Allan Johnson: Privilege, Power and Difference

"For every social category that is privileged, one or more other categories are oppressed in relation to it (Johnson, p. 38)".  To explain this quote let's think of the social category of sex and gender. If we look at males and females, which one do you think has more privilege over the other? If you answered male you would be correct. According to this article I found, (linked HERE), women in 2024 make 84 cents compared to a mans $1. It is absolutely disturbing to me that men and women in 2024 who are as equally educated and qualified are not making the same amount. No if we added the social category of race into the conversation and it was a white man and a hispanic women both equally as qualified and educated the hispanic woman would make significantly less than the m an and a white woman. The wheel in the picture above is a good example of when there are social categories there is always a privilege and oppression that go hand in hand. 

I found an article titled "What is we flipped the conversation from gender discrimination to gender privilege?" and this caught my attention. By saying gender discrimination it sounds like we are already putting women at a disadvantage but by reframing that and saying gender privilege it opens up a door for conversation. It is naming what is actually happening within the workplace. Some examples of gender privilege in the workplace include men being more likely to be hired and promoted and paid more for equal work. 

Johnson does an excellent job in naming and defining what privilege, power and difference look like. Recognizing and realizing what privilege is and what privileges we carry is important. It helps us to be self aware but also aware of others around us.