SCWAAMP and Johnson

 

        For homework this week, we read S.C.W.A.A.M.P. and Privilege Power and Difference by Alan Johnson. Both of these texts talked about different issues going on around the world. They also give us some examples of this and some ways we can fix them. 

    S.C.W.A.A.M.P. told us about different things that are valued in our culture. Some of these things are straightness, Christianity, whiteness, American-ness, able-bodieness, maleness, and property ownership. S.C.W.A.A.M.P. asks us how we know that these different things are valued so it gets to us think about different ways it is shown in our culture.

    In Privilege Power and Difference by Alan Johnson, he talked about the struggles of being "different" in our society. He said how everyone is a part of the problem even if you don't know it. In the text, it describes ways that these issues are shown and how they are not being solved any time soon. They try to talk about different reasons why people can't get along with one another. Some ideas are how people fear the unfamiliar, there is only one natural sexual orientation, or someone has to be on top. One time, the author was sitting with an African American woman about race when he started to think about how easy he has it. He doesn't get IDed when she probably does, he gets waited on faster than her when going out to eat, she has to fear walking alone at night, and more. Nobody should have to deal with these issues just because you're unlike the "norm". White people have it better than other races, especially if you're a white straight male. In the book, you learn about different ways to notice issues. One way is to just name the issue. When you name it, it draws your attention to the issue.