Similar to our other readings, Johnson shows us how humans become defensive in terms of patriarchal standpoints – blaming men because they are men. There are major differences between patriarchy as a society and the people who choose to participate in it. We tend to think that patriarchy only involves the individuals participating in it, but not society as a whole. I came to realize during this reading that it is almost inevitable to not participate in patriarchy, simply because society guides us into thinking it’s what’s right. I also thought it was interesting how people think women are incapable of participating in patriarchy- when really there are so many women who do it unknowingly- even myself. In Lorde’s essay, she states twice that “There is no hierarchy in oppression”. I think this relates to Johnson’s discussion in that everyone and everything participates, not just the rich white people, our policing systems, or the system as a whole. Oppression in patriarchy is run by everyone because it surrounds us every day in magazines, on social media, and on TV. I think it’s also important to note that Lorde is a black lesbian woman but still believes that she cannot afford to fight one form of oppression, as a luxury. She believes that it is her duty to fight from all aspects including her race, sex, and sexual orientation. This stood out to me because her opinion negates the system that guides oppression and patriarchy to be seen as normal and unavoidable.