It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because it is something that is taught. People are not automatically discriminatory. The patriarchal system instills hierarchy and advocates for oppression. This system was built in order to maintain a hierarchy based on things like gender, race, and class. Society was built around patriarchy and the ideas that originate from that system continue to be passed down.

The structural aspect of the patriarchy is the root of the issue. Our societal foundation causes the patriarchy to affect institutional, interpersonal, and personal oppression. Patriarchal culture puts men, especially white men, on a pedestal that gives them automatic privilege. This creates a mindset that men are more valuable and socially above others. Fostering misogyny, racism, and sexism. This structural oppression leads into institutional oppression. Since men are made to be superior in society, they are given superior opportunities and treatment. Their institutional advantages are disadvantages and oppressors for others. Institutional and structural oppression then leads into interpersonal and personal oppression because that same hierarchical mindset continues in personal matters. Society enforces that men are superior and everyone else is less than. The mistreatment, unappreciation, abuse, and oppression of those considered “less than” is normalized.

The leaked document about Roe v. Wade was shocking but at the same time not! Abortion has always been a hot topic in America and very polarizing, either you are totally for it or totally against it. You hear a lot of the time that illegalizing abortion is part of the Republican agenda, but I don’t think that is completely true. Yes, the majority of Republicans and red states are against abortion, but political party is not the only thing that dictates this opinion. Religion, moral beliefs, and misinformation are big factors that affect people’s opinions on abortion as well.

More recently after Trump’s election into office, the republican party became extremely illiberal and extremist. Corrupt, racist, sexist, and misogynistic views and opinions were overwhelmingly forced into politics and media. Heightening these shared views and making the discussion about abortion hostile again. We’ve gone through this before with the feminist movement and the passing of Roe v. Wade. The current social and political climate is causing many issues to be brought up, re-opening the wounds in our country and government. (*Also, not all republicans support Trump or are against abortion, I wanted to mention Trump because his run in office kick-started this re-discussion of Roe v. Wade)

As this week’s reading and Professor Waychoff’s announcement pointed to, the main issue that is being overshadowed in the Roe v. Wade debate is that abortion is a right. The argument should not be about whether it is morally right or not, the only focus should be on whether or not it is a right the government should be able to strip away from people. We have to keep in mind: abortion being illegalized will not stop abortions from happening. Abortion being legal ensures people will be able to safely get the procedure done. The reversal of Roe v. Wade is absolutely oppressive. The government knows this would put many people’s lives at risk but is continuing the discussion to cater to the corrupt and sexist people in office. There is no law that holds power over a man’s body so why should it not be the same for women. 

This current Roe v. Wade issue makes me think – why do women have to fight so hard for rights, safety, and respect. Roe v. Wade is meant to protect women and those who need access to a safe medical procedure, so why is the government trying to reverse it. Things like this make it clear and remind us of how oppressive our government is. Its current structure was built to oppress and the efforts to reverse Roe v. Wade show how hard this system is trying to stop progress and liberation.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/03/the-rapist-is-you-chilean-protest-song-chanted-around-the-world-un-iolador-en-tu-camino

I’ve linked a article about a feminist protests against rape I came across in social media. There is video of the protest in the link showing large groups of women, blindfolded, and reciting a chant and choreography titled “A Rapist in Your Path”/”The Rapist is You.” This is a protest chant that originated in Chile to highlight the struggle of women in the Latin American country. The chant became a feminist anthem and spread world wide.

When I first watched it I was in shock and took a moment after to take in what I had watched. It was amazing to see women all around the world taking part in the protest. I think artistic activism like this is so impactful because of the shock factor. The words of the chant alone are extremely moving and provoking but combining with the performance aspect takes the protest wo a new level. Rather than the average protest like a march, seeing these large groups of women chanting and moving in unison, calling out and pointing toward specific people (especially while blindfolded), sends a powerful and unforgettable message.

I was surprised to learn in the film that many girls drop out of school after getting their period. One women in the film spoke about struggling to change her clothes while on her period and attending school. Having to go out off her way because she couldn’t change around men. This issue forces many women to drop out of school and/or not be able to work. Because periods are “taboo,” women don’t have access to proper accommodations that would allow them to work and go to school while on their period. I was also shocked and saddened to hear a woman in the film say she was grateful for the opportunity to work making pads because she can earn the respect of her husband. These women are looked down upon and less respected by men because of not being capable of working. Although it is their patriarchal system that prevents women from working in the first place. 

The patriarchy is a theme in all of this week’s material. “A Birth Story” and “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” talk about healthcare inequality because of gender. Women receiving lesser quality care than men and being stripped of their right of having health care. Men are given the power to make decisions about women’s healthcare and what care they are deserving to have. This maintains the power imbalance between genders and ensures the opression of women. It was also extremely shocking and saddening to read first-hand experiences about the horrible treatment people received when seeking medical help. By doctors and staff who you should be able to trust and assured you are in a safe place.

The way these stories are told reinforce my understanding of medical opression. Recently on social media stories of medical opression, especially for women of color during child birth, are being brought up and talked about more. Horrific stories, similar to the ones in the readings, of women of color being ignored by doctors and staff when they are in pain or are concerned about their baby. This week’s material supported my understanding of medical opression based on theses stories shared in the media. Continuing to spread knowledge and awareness of healthcare inequality based on gender and the repercussions of this issue.  

The quote “We might use our position at the bottom to make a clear leap into revolutionary action.  If black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression” ((1977) The Combahee River Collective Statement), means Black women are at the bottom of America’s hierarchy so they would be the ones to gain freedom last. In order for Black women to be liberated, white women would have to have been liberated already: only after the success of a movement that white people gained from can progression for black people to be considered. We’ve discussed the hierarchy and patriarchy of white America and the overwhelming oppression of Black people, especially Black women. The Combahee River Collective Statement talked about personal polotics and interlocking opression. Shared political and social issues are addressed separately based on your position in America’s hierarchy. As mentioned in the reading, there could be an anti-sexism movement that only focuses on white women. This is where interlocking opression is impactful. Black women can fight for anti-sexism but they would also have to fight for anti-racism. There are multiple oppressions that society puts onto black women simultaneously. All of these oppressions were built into America’s political system which is why it would take the destruction of this system for Black women to gain freedom. 

This same idea contributes to Paris is Burning, identity politics and interlocking opression has to do with your race, gender, sexuality, and class effecting your role in society and politics. People fight for issues that impact themselves which is why when there are movements, white people are the ones that see progression. Black people are viewed as less than in American society and are left to continue to fight and advocate for themselves. The Combahee River Collective Statement and Paris is Burning show identity politics because they had to fight for freedoms for Black, Queer people. There are moments for women as well as Black women and then for Black Queer women. Identity politics shows how you have to fight for your own community. Opressed groups have to unite and support eachother’ s activism to create change.

Race and gender impact your position in society. America is a capitalist society with a system that works to build up some groups and oppress others. White people, specifically white men are at the top of the food chain, given privilege that allows them to climb the capitalist ladder and gain wealth and power. People of color, especially women of color face opression that creates less opportunity and the likeliness of having to work more for a low income. This inequity is necessary for America’s capitalist society to function the way it is currently structured. The upper class (white people/men) benefit from the lower class’s (people of color/women) labor.