S.C.W.A.A.M.P I am aware that I am fortunate enough to fit into most of those categories, I am a straight, Catholic, white, able-bodied, American who also happens to be a woman rather than a man. I also do not own property, something that is becoming increasinly more unattainablein my generation due to high living costs. Johnson had very good ideas thoughout his book unfortunately, I don't know how attainable those ideas are. I think it's important to be aware of the priviliege each person has and what we can do to educate ourselves on our own in order to minimize the gaps. 


Comments

  1. JordanTaylorSeptember 9, 2024 at 7:12 AM

    Hi Ashley, I enjoyed reading your blog post! I liked that you included that owning property is so difficult to obtain during this time, which is awful, but hopefully, the market will go down soon! I also think it is so important to be aware of the privilege that you may have and to continue to educate ourselves without bias.

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  2. Dr. Joyce StevosOctober 20, 2024 at 2:30 PM

    From Jess: Ashely: I like the quote you added to support your point about diversity and I want to highlight when you said how our differences aren't the problem, it's how it’s used as an advantage or disadvantage. I believe that was a great point to show how regardless of how different we all are it’s actions and treatment to others is what matters most.

    ReplyDelete
  3. tessNovember 27, 2024 at 6:23 AM

    Hi Ashley, I enjoyed reading your blog post! You explained it very well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Olivia TetreaultDecember 10, 2024 at 1:07 PM

    I enjoyed being able to see how you connected yourself to the reading!

    ReplyDelete
  5. MakenaFebruary 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM

    I loved the quote you used because it shows how much of a difference it could make if you changed certain parts of your life, but it shouldn't have to be that way. As a society we view different things as good and bad which inherently give us privileges, but as Johnson explains, these categories are put into place, normally, by a certain group to satisfy their needs. Could we really change these beliefs? That is the question.

    ReplyDelete

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