How do Johnson’s view of privilege and Fortgang’s view of privilege differ?
Allan Johnson and Tal Fortgang have two contrasting view of what privilege is and how it affects them in society. In the book, Privilege, Power, and difference, Johnson describes privilege as being “unearned entitlements” and “unearned advantages”. (Allan pg. 22, 23) That a dominant group obtains access to a better way of life at the expense of all other groups. Johnson feels that he is included in the privileged class incidentally because of the way society has divided thee groups and who can get which group can get what and when. Although he can enjoy his status of being a part of the privileged group, he acknowledges that it is at the expense of the other groups who may have to suffer because of their social status. Fortgang on the other hand, considers privilege as an unfair label that has been placed on him because of his race. He doesn’t look at is as an added advantage that gives him a leg up over those who are not white heterosexual men.…show more content… Why or why not? Fortgang makes a valid argument because of the way in which people are labeled and treated due to their heredity and gender is unfair. He explained in his article, Checking My Privilege, the struggles that his predecessors had to endure, like fleeing Poland and coming to America to start a new life. Fortgang believes that his family struggles and his own accomplishments are not recognized because of the race he belongs to. Instead his status as being privilege is a
