S W 325 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Twelve-Step Program, White Privilege, Pay Attention
Document Summary
We face the challenge to change patterns of exclusion, rejection, privilege, harassment, discrimination, and violence that has existed in this society for hundreds of years. There are people who act out in intentionally oppressive ways. There are also millions of people who want to be part of the solution. Privilege and oppression is a deep and wide problem and we need to be able to see that clearly in order to talk about it in useful ways. Once you can see and talk about what is going on, the next step is to analyze how it works as a system. Privilege is a feature of social systems and not individuals. Capitalism has provided context for privilege and oppression. Difference takes many forms but most importantly are the characteristics that are difficult or impossible to change. Greatest barrier to change is the fact that dominant groups don"t see trouble as their trouble.
