Privileged Power And Differences Analysis

I really enjoyed reading Janet’s book, and am glad to see diversity discusses by a “white” person. It has really help me come to terms with my position in society and realize that there are many aspects of my life that I take for granted. I am also able to recognize my own beliefs and how they were shaped by my “invisible” culture. I read this book right after I read Privileged, Power, and Difference, and I felt they went very well together. At first, I did not want to accept the idea that I had benefits simply because of my skin color. I am learning to accept this and also to question it. Coming from the dominant culture, I neglect and ignore the fact that other people live their lives differently than I was socialized to do.

Even
I will inevitably pass on elements of my culture, much of the time without realizing. It is my responsibility to communicate with parents and find out what they feel is best for their child. I must question my own reactions and think about why I act the way I do with children, from moment to moment. I may understand myself and my thinking, judging it superior to any other. However, I must work with families instead of for them or against
I have heard “the look” referred to as a Hispanic or African-American practice, but I definitely experienced it as a white child. My mother shot me the look and I immediately stopped whatever I was doing and obeyed her non-verbal communication. She said that sometimes I would even cry, just from her stare. While reading this book, I realized that I also use this technique with the boy that I nanny. He responds immediately as well, and shakes his head back and forth saying, “No.” He seems to just know. He recently has also begun “telling on himself” when he does something wrong. He enjoys flushing the toilet. I usually tell him “Just once” while holding up one finger smiling. If he proceeds to flush, I give him “the look” and he stops. The other day, he went into the bathroom and repeatedly flushed the toilet while I was occupied with laundry. After his flushing, he returned to me, gave me the look, said “No” and held up one finger. Without me saying a word, he knew what he had done “wrong” and almost seemed to provide his own guidance. Janet says, "Guidance has behind it the goal of self-discipline" (p. 134). I feel that this was Max’s way of disciplining himself after he had been guided by