September 1
Alan Johnsons "Privilege, Power and Differences" & S.C.W.A.A.M.P
The idea of S.C.W.A.A.M.P and the reading, "Privilege, Power and Differences" by Alan Johnson recognize what groups in our culture are idealized and most accepted. Johnson explains how it's important to acknowledge if you identify with a more privileged group and how we need to use that to lift the less privileged up. It's necessary to join together instead of trying to fight each other. S.C.W.A.A.M.P is a list of the most common privileged groups in our society.
An interesting point mentioned in this reading is how guilt and self-blame from those more privileged causes defensiveness and prevents them from taking steps forward in becoming a solution. I had never really thought about how those who are privileged simply reacting in a defensive manner negatively impacts the movement of progress, but it does make a lot of sense. Instead of accepting it and trying to use that privilege to help others, many simply deny it or argue. This only leads to more arguments over the topic preventing more positive movements coming from the realization.
To summarize, as Johnson explains, if we don't acknowledge ourselves as the problem, we cannot become the solution.
Relating what we learned from S.C.W.A.A.M.P into this, we can identify the main privileged groups and why they are considered more valued in our culture. Straightness, Christianity, Whiteness, Able-bodiedness, Americanness, Maleness, and Property-ownership are all normalized and most commonly understood. These being the more privileged and accepted groups, they need to be the ones to push the movement for equality and bring up the less privileged since they cannot successfully do it without that support.
Overall, I think this reading and S.C.W.A.A.M.P are important concepts for people to understand, especially those more privileged so that we can move forward as a community to create more equality.
Hi, Alana, Overall great point, In order for our community to advance and create greater equality, I believe that understanding S.C.W.A.A.M.P. and this reading, especially for those who are more privileged, is crucial
ReplyDeleteHello, Alana, you did a great job acknowledging that privilege is very much an issue and that to move forward, we need to support one another. I also liked that you added the image at the end to tie everything together.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the picture you used incorporates the ideas of S.C.W.A.A.M.P and the reading together. It reminds me of the video we watched in class that showed that inequity isn't just a racial issue. There are more factors, like gender and economic class, that contribute to one's power standing, and the varying difficulties (or lack thereof) that someone faces in their life as a result of these factors.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture chosen to represent privilege. It shows the obstacles that most of us have while others do not and the blindness some have to it. In order for the privilege to be a contributing factor to the cause, they must first open their eyes and see the power they have at hand to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteoverall this is a great point. In order for our community to move forward and create more equality, I think it is necessary to understand S.C.A.M.P.
ReplyDelete