Privilege, Power, and Difference

“When most people read the phrase ‘how we as individuals are connected to it,’ they think they're about to be told they've done something wrong, that blame and guilt aren't far behind, especially if they are white or male or heterosexual or nondisabled or of a privileged class. This defensive reaction has done more than perhaps anything else to keep us stuck in our current paralysis by preventing each of us from taking the steps required to become part of the solution.”

Johnson discusses the widespread tendency for people to feel defensive when implicated in societal issues, particularly when they belong to privileged groups. He asserts that this defensive reaction is a significant barrier to societal progress, as it inhibits individuals from acknowledging their roles in perpetuating problems and taking steps toward becoming part of the solution. The passage reveals Johnson's broader argument about the social construction of privilege and its consequences. By highlighting the defensive response as a major impediment, Johnson underscores the necessity of overcoming personal discomfort to address the deeper structures of power and inequality that shape society. In doing so, he introduces the theme of How Individuals Perpetuate or Challenge Systematic Inequalities.

“The problem—and this is where privilege comes in—is that being blind brings with it disadvantages that go beyond not being able to see, whereas not being blind brings with it unearned advantages that go beyond the fact of being able to see.”

Johnson here addresses the concept of “unearned advantages” (See: Index of Terms) that accompany nondisability. He suggests that nondisabled individuals benefit from societal structures that favor them, extending beyond the mere ability to see. This underscores the book's overarching theme that privilege is a pervasive social force rooted in societal norms and structures, reflecting The Impact of Social Categorization on marginalized groups. Johnson highlights how these privileges, often unrecognized by those who benefit, exacerbate inequalities and perpetuate social divisions.