Question 1: How do systems of privilege and oppression function in our society? How do we combat these systems?

Systems of privilege and oppression function due to an unwillingness of those with power to make any concessions to allow for a society that uplifts all of its participants and allows them to flourish. Those with the most privilege are by nature the least aware of it. One way to combat these systems is by those with power and privilege stepping aside and giving up their place at the table to allow someone else a seat. This can include listening to and reflecting on the experiences of marginalized people without questioning the validity of those experiences. This can also include donating money to larger organizations that benefit marginalized groups. Being an ally also means calling out the hate speech of others, especially when no one else is around to see you do it. 

Question 2: What is the concept of intersectionality and why is it important in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies?

Intersectionality is the concept that systems of oppression are intrinsically linked and therefore must be dealt with holistically. For example, it is not a sensible or intersectional approach to combat sexism while ignoring racism, and vice versa. Modern feminism prides itself on taking intersectionality into consideration in a way that previous waves of feminism hadn’t. The Riot Grrrl movement which occurred as part of third wave feminism was criticized as catering to white women and being exclusive of trans people. First and second wave white feminism has been criticized as only being focused on the rights of white women while ignoring racism and falling short as allies to women of color. Intersectional feminism recognizes that to ignore issues of race is racist, and there can be no justice without justice for all. 

Question 3: Why is it important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity?

Systems are made up of many parts which reinforce one another. There is no one person to blame for the patriarchy. Understanding that patriarchy is a system allows us to examine our roles within the system. Through examining these roles we can begin to question how we are complicit in the patriarchy. Examination helps us to choose actions which dismantle the system rather than reinforce it. Focusing too heavily on individuals who represent worst of the patriarchy detracts from the relationships we have with those around us that we are actually able to influence. Oftentimes this means family who disagree with us. We have a better chance of reaching them than someone they have no emotional attachment to. 

Question 4: How is gender constructed and learned in our society? How do we perform gender?

Before we are even born, the expectations of our assigned gender are placed upon us. Sometimes this is blatant as with a gender reveal party. Sometimes this is more insidious as brothers and sisters are socialized and treated differently by the same set of parents. From a young age, girls are encouraged to conform through playing with dolls and pink toys, and boys by playing with action figures and cars. We perform gender through conforming to behaviors that are seen as the most socially acceptable for our gender. For men, this may mean holding the door for women. For women, this may mean not leaving the house without makeup on. 

Question 5: What is the difference between sex and gender? How are sex and gender conflated (converged and confused) within our culture?

Sex is the sexual organs that we are born with. Gender is a social construct. Sex and gender are often used interchangeably and seen as package deals. In reality, a person with a penis can identify as female, a person with a vagina can identify as male, and a person with something in between can identify as somewhere in between, and all of the aforementioned combos can be scrambled interchangeably to produce innumerable amounts of gender identities that are as unique as the people who they belong to. Traditionally, non-typical sex and gender identities have been seen as strange, improper, and unacceptable by mainstream society.

Question 6: What is a double bind? How do double binds function within our society?

A double bind is when a marginalized person’s actions will be criticized no matter which path they choose to take. An oppressive society paints people into corners, only allowing them to be one thing or the other. Either way they are doomed to fail. An example of this is women being criticized for showing “too much” skin but also being criticized for not showing enough. By showing too much skin, women are derided as sluts or “asking for it”. By covering up or dressing more conservatively they are seen as prude or stuck up. Ultimately, marginalized people are subjected to double binds due to the contempt of the greater cisgender white patriarchal society.