Resistance to Acknowledging Privilege or “Isms”
Ways to Get off ‘The Hook”
The following are some ways that we resist understanding privilege when talking
about identity, power, privilege, oppression and discrimination
 DENY PRIVILEGE OR PREJUDICE
 MINIMIZE ITS EXTENT OR EFFECT
 BLAME THE PERSON, NOT THE SYSTEM
 BLAME THE VICTIM
 CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE…OR RATIONALIZE IT
 IT DOESN’T COUNT IF I DON’T MEAN IT
 I’M ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS
 I’M SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT
Johnson, Allan G. (2006). Privilege, Power and Difference 2nd Edition . New York, NY: The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.