Talking Point #10 (Johnson)

In this last chapter of Johnson's article or book he is arguing and talking about ways that we can change the patterns of exclusion, rejection, privilege, harassment, discrimination, and violence that exist everywhere in our society. We have to break the silences and talk out about privilege, oppression, and inequalities. If we want change we need to acknowledge that the trouble exists, pay attention, and do something (it only has to be something of little risk).

1. "Very often those with privilege do not know it, which is a key aspect of privilege."

This quote is saying that most people who have privilege not even realize it. If we stop being silent and talk more about the privileges than most likely people of privilege will start seeing their privilege and this is like the first step to changing this problem in our society.

2. "But there is less attention to the millions of people who know inequities exist and want to be part of the solution. Their silence and invisibility allow the trouble to continue."

This quote is saying their are many people that know privilege and oppression exist but they do not do anything about it. Instead they just stay silent and fail to talk about the problem we have in the society and this allows the troubles to continue.

3. "It isn't just a collection of wounds inflicted long ago that now need to be healed. The wounding goes on as I write these words and as you read them, and unless people work to change the system that promotes it, personal healing itself cannot be the answer. Healing wounds is no more a solution to the oppression that causes the wounding than military hospitals are a solution to war. Healing is a necessary process, but it is not enough."

In this quote Johnson is talking about how privilege and oppression is not a thing of the past but is still happening to day and needs to be dealt with. Also it says that this can not be done only on a personal and individual level, but it also need to be done with the society and community level also. The individual level is a step but not the solution. The analogy reminds me of Kozol's analogy about small bandages over a big wound or broken bone.