talking point #10

"What Can We Do?"

BY: Allan G. Johnson

in this article, Johnson talked about how we need to be the solution in changing the patterns of harassment, privilege, discrimination and violence. people shouldn't get as defensive when some words are spoken. and it gives out strong points to fix the broken. 

"A key to the continued existence of every oppressive system is unawareness, because oppression contradicts so many basic human values that it invariably arouses opposition when people know about it."

when people use the words of racism and sexism, they aren't complaining, they are trying to get

other people to use the words too. I know a lot of people that use these words and people look at

them as if they need to shut up and there is no point of using the words because no one is racist or

sexist any more. but that's not true there are many of people out there that still are. people that aren't

using the words are oblivious of what is going on in today's society.

"Make noise, be seen." "Find little ways to withdraw support from paths of least resistance and people's choice to follow them." "Dare to make people feel uncomfortable, beginning with yourself."

People shouldn't be afraid to be their selves. everyone needs to stop being afraid of being different and needs to start doing what they need to do. by making noise and having people look at you will make others realize what is happening. people shouldn't just try to blend into the society, we need more people to take a stand and be seen.

"Healing wounds is no more a solution to the oppression that causes the wounding than military hospitals are a solution to war. Healing is a necessary process, but it isn't enough."

A lot of older people think that all the wounds are healed, like the women rights and black rights conventions that went on in a earlier time period. yes, there has been change in history, women can vote and get jobs, black can vote and get jobs too, we have a black president, history has changed but i don't think we an say that the wounds have been healed. there are still a lot of problems out in the world that are just being covered up and need to be fixed.

I liked this article because it talks about solutions that can be used to fixed problem in today's society. it was easy to read, and it did repeat in some places but over all it was good. you could really get into it if you wanted to and the points that were made were very strong.