It’s important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity because patriarchy in this case is a system of society or government in which men have power and women are largely excluded from it. It’s best to see patriarchy as a system rather than a person because anyone can take over. If patriarchy was considered just an individual identity well let’s put it this way, may ask yourself who does patriarchy advantage and how? Well Allan G. Johnson defines patriarchy as a society that promotes male privilege by being male dominated, male identified, and male centered. At this point, males are who are being paid more, respected more, have the privilege of feeling safe in their day-to-day lives, and are given more promotions. Then on the other side, we have women that are the ones being disadvantaged and oppressed not by individual men, but by an underlying bias of a patriarchal society. They are being disadvantaged in that women still must work, often the main caregiver for their child, paid less, treated unfairly; harassed, gender stereotypes, sexism in the workplace, inequality in the workforce, and the lack of feeling safe in their daily lives.

Johnson addresses the common misconceptions and stereotypes that people inaccurately identify with the term patriarchy. He notes that we are all part of the system and to see the change we need to be aware of our actions. The system is made up of cultural symbols and ideologies that influence how we socialize and participate in society. 

In the second reading of this week, Audre Lorde Discusses the intersectional thinking that supports oppression. Lorde wants us to understand that there is more than one problem when reading “there is no hierarchy of oppression” she mentions that she is black in that community and a lesbian, and that any attack on black people is a lesbian and homosexual issue, As a society, we must make the necessary changes. She argues that feminism encompasses all identities, without prioritizing some oppressions over others.

Watching the video and doing the reading helped me define the concepts of privilege and oppression: that privilege is an unearned advantage, right or that is not available to everyone, but only a specific group of people. Oppression is the exercise of authority or power cruelly or unjustly. Human beings can be miserable without being oppressed. One can not judge oppression by looking at one incident. Some way that I feel I experience privilege is I have hard-working parents who work nights or weekends to support the family or even to provide food and other things. I experienced privilege when I was able to go to school when others can not go to school. I experienced oppression when I worked as a cashier at a small store and I have been hearing people who don’t have anything nice to say but like to talk about how the people in my country are disgusting. When my people even the people that my parents have come from, are working hard people. This person doesn’t even know what type of person we are. There is this thing where racism can be an oppression thing for people. 

In the reading “Oppression” by Marilyn Frye, Frye points out very good points and how is discussed how a birdcage symbolizes the systematic oppression of women. I do agree with her point of view that women are oppressed, but also I do not agree that it’s just women who are oppressed. Those men are also oppressed too. But also I think that women are more oppressed than men. “We need to think clearly about oppression, and there is much that mitigates against this. I do not want to undertake to prove that women are oppressed (or that men are not), but I want to make clear what is being said when we say it. We need this word, this concept, and we need it to be sharp and sure.” (Pg11). Frye goes on to point out that the root of the word oppression is an element of the press. As she explains “Something pressed is something caught between or among forces and barriers which are so related to each other that jointly restrain, restrict, or prevent the thing’s motion or mobility. Mold. Immobilize. Reduce…”. Frye also points out how men can’t cry, women can’t take up space. Here she wants to suggest that one restriction is an element of oppression and the other no. 

