Starting today and running through the weekend, there will be a conference for men and women at the University of Oregon titled, “Against Patriarchy: a step toward the abolition of male privilege.” I know a lot of men are threatened by the concept of rejecting their privilege. These men need to ask themselves where this privilege comes from and how others are affected by it.
By its very definition, a privilege or power granted to one person or group requires the disempowerment of another person or group. No one can have an advantage without someone else having a disadvantage. In the case of sexism and patriarchy, it is men who are granted power and privilege. Therefore, it is men who bear the responsibility of rejecting that privilege and starting to level the playing field. This conference is not about blaming all men for the existence of sexism and male privilege; it is rather about helping men take responsibility for the privileges an unfair system has granted them. Let me share the mission statement of the conference.
A movement towards the elimination of male privilege, domination, and sexism. Striving to create dialogue, educate ourselves and each other, and inspire action.
* What is patriarchy, and how does it affect each of us?
* What are the practices and results of male privilege, domination and sexism?
* How do we identify male privilege?
* What does it mean to be a man or woman in this culture?
* How does this gender polarization limit us?
* If we could get outside of these roles, what kind of people would we like to be?
* How does male domination connect to other oppressions, such as racism, heterosexism, ableism, classism, capitalism, government and speciesism?
* How do we go about answering these questions?
The aim of this conference is to focus directly upon patriarchy and our roles within it. Through presentation, dialogue and performance, we hope to broach these questions seriously and playfully, with intellect and emotion. The goal is an increased understanding of our society and how we might change it and ourselves for the better.
To reject, we must identify, understand and fight.
The conference, being held in Grayson Hall, kicks off this evening at 5 p.m. in Room 240C with an introduction, followed by a performance and workshop by the Young Women’s Theater Collective. The conference continues all day Saturday and Sunday in Grayson Hall. It is free and open to the public. I hope that people of all genders come with open minds, ready to challenge the patriarchy found in all of our society’s institutions of power, which has taken root in our minds and hearts. It’s time to rock the boat!
Please visit www.fruitiondesign.com/againstpatriarchy or stop by Grayson Hall any time this weekend.