About

Allan G. Johnson is a writer and public speaker who has worked on issues of privilege, oppression, and social inequality since receiving his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan in 1972. He began this work in the 1970s with a focus on men’s violence against women. After 30 years of college teaching, he now devotes himself entirely to writing and public speaking. He has worked with more than 200 schools and organizations in 36 states. His nonfiction books include The Forest and the Trees: Sociology as Life, Practice, and Promise (rev. ed., 2008), The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology (2nd ed., 2000), The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy (rev. ed., 2005), and Privilege, Power, and Difference (2nd ed., 2005).  His writing has been translated into several languages and excerpted in numerous anthologies. The First Thing and the Last is his first published novel.

For information on his books, use the sidebar or “Books” on the menu bar.  For shorter writings that you can read online, see “Essays” on the menu bar.

Allan Johnson is available for presentations and workshops related to issues of social inequality, privilege, and oppression (“Presentations” and “Audio & Video” on the menu bar). In this work, his goal is to present controversial, often difficult issues with gentle and compassionate clarity, in ways that people not only understand, but can relate to on a personal level. He tries to offer a blend of life experience, humor, social reality, audience participation, and clear analysis that opens windows to new and productive ways of thinking and living in the world. As a straight white nondisabled male, he is especially concerned with reaching members of dominant groups who may feel so uncomfortable with issues of privilege that they won’t even talk about them.

He is also available for public readings, discussion, and book signings related to his work as a novelist.

Photo by Mark Bennington