An oppressive, patriarchal
society eagerly feasts on the violent
inequality of its citizens; indeed, its sole sustenance and nourishment is derived
from it. That being said it would logically follow that this inequality need be
disguised, nuanced, and complex to elude enemies and ensure maximum survival.
What seems to be lacking in much discourse on sexism is how a patriarchal society
affects men. Just like racism and classism, the recipients
of inequality are not exclusively impacted. Yes, men hold the dominant
positions of power in America and are the apparent beneficiaries of a sexist system.
In reality the system is the only part of the mechanism that truly benefits
because it perpetuates its own existence. In this patriarchal society men
overwhelmingly benefit economically and socially, but on an existential
level they are deprived.
When men are denied access and the right to express their own
feelings we strip them of ownership to their emotional property. And in that
absence of ownership a collective anger begins to fester.
-I want to break
briefly and emphasize: I am not saying that women
deny men this access but rather the system.
I am also not attempting to justify or excuse the continued violence and
oppression against women both in America and abroad but rather to create new
strategies/paradigms to combat and alleviate these problems-
Displaced anger coupled with access to power aids in the dehumanization
of women.
There
is of course not one solution. The lens of intersectionality is crucial to see
the microbes moving on the threads of gender, race,
class,
and sex (et al.) relations.
But
if we can reflect on gender identities as fluid concepts then why are we so terrified
of changing them? Men should be
allowed to be a little softer and women should
be allowed to be a little harder. Repressing human expression is a dangerous
method on both ends.
Comments
Post a Comment