"Privilege, Power, and Difference"

What confirmed your experience/knowledge?

Privilege, Power and Difference. I was born with privilege because back in my native country

my family is highly influential politically and that influence gave my family great wealth and power.

These privilege and power enable me to live a very comfortable life. I knew growing up I was different

from others, the food I eat, the clothes I wear and even my social life is chosen for me. I remember when

I was 7yrs old I often play in the rice and coconut plantation with kids from the community and my

grandfather would always look for me as he screams my name saying how many times do I have to tell

you, you cant play with other kids, its him saying theyre poor so you cant, so I must stay within the

upper-class circle.

At seven my grandfather was creating a huge barrier because of our social class in society. My

confusion and guilt began at an early age and the worst part is that segregation is created not because of

race its because of social status and the fact that you cant even treat your own people with equality and

respect, I wonder how is that any better? I feel that the white privilege and wealth as privilege is the

same. Because both are not for the well-being of people, it oppresses and creates very limited

opportunity for people to make progress because we continue to enforce separation. It angers me that

such privilege and power either your born with it or its given to you it seems to normalize the treatment

of injustice in others. In my country if youre in poverty youre a minority and of course if youre

wealthy your privilege and you have power. From what Ive experience and what Ive seen, injustice

either against the color of your skin or simply for being poor both suffers the same, neither is

experiencing privilege or given equal justice.

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What challenged your experience/knowledge?

What challenged my experience is that I was born with privilege and even after moving here in

the United States that privilege seem to have remain with me. Growing up I have access to unlimited

resource. I was then confused because I often wondered why I have this privilege and all the time I

would question my moral conscience and principle. I felt guilty and just like what the book said, what is

guilt without action, without us personally doing something about it. Guilt and silence doesnt help the

issue of racism, oppression and injustice if we simply just use guilt and pretend that by feeling guilty we

are somehow immune to be labeled as insensitive, racist, white privilege, etc., so really silence is

oppression.

What quotes/passages spoke strongly to you? Why? Include page numbers.

I doubt that most people of whites or blacks are to be more tolerant of Native Americans.

(Johnson, 2006, p.96). I wonder what people think of another race? Lets be specific, what do white

people thinks of black people? Or what Asian thinks of Hispanic; interchanging the race doesnt change

the message nor makes it any better it just proves that prejudice lies in all of us whether if we admit it or

not, unconsciously or consciously. The book talks about all the uncomfortable feelings we have that

involves ism. Its seems that people tend to choose the effortless way out and it is the problem because

we continue to avoid addressing the issue or admit that we have to be accountable. Last week I said in

class that majority of my friends and colleagues are white then I added because growing up I was

exposed mostly with the white population versus a diverse group nor I attempted to get acquainted with

my own race. I needed to accept the reality that I was prejudice against my own race, I felt ignorant, I

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needed to reflect on that feeling; I cant be part of a community if I can be a part of my own. Secondly,

If blacks were smarter or worked harder to get an education, theyd be okay (Johnson, 2006, p.101).

Lets deny and minimize the actual problem. This statement denies all the injustice towards the colored

community, if it was that simple to simply just be successful without being treated with such prejudices,

inequality as the white system continuously treats the blacks with great biased. Its a matter of if or all

are treated equally and are given equal opportunity then we can possibly move forward in making

progress, but the reality is we are far from making these changes that would give equal opportunity for

everyone. And the system that we are used to will continue to create that barrier and separation. I

connected with these two statements because it addresses accountability and to look deeper into our own

bias and prejudices. I dont want to simply just acknowledge the problem, we have enough of that. I

believe that we are all equally responsible to help make a difference for the well-being of all people.

What are the points that address the course content?

I think the all the ism were address in the class. It was important for all of us to interact and

accept each other differences so we can begin to understand that being uncomfortable talking or

debating about a certain issue would help us understand; it helped me personally because I was able to

define my guilt This was important for me to accomplish. And again, during the class session we

touch base with the BLM issue and everyone had the opportunity to states their opinions regarding the

movement. For me personally, its was when Robbin address that its her understanding and how she

feels being an African- woman in a society that is beyond biased in the colored community. We seem to

mostly see our own perspective without having to understand how it is to walk in some else shoe. We

cant simply state that we know or understand how people are feeling, that would be an impossible

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assumption to which many of us seem to do, were quick to make judgment and often fails to reflect on

our own bias.

What affective responses occurred?

I believe that every topic discuss in class were effective because it gives the ability to really

listen and learn to accept each others differences and opinions. Our class is truly diverse we come from

diverse backgrounds, religion, culture and beliefs. It is a safe place to feel uncomfortable because some

topics will affect others or to some may be a foreign situation. For me effective responses mean, truth,

respect is ability to be ourselves without judgment.

How can you use this book in your professional and personal life?

The book provided clarification for me personally, for a very long time I was conflicted and

guilty. Its obvious that our society rules a broken system and it will continue to do so if the people of

color and minorities are treated unfairly, oppressed and often victims of injustice. If we make statements

like I have black friends, so I cant be racist? people are sensitive to be labeled as racist, yet many

stays in silence. We cant simply just acknowledge a problem or an issue without asking ourselves, do

we/ I understand the reality of the problem and how its affecting society. And often its difficult for us

to understand that its more than just acknowledging the problem that silence adds to oppression and

injustice. I hope that I continue to deepen my understanding of the current issues that we are facing right

now because unfortunately I feel that it will continue to be a problem until everyone takes the

responsibility to enforce equality on everyone.

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 Reference

Johnson, Allan G. (2006) Privilege, Power, and Difference, 2nd edition, ( pp.2-137)

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