envy v.s. jealousy - reflection on "privilege, power and difference" by alan johnson (01.22.24)

 Blog Post 1 - 01.22.24

Reflection on “Privilege, Power and Difference” by Alan Johnson

 

Envy. In my opinion, the controversial and avoidant nature of prejudice stems from that dark human desire for what others have. To reflect upon your own experience and still long to take from others, to express that cruel human need to stomp your feet and proclaim that “if I cannot have it, no one can.” Alan Johnson’s text, entitled “Privilege, Power and Difference” makes many valid points about the all-inclusive tendencies of bias and the inability to not be part of these larger social issues, however, I feel that after reflecting on his words I’ve discovered a deeper understanding of what may drive these problems. To envy others is to give in to that ingrained fear of missing out on what others have, to react with hatred and bitterness at the state of your own life in comparison with others. 

I ask you to consider a stereotypical bigot - we like to deceive ourselves into believing that bigotry and hatred are the nature of the elite. That those who have more than we will ever see in our lives take pride and joy as they glare down on us common folk with bitterness. However, if we consider those who truly have the most bitterness within their heart we can observe that they are much like you and me. White people who struggle with money and power. Straight people who cannot find romance in their lives and grow cruel because of this. Cisgendered citizens who mask transphobia as feminism or out of “care for the children.” Bigotry is far more common with people who are not content with their lives and are fearful of the progression of society as they consider they may be left behind. It may sound crazy, but I ask you to put yourselves in the shoes of a white man who cannot get a girlfriend and consider how that deep-instilled insecurity may rot away over time and turn to prejudice. The repeated rejection this person will feel begins to contort their opinions and turn their fear into hate. The envy, the gut rolling, eye twitching envy, sits heavy in our stomachs as we realize time and time again that maybe we will never have what other people do. 

Envy is an unavoidable aspect of our lives and in Western culture, we turn away from the phrase and all of its ugliness. Western culture specifically refuses to name envy as it is, breeding communities that harbor that dark emotion into what they consider to be objective fact. Take the incel community for example, men who cannot find love so they defend their poor romantic performance as proof of women being evil succubuses who only care for money. These communities harbor such deep fear and envy that they catastrophize their issues and stray so far from their envy that it becomes fact in their mind. Envy, in my opinion, controls bigotry. The ability to be self-aware about our envious tendencies and our human need to be unique is the truest way to protect against bias. Hate is fueled by fear, inadequacy, and avoidance. I believe that if we will ourselves to reflect upon our envy, and to call our bias what it is, we can begin to dismantle these systems of oppression. 

With this post, I’ve included a hyperlink to Merriam-Webster’s definitions of envy and jealousy, as well as an infographic to aid in the understanding of the difference between these two terms. Please check them out so you can understand the importance of recognizing envy as a separate emotion from jealousy and why it can be dangerous to avoid discussing envy in relation to bigotry!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/jealous-vs-envious 

To Share: How do we as a Western society define envy, and what makes it different from jealousy? Consider that when discussing envy, there is no personal loss. There is only a deep want for more. While jealousy directly involves those around us, such as being jealous that someone is flirting with your romantic partner, envy is a much larger and more all-encompassing emotion. Envy is an unavoidable aspect of our lives and in Western culture, we turn away from the phrase and all of its ugliness. Western culture specifically refuses to name envy as it is, breeding communities that harbor that dark emotion into what they consider to be objective fact.  What do you think about the relationship between envy and prejudice? Do you agree with the points I’ve made about envy as a driving force for bias or do you believe this issue may be more related to another topic?