http://paulkivel.com/articles/sexismand ... remacy.pdf
Are You Challenging Sexism and Male Supremacy?
by Paul Kivel
There have been many forms of patriarchal societies over the
ages. Currently in the U.S., patriarchy takes the form of sexism and
male supremacy. By that I mean that we currently live within the
pervasive, systematic, everyday system of exploitation,
marginalization, objectification and violence directed towards girls
and women (sexism), and the pervasive, systematic, everyday
system of benefits, power, prestige, inclusion, and privileges
afforded to men (male supremacy). Of course, our ruling class and
power elite also use capitalism, racism, heterosexism, and other
forms of exploitation and violence to maintain their power.
I am not going to document the massive economic exploitation of
women’s paid and unpaid work, the objectification and
exploitation of women’s bodies, the systematic discrimination
women face in wages, benefits, housing, health care,
transportation, political representation, and other essential areas of
life. These forms of exploitation, objectification, and violence,
compounded by race, class, religion, immigration status, sexual
orientation, and disability, are massively documented and visible to
anyone who has an open mind. A few examples should suffice.
Women make, on average, approximately three-fourths of what
men make a lifetime. (White women make somewhat more than
three-quarters, and women of color make a lot less). That means
that if a man makes $40,000 and a woman makes $30,000 a year
she will end up with hundreds of thousands of dollars less than he
will. The higher the income level the more dramatic the difference.
Women, on average, perform one entire hour more a day of unpaid
housework, childcare, and care of others than men do, every day of
the year.
Men will sexually assault one out of every four women over a
lifetime and at least 3-4 million men a year batter their partners. In
addition, men will sexually harass 50-80% of women who work
(most women) and almost every woman experiences fear and harassment on the street at some time in her life. This is a form of
control and systematic terrorism of the entire female population
but child sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual
assault and sexual harassment are still seen as women’s issues and
are rarely on social justice agendas.
Visible, public images of women being raped, assaulted, demeaned
and abused are everywhere as unavoidable, hate-filled, and
constant reminders to women that they are vulnerable to violence
from men, and constant messages to boys and men (through
advertising, videogames, movies, TV, pornography and
prostitution) that they have the right to use women for their sexual
gratification.
Political issues, natural events, and everyday life are not
commonly analyzed through a gender lens. Therefore the impact
on women of various groups is not visible, does not guide our
analysis and perpetuates the entire system of exploitation. For
example, three-quarters to four-fifths of the people killed by the
’04 Tsunami were women of color. The majority of those left
behind in New Orleans were poor women of color. The impact of
environmental exploitation, degradation, and dumping falls
substantially on women, particularly on women of color. Etc.
As a man, and of course as a white, able-bodied, straight man of
financial security, my life floats on a sea of invisible labor
performed by women, primarily women of color in this country
and around the world.
• My clothes are made primarily by women of color
under exploitive circumstances.
• My food is grown, harvested, processed, and often
cooked primarily by women of color under exploitive
circumstances.
• My children have been cared for primarily by women
child care workers, teachers, recreation program
workers, and babysitters who make much less than
me for their work.
• Sick or infirm members of my family have been cared
for by women in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices
and other care facilities.
• The tedious work of organizing, providing food for,
staffing, publicizing and cleaning up after most of the
shows, family celebrations, concerts, meetings, and
public events I attend is been done primarily by
women.
• Almost all of the electronics goods I use, including
cell phones, computers, TVs, DVDs, cameras, and
microwave ovens are made by women of color under
exploitive circumstances.
It is political that this is not widely acknowledged and talked
about. It is political that when issues of sexism and male
supremacy are raised they are usually denied or minimized. It is
political that women are commonly thought to have achieved great
success in our society and that we have eliminated most barriers to
gender equity. It is political that we (particularly men) don’t use a
gender lens all day, everyday, to see and understand the world.
I want to offer some simple suggestions for putting these issues on
a social justice agenda.
Use a gender lens—as well as economic, racial and other
lens—all of the time. Constantly ask yourself “What is the
difference that gender makes in this situation?”
Always ask, “
Where are the women—why aren’t they in
leadership?” “
Where are the other women—which groups of
women are not at the table?
Women constitute over half the population. Notice and respond
when they do not have representation, leadership, and power.
Interpersonal violence is a social justice issue. Unless each of us
and our communities address and heal from the interpersonal
violence that tears our lives apart we will not be able to work
together, nor to foster the full, creative participation of vast
numbers of people, nor will we be able to meet their needs for
safety, healing, liberation, and justice.
Make sure that women’s contributions are recognized and
honored. Notice and draw attention to the unpaid and
unrecognized work that women do to support our daily lives, to
sustain those in need, and to make things happen.
Interrupt male cultures of power that operate to exclude,
marginalize, or disempower women. Notice how men resist
accepting responsibility for male privilege and male supremacy
and speak out.
Become more knowledgeable about women’s cultures, women
histories, women’s contributions, and women’s lives.
Look to progressive women and women’s organizations for
leadership.
Strategize about who you can organize with to address issues of
sexism and male supremacy.
Identify where you have work to do to
build and sustain intimate,
family, and community relationships built on complete respect,
consent, and mutuality.
Identify your next steps in challenging sexism and male
supremacy.
You are now officially 