Privilege, Power, and Difference

Johnson argues that privilege and power are fundamental mechanisms that shape societal interactions and structures, perpetuating inequality and oppression. His analysis elucidates the unconscious benefits and unearned advantages that certain societal groups hold over others, all of which significantly impact social dynamics and individual lives.

Johnson discusses privilege in terms of “unearned entitlements,” which are benefits that everyone should have, and “conferred dominance,” where certain groups have authority over others. He explains that unearned entitlements become privileges when they are available only to specific groups, which reinforces systemic inequalities. This framework helps to dissect how societal benefits are distributed unevenly—and often invisibly—among different social groups.

Moreover, the author explores the interplay between power and privilege, where power structures in society are designed to maintain and reinforce the status quo of privilege distribution. Johnson points out that these structures manifest in various societal institutions, including law, education, and media, which all operate in ways that predominantly benefit certain groups while disadvantaging others. This systemic favoring is crucial in understanding the perpetuation of inequality.

Additionally, Johnson introduces the concept of the “matrix of domination” (51) to explore how different axes of identity—race, gender, class—intersect to compound experiences of oppression or privilege.