chapter 8!!

In chapter eight on getting of the hook: denial and resistance, Johnson describes the many ways in which people try to get off the “hook” in different circumstances. He explains this simply as people who are in the dominant groups look at topics dealing with racism and try to convince them that it is not a problem. Denial is everywhere he goes on to explain, and that the easiest way to get off the “hook” is to just simply hide the issue, not talk about it, and them maybe magically it will go away. Johnson uses several phrases in which one may try to talk themselves out of seeing the discrimination. One such phrase that caught my eye was “ The American dream is alive and well and available to everyone.” This caught my eye because I too have convinced myself with out even realizing that the American dream is available to everyone. But, when actually looking at our society it is very difficult to obtain, and in most cases almost impossible. In the end Johnson explains that being off the hook is like a piece of wood floating with the current. While being on the hook, is having a forward motion and a rudder to steer by (124). He explains, that people in the dominant group need to embrace this hook and not be guilty but to see it as an obstacle or challenge to overcome.
Through out this chapter I have read several good points in detail. For instance, he says that some methods to get off the hook can be blaming the victim or giving it another name. I have seen this on several occasions, but never really realized it until I just heard about it in this book. I just can’t believe how many things that are true and I never realized until someone points them out to me. Basically this was one of my favorite chapters throughout this whole book because everything clicked and kind of blended for me. I probably would have never even realized how many times us, as a society can discriminate with out even knowing until I read this chapter. Simple things like anyone can have the American dream or sexism is no longer a problem anymore are completely false. These problems still do exist and people need to stop getting off the hook and face up to reality and put their foot down. Running away or hiding isn’t the answer its about time that people faced the facts and stopped discrimination.