Melissa. Valle Discussion #5 

The 1^st reading “Patriarchy, the system” educated and explained to me the meaning of the word.  The understanding is that the word patriarchy is related to men because it identifies that all men are automatically oppressive. Johnson made me realize that there are stereotypes and misconceptions of the word that the world has about the word. T. Maybe because there are many distinct levels of meaning. People will misinterpret what you might be saying. We are all shaped by the system and shaped by society. Knowing that we did not create the system our existence has perpetuated it. We all have played a part in this system without realizing it, subconsciously or unconsciously. I think if we all become more educated and realize what Is going on we can all make a change but only if we speak up about it. How about we educate ourselves and make our own system of educating people on the right meaning? 

“There is no Hierarchy of Oppressions” Audre Lorde is so smooth with her writing.  Audre speaks about oppression and the intolerance that comes in all types of forms and shapes. To be free from oppression one needs to take on all the forms of oppression. Audre states “I simply do not believe that one aspect of myself can profit from the oppression of any other part of my identity.”  Any one of us can be oppressed but that does not make us any less important to be heard. My understanding she is explaining that intersectionality meaning “because you are a minority you get special treatment in the eyes of some” These are all aspects of identify and these identities can overlap. Audre Lorde educates us that all oppression’s must be recognized and fought against. Oppression is all around us, it is important to understand a person’s feelings regardless of what they are.