Johnson Chapter 6 Blog

Johnson goes on to explain how we are socially trained to follow the “path of least resistance” so as not to upset any of the other individuals around us. Even though we may often feel that we are doing what we want, more often than not that very opinion is influenced by what we know to be the most acceptable behavior. Johnson uses a very relatable example of standing in an elevator. He says that you never realize that facing the doors is the “path of least resistance” until you try standing at the back of the elevator, facing the wall. This behavior will make the people around you so uncomfortable that they may confront you and have you turn around because you just aren’t acting “normal” (the way they expect you to behave) (80). He also uses the example of playing a game of Monopoly to tie his points together. He explains how he is not generally a greedy person (even though it is a behavior ingrained in humans), however when he plays Monopoly he will do whatever it takes to win, and won’t feel bad about it. He uses this to explain that it is neither individuals nor social situations that cause privilege or oppression (or in this case greed) it’s the interaction between the two that creates the oppressive social system. To finish out the chapter, Johnson points out how we are all involved in the privilege/oppression cycle even if we aren’t the oppressors or the oppressed. By standing back and letting the system continuously work, we are just as to blame for its perpetuation as anyone else is.

Johnson brings up many good points in this chapter about social “norms” and how people around us become very uncomfortable when they view something as being odd or different. This reminds me of America’s recent fear (maybe distrust is a better word) of Middle-eastern people. It is because of our set standards of normality that makes us feel uneasy when someone walks around on a hot day completely covered from head to toe. In the Middle-east, this would be considered normal and we would probably get a couple looks for wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I thought about something else as I read this though. The way we view social norms depends on our experiences and environment, meaning that they often change, because before 9/11, Muslim people may have gotten stared at for their different style of dress but not as much as today. Society and the way we work as a whole is wildly complex.

I liked this piece more than the other Johnson chapter’s that we’ve read so far probably because I liked the use of everyday examples he gave us. This chapter just seemed more real to me and got me thinking more. Although, I may just have been in a different mind-set while reading it.