What Can We Do? Becoming Part of the Solution

The article I will be commenting on in this blog is named What Can We Do? Becoming Part of the Solution from the book Privilege, Power, and Difference by Allan G. Johnson. I feel that Johnson says alot about this article in the title "Becoming Part of the Solution" and states what he feels are solid behavioral changes in the power and privilege group that can reverse the oppression that minorities feel. Johnson states " the challenge we face is to change patterns of exclusion, rejection, privilege, harassment, discrimination, and violence that are everywhere in this society and have existed for hundreds of years." To change these behaviors will take work from our society and this author gives specific details on how such change could be possible. There are several quotes from this article that I could use to explain Johnson's ideas about change but I have narrowed them down to a few. The first quote I analyzed was on page 145 and it stated: " To shake off the paralyzing myth that we cannot, individually, be effective, we have to alter how we see ourselves in relation to a long term, complex process of change. This begins by altering how we relate to time." I feel the author is saying we need to change in a large group over a long period of time for the the oppressed to be freed. Change does not happen in days, weeks , or months , but years of progressive learning and acting in a manner that all society be equal. The second quote I will use for this piece is found on page 154 and states: "Understanding how privilege and oppression operate and how you participate in them is where the work for change begins. It's easy to have opinions, but it takes work to know what you're talking about. The simplest way to begin is by reading, and making reading about privilege part of your life." Jonhson is saying for us as a society to expel the privileged class and oppresive groups we need to educate people on these issues. Reading and talking is away from the "path of least resistance" and if people are tired of the oppresion, these are two simple forms of every day life that can be progressive for a positive change. The last quote I will use from this article can be found on page 158 and states: " Make noise, be seen. Stand up, volunteer, speak out, write letters, sign petitions, show up. Every oppressive system feeds on silence." If people are truly commited into making a change, they have to get involved in the process of change. The "elephant in the middle of the room" needs to be discussed and have explicit communication about privilege and oppression for change to occur. For me, this class has been an eye opener for white privilge and the culture of power. I agree with Johnson when he says education is a key to making a change and eliminating oppressive behaviors by whites. As a teacher, I feel that collaboration and teamwork on the issues Johnson puts forward can be brought to light and hopefully in future generations these behaviors will be a thing of the past.