Racine Reads

Racine Reads has announced Privilege, Power, and Difference, 2nd edition, by Allan G. Johnson as the tenth community read selection. Racine Reads is a community-wide reading project in which residents are encouraged to read the same book at the same time. This project seeks to promote reading and dialog among the people of Racine County. This book was selected for its emphasis on inclusion, and understanding differences.

Allan G. Johnson (Ph.D in Sociology from the University of Michigan, 1972) has been working on issues of social inequality for more than 20 years. In this short book, he explores the underlying nature and consequences of privilege in our society. The book follows the author's own journey in very accessible language; in almost every paragraph, the reader will see the world in new and different ways, in everything from economics and employment, to sports and politics. Without making us feel guilty or ashamed, Johnson shows how all forms of privilege exist together, and how each of us is tied to, and affected by, this privilege in our society – whether the privilege comes from being white, male, heterosexual, or nondisabled. Johnson helps us understand where we fit in a society built on the structure of privilege.

Johnson says, "Unraveling the knot of privilege begins with getting clear about what privilege really is, about what it's got to do with each of us, and about how everyone can see themselves as part of the process of change toward something better. Based on more than twenty years of work, I try to chart a course organized around three questions: What are we participating in and how are we choosing to participate in it, how do typical ways of thinking about privilege blind us to what's going on, and what can we do to make a difference?"

"My books, The Gender Knot and Privilege, Power, and Difference, are written from a deeply held belief that privilege and oppression are not inevitable features of human life and that the choices each of us make matter more than we can ever know. My work offers a practical, compassionate, and readable guide to understanding what we're stuck in and how to search for a way out."

Several Racine Reads events have been planned for April and May. The programs are free, open to the public and no registration is necessary unless otherwise indicated. The following Racine Reads events have been scheduled:

• Book discussion led by Jessica MacPhail, Wednesday, May 12, 6:30pm, at Gateway Technical College Racine Campus in the library, Lake Building, lower level, Racine
• "Achievement Gap" Town Hall Meeting with Racine Unified School District Superintendent, Thursday, May 13, 6:30pm at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh Street, Racine
• Workshop led by Roseann Mason, "Barriers to Clarity," Tuesday, May 18, 6:30pm at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh Street, Racine
• "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," movie and discussion led by Roseann Mason, Thursday, May 20, 6:00pm at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh Street, Racine
• Anti-Racism Workshop, Wednesday, June 2, 6-9pm; Thursday and Friday, June 3 and 4, 8am-5pm, at the Sienna Center, 5635 Erie Street, Racine (registration required; call Jessica MacPhail, 262.636.9252, to register). Partially funded by the Racine Community Foundation

Past selections of Racine Reads have been:

• Bless me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
• Shoeless Joe by William Kinsella
• Fist Stick Knife Gun by Geoffrey Canada
• Motherland by Fern Schumer Chapman
• Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
• Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman
• The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
• The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel ben Izzy
• The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton

Questions concerning Racine Reads may be directed to Jessica MacPhail at the Racine Public Library, 262.636.9252, or via email at jessica.macphail@racinelibrary.info.