9/21 Response

After reading Johnson's article on patriarchy, I began to think about how applicable many of the things being said are to Colgate's culture. Johnson describes how one cannot address the problem of patriarchy (or the problem of a male-dominated society) without looking at the "system" that all the problems take place in. As I am beginning my fourth year of Colgate, I have heard many complaints about the "hook-up" culture here and how the frat culture has such a large impact on our social lives. I realize, however, that everyone taking part in Colgate's social life, (and Colgate life in general) is contributing in some part to this problem. As Johnson puts the blame on all individuals in society for patriarchy, I believe the same needs to be done at Colgate. Although individuals should be punished for inappropriate actions as they are in the US courts of law, Colgate's culture would not be the way it is if it weren't for all those who "participate", or as Johnson describes simply are a part of this culture.

On the same topic, I believe that watching blatantly sexist TV shows or listening to overtly male dominance centered music is another form of participation in this patriarchal society. The depictions of men and women in all of the shows we have talked about so far in class are often clearly sexist; however it is not only men who are watching these shows. By taking part in a society that you believe is incorrectly male-dominated without making attempts to change it is simply continuing this cycle that Johnson describes.