How Systems of Privilege Work by Allan G. Johnson – Flashcards

1. Dominated privileged groups 2. Identified with privileged groups 3. Centered on privileged groups

"tends to be identified with such people in ways that make it seem normal and natural for them to have it." (i.e. power seems normal for a man and problematic for a woman)

"When women do find ways to be powerful in relation to men, it's usually in spite of the male dominated character of patriarchal systems as a whole."

Men have power vs Women not being culturally accepted to have power "For women to have power in relation to men also makes women vulnerable, because power in their hands lacks the cultural legitimacy of men's power."

"...being in control of themselves, others and events. I'm aware of this path, for example, in how I feel drawn to respond to questions whether I know the answer or not, to interrupt in conversations to avoid admitting that I'm wrong about anything, to take up room in public spaces."

"...silent attentiveness, hesitation, self-doubt, humility, deference, supporting what men say and do, and taking up as little space as possible. When she stepped off that path, she shook an entire structure by revealing its existence and how bot of us were participating in it. She also raised the possibility of alternative paths--of men learning about silence and listening, doubt and uncertainty, supporting others and sharing space." p.93

"Other is the key word in understanding how systems are identified with privileged groups. The privileged group is the assumed "we" in relations to "them." The 'other' is the 'you people' whom the 'we' regard as problematic, unacceptable, unlikable, or beneath 'our' standards." p. 96 i.e. Races other than white p.96

White identification means that whether arrested for a crime or winning a Nobel prize, white are rarely if ever identified as white, because that is assumed, Racial tags are common, however, for everyone else, from 'black physician' and 'Latina writer' to 'Asian actor.' p.96

Fellow: A man or boy

1. The condition or relation of being a fellow; the fellowship of humankind 2. Friendly relationship

"are words that on the surface don't appear to be gendered one way or the other but are in fact implicitly male identified." p.99

"...as long as men overwhelmingly dominate the conversation, the participation of women and men is perceived as roughly equal." p.104

"Racism, for example, is seen as something that exists only inside people as a flawed part of their personalities. It's an attitude, a collection of stereotypes, a bad intention, a desire or need to discriminate or do harm, a form of hatred. From that perspective, doing something about racism means changing how individuals feel, think and behave (since behavior is connected to how we think and feel). p.104

"'passive oppression' making it possible for oppression to happen simply by doing nothing to stop it. Privilege and oppression depend on a social environment that makes it easy for so many to stand by and do nothing." (p. 106) E.g. Modern day oppression

Because systems are identified with privileged groups the path of least resistance is to focus attention on them

Awareness, knowledge and skills (go back to article for full definition) Must possess specific knowledge and info about the particular group in which he/she is working with Recognizing their value assumptions Foci of SW in competencies

Step into the cultural shoes of the client/individual