Blog post # 5

Getting on the Hook

No one likes to see themselves as connected to someone else’s misery so the best thing to do is to get off the hook. That is a common practice which is followed by the privileged society according to Johnson.

The key tactic to get off the hook is to use denial and minimize the existence of problem. It could be in any way even by acknowledging that the problems do exist and I know it, but it does not count that much. It means as compared to other problems I have, this particular problems is not much big of a problem to be considered. It gives a notion that it is not a problem to be considered for the one privileged but for the people of color it is a big problem to be considered. Privilege people don’t see it as a problem because they do not have to face it in day to day dealings. Also the kind of behavior seen when talking about racism is denying that it exist like saying what are you talking about, the denial that the problem doesn’t exist at all rather they do enjoy advantages which balances the privileged position. Another way to deny the race fact is to say that it is their inner guilt and doesn’t exist in reality.

Blaming the victim itself rather than the system is another way to suppress the issue like “If the Blacks were smarter or worked harder or got an education, they’d be okay”. This idea instead of solving the issue makes it harder to solve. These thinking in common points that the people who are the sufferers (oppressed ones) are the ones at fault and not the one privileged.

The experiment which was conducted in 1990 by ABC news “True Colors”. It showed two men similar in every observable character except race. Being an Asian I can relate myself to it. At a shopping center a lady behind the counter started talking to the white female customer standing in front of me for a considerable long time, asking her about her family and that if she has the store’s card and if not then if she wants one. When I came she just had a spat face which was shocking to some extent. How she was a cheerful women just a moment before. Well she didn’t ask me if I had a store’s card or if I wanted one, which in my opinion she should have done as a part of her job. Here I would also like to say that only a few people respond roughly, but the main thing is that problem do exist and needs to be solved

To solve this issue or to interrupt this cycle there is a great need to be aware of the problem at first. Considering that it was a problem in history will only add to make the matter more terrible. Educating the privilege society about the problem which is their because of the continuous denial and resistance. Making laws against discriminatory behavior. Providing information to people of color what they should do If they feel discriminated? Make laws which helps to discontinue these discriminatory actions any further.