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The patriarchy appears in unexpected places
Sexism was everywhere in the society I grew up in
So let’s make one thing clear: I am a straight white man, well-educated, who grew up in a household with two college-educated parents. We had our issues, but overall, I am well aware of the fact that I grew up in a privileged situation.
As a college student in the 1980’s, I went through sensitivity training designed to make me aware of my privilege and of the disadvantages various other groups have to overcome. I worked hard to recognize these distinctions, and committed myself to resolving them. I glowed with pride when a female political activist friend called me “the best feminist.” That was back in 1990.
So you can imagine my surprise when I find myself discovering another means that the patriarchy found to expand its privilege. I am well aware of the way that we all live in a society whose views are so colored by sexism that we often are not aware of our assumptions. So I was struck by this feeling listening to the radio the other day.
Terry Gross was interviewing Vanessa Grigoriadis, author of “Blurred Lines: Rethinking Sex, Power, and Consent on Campus.” The Lily News also published an interview with this author. In part of the Fresh Air interview, Gross and Grigoriadis discussed the difference between a…
