I Of all the systems in the world,
The one with the most redoubtable PR machine
Is undoubtedly patriarchy.
II It’s less than 10,000 years old.
It’s completely made up.
It’s like a free trial of power and strength
that turned into a subscription we forgot to cancel.
And overtime, that subscription shrank to dominance, anger, and loneliness.
Still, society prescribes patriarchy to all of us for order and control,
with little regard for connection and liberation.
It just can’t fill everyone’s cup.
III A world with no gender prescriptions might certainly be confusing…
At first.
But what freedoms are we missing out on by hanging on to patriarchy,
A system intended to quench an insatiable thirst?
IV Powerful men create conflicts for other men to fight.
Men are told they’re superior for fighting other men’s wars.
Patriarchy welcomes them home with a parade and invisible scars.
V Is patriarchy the chicken and capitalism the egg?
Did we ever figure out which one came first?
VI Male supremacy is patriarchy.
A patriarchy run by women is still a patriarchy.
VII Womanhood does not make one immune.
Some women have disdain for men’s vulnerability.
That, too, is patriarchy.
VIII Trans women live authentically despite phobes’ best attempts.
But we need men’s help so the Black dolls can live past their thirties.
By help, I mean, Talk to your homeboys about their violence.
Patriarchy keeps you from bringing the noise of accountability.
IX A decent man can fall without accountability.
Every school shooter has documented instances of violence before the big day.
But patriarchy says “Boys will be boys” through law enforcement.
And then the cops wait outside Robb Elementary while the kids inside pass
away.
X Violence is a sure bet.
Men and boys can count on it to be seen and heard.
Patriarchy has their anger on loudspeakers but keeps their suffering on mute.
And our complicity keeps us moving in a silent herd.
XI What is liberation? A never-ending quest.
What does it require? For us to see each other.
But it requires choosing yourself over patriarchy first.
XII A man is a man is a man.
If he says so.
Patriarchy speaks like there’s a masculinity thief.
XIII We all have to unlearn, me included.
Patriarchy is a beast, and its gun is always loaded.