Privilege, Power, and Difference

Johnson describes the initial human tendency to deny any personal connection to societal problems, thus avoiding responsibility (or “getting off the hook”). Johnson points out that people frequently deny or minimize the existence or severity of issues such as racism and sexism, claiming they are no longer problems or that their impact is negligible. This denial is particularly pronounced in dominant groups, who benefit from privilege and are often the least aware or least willing to acknowledge it.

Johnson highlights that denial also extends to reinterpreting or dismissing the experiences of oppressed groups. For instance, some may admire the resilience of marginalized groups without addressing the oppressive circumstances that require such resilience, thus neglecting the root causes of inequality. Additionally, Johnson discusses the tactic of victim-blaming, whereby societal issues are attributed to the behaviors or traits of the oppressed. He cites the harmful stereotype perpetuated by some whites that if Black people were “smarter, worked harder, or got an education” (110), their social standing would improve, ignoring systemic barriers and reinforcing racial stereotypes that shift the blame away from structural issues and onto individuals.

Johnson points out that issues like gender inequality are often trivialized or misrepresented as mere cultural misunderstandings or differences in communication