Talking Point 1
"This defensive reaction has done more than perhaps anything else to keep us stuck in our current paralysis by preventing each of us from taking the steps required to become part of the solution." (vii)
This quote made me reflect deeply on my own reactions to disagreement, especially when I am the person in the wrong. When I was younger, I used to become defensive and block myself off from connection. I believe that what has allowed me to become someone fighting for intersectional solutions is an openness to being wrong and to connections with others, even (and especially) if they think differently than I do.
Talking Point 2
This whole paragraph really jumped out to me. I have felt this same struggle so many times, especially when talking to people who hold privileges that I do not hold. I find myself fearing their reaction and their defensiveness, while at the same time knowing that I hold the same capability for defensiveness within me. How do I expect people to learn with me if I won't say fire? The fact of these words (dominant, subordinate, oppression, etc.) shouldn't be taboo, and we can only change that by saying them over and over and over.
This also made me reflect on the Don't Say Gay laws. My feelings about this topic can be summed up by this protest sign:
Talking Point 3
Reflection question on page 25: What happens when those with "unearned privilege" become threatened by equality? How can we navigate this reaction?
These questions made me think of this study: Only For My Kid: How Privileged Parents Undermine School Reform
Argument
The author "Johnson" argues that in order to address privilege and become part of the solution, we have to name it and give each other the language to become comfortable talking about it.
