Audre Lorde, “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions”  spoke about being apart of the black and lesbian community and being oppressed because those communities are seen as abnormal. She stated in her writing “Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am lesbian” which shows that direction she takes she faces obstacles of oppression. She mentions that there can be no hierarchy of oppression She has this concept of concurring all the oppression and having a society where being a woman, lesbian, black or a mother does not result in oppression. Allan G. Johnson “Patriarchy, the system: An it, Not a he or an Us” expressed the importance of acknowledging patriarchy as a system and not as an individual. Patriarchy is a society organized around certain kinds od social relationships and ideas. The reading discusses the male dominated society we live in and shows the relationship between the individual and social structure. Johnson states that it is necessary for a person to be outwardly oppressive to be participants in an oppressive society, because if a society is inherently oppressive, individuals will “accept, identify with, and participate in it as normal” It is through the systematic encouragement of oppression and privilege that mistreatment and wounding of certain groups can continue, unaddressed.

The four levels in that demonstrates the impact that patriarchy has on the society are “Personal” which has to do with the feeling, thoughts, and belief about others whether conscious or unconscious. This can be seen as a man (breadwinner) having the final decisions in his family arrangements. “Interpersonal” which are action that can inflict violence. “Institutionalized Patriarchy” are policies, practices, and procedures that an organization can give priority over one another. In some cases, men are given managerial positions over women. “Cultural/Structural” are what is considered to be “true”, “right, “normal” or “beautiful”.