I enjoyed reading  the passage from Audre Lorde’s “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions.” I completely agree that social issues like racism and homophobia interact with one another and should be treated equally seriously. I have a strong commitment to end the cycles of racism and homophobia. 

Another great read was Patriarchy, the System by Alan Johnson. It’s true that some individuals use the term “the system” as a scapegoat to escape responsibility for social concerns. When it comes down to it, though, it is undoubtedly the consequence of a number of systems, all of which were created by humans and are supported in multiple ways by members of our society. We must look further into the roots of patriarchal thoughts and ideas if the patriarchy is to be overthrown. We continue to be impacted by the systems we build because we live in them, which feeds the cycle. We essentially support a system that harms us just by being here and doing what we must to survive. We feel obligated to take part. It certainly gives me a lot to think about. 

Audre Lorde’s piece “There is no Hierarchy of Oppression” argues that intersectionality is crucial to battling oppression. As a result of each person’s unique identity, various modes of discrimination come about. For instance, a white lesbian and a black lesbian both face oppression but in a very different manners. Lorde notes how often times people mistakenly categorize these individuals into the same subgroups. This is detrimental to the nuances of the conversation. Going back to my example,  a conversation involving these two women and (let’s say) other white women, could ignore the way race correlates to gender oppression. What it all boils down to really is that all fights against oppression want to reach the same goal: ridding injustice, equality, and representation for all. Lorde is saying that you can’t really be fighting oppression if you’re not fighting all oppression and if you are not actively trying to learn a diverse range of experiences (other than your own). Allan G. Johnson also points out the importance of nuance and what actions are actually productive when trying to create change in society. His ideas argue that we are not at mercy to “the system” and question what the system actually is. The most significant thing I grasped from this reading was that we should not focus on determining who is more or less the cause of the patriarchy (individual actions) but rather place importance on how we would dismantle a system that perpetuates patriarchal ideology. Essentially meaning how can we restart, educate others, and figure out the real root of the problem. 

There is No Hierarchy of Oppressions by Audre Lorde and Allan Johnson both offer precise analyses of oppression systems and the necessity of unity in social justice movements. By Johnson’s study, patriarchy is a social framework that benefits males and disadvantages women, as well as a set of established attitudes and practices. He shows how this system functions in different aspects of life, including family, job, politics, and culture. The harm it causes to men and women and how it encourages gender injustice is also shown. Johnson highlights the need to understand and fight patriarchy as a structural framework for gender-based oppression rather than blaming particular men or women.
In her essay, Lorde examines several forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism.

After reading it made me believe that all those beliefs are made by society and it’s been happening for years. It is very sad that women have come a long way to fight for equality and their rights. We the future generations are the only person who can change this and I am glad that there’s been changement over the years because I do come from a culture where women have to be obedient towards men and that we should stay home and take care of the kid while men go and provide for the house, I am so glad that I am being able to pursue my education and making the decision of my own. 

A patriarchal society consists of a male-dominated power structure. Patriarchy is a system of relationships, beliefs, and values embedded in political, social, and economic systems that structure gender inequality between men and women. Attributes seen as “feminine” or pertaining to women are undervalued. Men are granted the privilege while women are oppressed. It is a system rather than an individual identity because the system creates the privilege men are presented and at times the system is operated by different genders which enables the privilege. I do believe that in society it has to be such a norm prior to reading the two assigned readings I knew it was a thing but took it as a norm.

It has always been harder for women than for the male population. For some women of color, it is harder than for white women. The overall oppression of women is still the same outcome. I have been in the world of tech for the last 10 years and that is a male-dominated industry and I have had it ruff. I always had to prove my worth no matter what position I was in within the company. I have gotten snarky remarks, looks, and the bold statements of “you’re a woman you don’t know what you’re doing”. Learning about the different levels was an eye-opener and showed me how they all tie into one. I wonder if there will ever be a time there will be equality for all without differences.

In this week’s readings the Patriarchy, the System by Allan Johnson and There is No Hierarchy of oppression by Audre Lorde from what i read i can understand is that What we think of as normal life is related to male privilege, women’s oppression, and the fully, but we also avoid taking responsibility either for ourselves or for patriarchy. Instead, ‘the system’ serves as a vague, unarticulated catch-all, a dumping ground for social problems, a scapegoat that can never be held to account and that, for all the power we think it has, cannot talk back or actually do anything. In the readings it says that she has learned that oppression and the intolerance of difference come in all shapes and sex’s and colors and sexualities and that among those of us who share the goals of liberation and a workable future for our children, there can be no hierarchies of oppression. This I see is something that is true and it’s also a statement that I believe many people would also agree with this to me is seen as the main point of the readings its the oppression on many people with different backgrounds.