I enjoyed this piece because I too would like to see a far more peaceful, collaborative, and just world (and day to day life). I will argue with you that a matriarchy might not be any better. I've seen (first hand) women with power do terrible things (and while you might suggest that that's because they were raised within a patriarchy and that's what they know, I'm not so sure). I've also seen men with power do beautiful things. I think the issue is power itself and how too much of it just mangles the brain like an addictive drug, and that we are both human and primate (and if we look to our cousins, we see how patriarchy and matriarchy play out in terms of power dynamics-they are there). For me the solution is more balance and more checks and balances towards accountability (the 20th century is by far from a perfect example, but certainly there are some movement forward in terms of shifting culture and shifting out injustices through the will of people).
I don't know that we know what a matriarchy would look like, and it might be ideal and utopian, or it might play out power in ways that harm. That's my fear, from 54 years of age and watching systems of power warp people's ability to use power well.
However, Patriarchy as it stands, sucks hard and it does need to end. But I just don't want to see a pendulum swing in some other oppressive direction. We have to learn how to step outside power itself, I think. Much harder.
This gender essentialism is so concerning to me. As is the centering of the Badness of the world on Men rather than on Whiteness. As white women I think it’s especially dangerous to distance ourselves from whiteness by leaning into gender identity. Toxic masculinity isn’t about upholding Men, it’s about upholding power and whiteness. This post really strikes me as xenophobic and lacking some crucial intersectionality analysis. There is SO much written about this from BIPOC feminists, from radical queers, I’m honestly surprised at this (not great) take.
I don’t disagree with any of your words about intersectionality-- if you took the time to look at any of my other work on YouTube or Instagram I believe you might not have this opinion on my “not great” work. You are welcome to publish your own newsletters about intersectionality and whiteness, and I’ll happily cheer you on. My own identity and my own family occupy multiple lanes-- queer, white, Jewish, Christian, trans, biracial... I have multiple passports, so calling my writing xenophobic is honestly laughable to me! I’m curious as to why you want to spend your time degrading another writer’s work instead of raising your voice or uplifting those you find more worthy.
I enjoyed this piece because I too would like to see a far more peaceful, collaborative, and just world (and day to day life). I will argue with you that a matriarchy might not be any better. I've seen (first hand) women with power do terrible things (and while you might suggest that that's because they were raised within a patriarchy and that's what they know, I'm not so sure). I've also seen men with power do beautiful things. I think the issue is power itself and how too much of it just mangles the brain like an addictive drug, and that we are both human and primate (and if we look to our cousins, we see how patriarchy and matriarchy play out in terms of power dynamics-they are there). For me the solution is more balance and more checks and balances towards accountability (the 20th century is by far from a perfect example, but certainly there are some movement forward in terms of shifting culture and shifting out injustices through the will of people).
I don't know that we know what a matriarchy would look like, and it might be ideal and utopian, or it might play out power in ways that harm. That's my fear, from 54 years of age and watching systems of power warp people's ability to use power well.
However, Patriarchy as it stands, sucks hard and it does need to end. But I just don't want to see a pendulum swing in some other oppressive direction. We have to learn how to step outside power itself, I think. Much harder.
I don’t agree entirely with your opinion, but I so value hearing it! Thank you for being kind and respectful. I appreciate your words.
I appreciated this essay. Related to women and the church, I felt this article was important: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/october/wilkin-women-ministry-leaders-church-staff-wages-lifeway.html
Thank you for sharing this!
This gender essentialism is so concerning to me. As is the centering of the Badness of the world on Men rather than on Whiteness. As white women I think it’s especially dangerous to distance ourselves from whiteness by leaning into gender identity. Toxic masculinity isn’t about upholding Men, it’s about upholding power and whiteness. This post really strikes me as xenophobic and lacking some crucial intersectionality analysis. There is SO much written about this from BIPOC feminists, from radical queers, I’m honestly surprised at this (not great) take.
I don’t disagree with any of your words about intersectionality-- if you took the time to look at any of my other work on YouTube or Instagram I believe you might not have this opinion on my “not great” work. You are welcome to publish your own newsletters about intersectionality and whiteness, and I’ll happily cheer you on. My own identity and my own family occupy multiple lanes-- queer, white, Jewish, Christian, trans, biracial... I have multiple passports, so calling my writing xenophobic is honestly laughable to me! I’m curious as to why you want to spend your time degrading another writer’s work instead of raising your voice or uplifting those you find more worthy.