Privilege, Power, and Difference

Explore the concept of intersectionality as it relates to disability. How do other aspects of identity (such as race, gender, or class) compound the experiences of oppression for individuals with disabilities?

Johnson describes privilege as a paradox. Analyze this statement with examples, explaining how privilege can be both apparent and invisible. How do different types of privilege function? What factors can impact whether or not a privileged individual recognizes their privilege?

Explore the relationship between capitalism and the matrix of domination. How does capitalism reinforce or challenge existing power structures, according to Johnson? To what extent do you agree or disagree with the author and why?

How does the specific language used to describe marginalized groups contribute to their oppression, according to Johnson? Discuss the impact of commonly-used terms and phrases that may seem innocuous but have deep-rooted implications.

Analyze how representation in media (or lack thereof) contributes to the maintenance of privilege for certain groups. How does the portrayal of various social identities in media affect societal perceptions and treatment of these groups?

Explore the concept of “conferred dominance” (See: Index of Terms) as a specific type of unearned advantage. How does this dominance play out in different social settings like law enforcement, education, and/or corporate environments?

Discuss how individual choices are influenced by “paths of least resistance” (See: Index of Terms). in societal systems. Can individuals who follow these paths still be considered complicit in sustaining these systems? What factors can disrupt these paths?

Johnson discusses how blaming the victim serves as a method to avoid responsibility. Analyze how this tactic functions in societal discourse about inequality. What contemporary examples of this phenomenon exist?