To move beyond the gender binary for Alok means to live in the world as a person who does not belong on either side of the traditional gender binary meaning strictly male or female. According to the reading it says, “The gender binary is more concerned with gender norms than it is with us. We are led to believe that there are only two genders, “man” and “woman” and these genders are narrow, separate, and opposite. From a very young age, we are taught that this is how things have always been and that this is the only way to live. We are taught that masculinity belongs to men, femininity belongs to women, and that these are the only two options for self-expression. Not true.” (Pg27). In other words, Alok goes in-depth on what gender binary is concerned more about and how we are taught that women are considered this and a man is concerned about this when it’s not true. So moving beyond the gender binary is just about moving towards an acknowledgment of multiplicity. Other than there being only two options, instead of two of an infinity of options. Alok believes that there are multiple genders. The reading states, “In many of these societies, people living outside of the binary were and continue to be recognized as leaders…..Even in the western world, pink was once considered a masculine color, and heels were actually first worn by men!” (Pg39-40). Here you can see that not only Alok points out that the color pink is not only for girls but color for men as well. but also it brings us back to how a lot of us have been taught that gender means either boy or girl right. but for any girl who has worn pants, or any guy who likes pink, we intend to realize that it’s not a binary. That being said, in some way my gender identity goes against the binary norm if I don’t identify myself as a female or if my gender does not fall in any of the categories of male or female. My gender “female” fits in the binary norm in that the binary gender norm only recognizes two genders, male and female. If I dress and act like a woman then that’s where my own identity fits in the binary gender. If not some people want to assume that you are a woman you should dress like one and act like it. 

In the essay, “Feminist Politics Where We Stand” bell hooks defines feminism as: “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” To me, this definition means that feminism aims to destroy patriarchal political systems that discriminate against women. The belief in and desire for equality between men and women. Back in the old days women weren’t able to vote or work or couldn’t do what a man could do. All a woman can do is stay home as a housewife. This power that men had back then that women didn’t have. After reading the chapter, bell hooks took the concept of feminism and explained how it has been shaped and formed over time. Going back to her meaning of feminism as she describes a  movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. She believes that, well the way she defines it respectably that it does not state that men are the problem or the enemy but says that sexism is the problem, whether men, women, adults, or children cause it. As she states in the introduction, “I love it because it so clearly states that the movement is not about being anti-male. It makes it clear that the problem is sexism. And that clarity helps us remember that all of us, female and male, have been socialized from birth on to accept sexist thought and action.”(pg4) As well in the chapter it states that. “As contemporary feminism progressed, as women realized that males were not the only group in our society who supported sexist thinking and behavior – that females could be sexist as well – anti-male sentiment no longer shaped the movement’s consciousness.” (Pg6).  The only reason why she believes that is because every time feminism is being brought up people think of anti-male attitude. Bell hooks try to go deeper into explaining herself adding on feminism.

After reading Sex and Gender 101, it mentioned that “ In American, boys are taught and expected to be tough….., interested in sports, cars, guns and climbing and the corporate ladder, and have an insatiable interest in superheroes and the color”. Then it states, “On the contrary, girls are taught and expected to be soft, submissive,…disinterested in sports and cars with zero career aspirations and have an insatiable interest in princesses and the color pink.” I mean when I was eight I liked the color blue and now I like the color black. I dressed as a boy with boy clothes on. I mean even if two genders are different I think a male and a female can do what they like. Like a female can like male stuff and for males can like female stuff. As for children I feel bad that some parents don’t allow them to for example, won’t let their son play with dolls or not let their daughter play with boy toys. Let alone let the children decide and play with what they like or their interests.

Hello everyone, my name is Jesica Rodriguez. I am 21 years old and Mexican/American. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I have a dog. His name is Salchicha. My outside interest is taking a walk with my dog at Prospect Park. Some of my other interests are traveling, spending time with my friends and family, and music. Well, traveling is something that I would like to do more going forward in my life because it is something that I will enjoy. Like exploring new places, trying new things, different activities, food, learning about other cultures.

 I am majoring in early childhood education. The reason why I chose to major in that major is that as I grew up I have been babysitting up until now and on my siblings. I have a total of four younger siblings. I have always wanted to know more about children and other skills as becoming a teacher I will need to use one day when I’m in a classroom full of kids. As well I always like seeing children smile, laugh and I want to make a change for the children and teach them the right way.

I’m taking this course because it’s a requirement for my major but overall I’m excited to take this course and to learn more about women and their history. To hear and learn more about other women whose voice was not heard or maybe someone who I might not know about, or learn more accomplishments others do and hear what was the reason for them to speak up and make a change in this world.