WHAT CAN WE DO? Becoming Part of the Solution Allan G. Johnson By: Meg, Catherine, and Ally

Stubborn Ounces (To One Who Doubts the Worth of Doing Anything if You Can’t Do Everything) You say the little efforts that I make will do no good; they will never prevail to tip the hovering scale where Justice hangs in balance. I don’t think I ever thought they would. But I am prejudiced beyond debate In favor of my right to choose which side shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight.

Summary The article “WHAT CAN WE DO? Becoming Part of the Solution” by Allan G. Johnson addresses the idea of acknowledging how oppression is a general part of life. Not only in third world countries, but in countries that are considered first world too. This article does not focus on one type of oppression; Johnson addresses the problems of gender inequality, race, and sexual orientation. Johnson believes that although we may never achieve complete equality in everyday life, we are making huge strides each day. He focuses on the awareness of these issues not as a solution but as a step to making a change.

Discussion Questions The article says that “…changing people isn’t enough. The solution also has to include entire systems, such as capitalism…” Can such large institutions be changed? Why isn’t changing people enough? What needs to be done to make changes about the oppression in society? Is awareness alone enough to make these changes or does something else need to be done? How does laughing at racist and heterosexist jokes feed the acceptance of oppression in youth?