This blog has been rolling around in me for a few days now, and I have been arguing with myself about whether to write it or not. What most of my readers probably do not know about me, is that I struggle with myself about what to put out there in the public sphere. I have noticed that the stuff I struggle with the most, is usually the posts that I get the most positive feedback from. So, here goes.
For years, I have been very aware of the "patriarchy" and how it operates. I began to notice this back in the 1970's and my awareness has continued to grow as I listen, read and observe. When I talk about patriarchy, I am not talking about men in general, because all men are not patriarchal.
Patriarchy applies to the rule and domination by men. It is about the thought that men are superior and that women are supposed to be subject to them. It is about men being the rulers, chiefs and law makers. True patriarchs will not go down without a fight. They are not about to give up their right to rule.
When women begin to roar, patriarchy responds with a fight. The fight usually includes an attempt to silence women, to patronize, accuse, make fun of, slap down, shut up, pass laws against and in some cases kill. A true patriarch is afraid of women's power, and will do all they can to keep it at bay and keep it quiet, submissive and under patriarchal control.
While those men who are terrified of woman's power, are doing what they can to keep us silent and in our place, the powerful feminine spirit within each woman is questioning, rising up and clamoring against the injustice and the de-humanization being done to women all over. We are finding our voices and marching and crying out against what we have submitted to for so long.
Here is my story about the experience I had when I began to awaken and find my voice.
Back in the 70's I belonged to a church that believed men were the superior sex, and that women were supposed to submit to and defer to the voice of patriarchy. I was enslaved in this belief and lived in it for about three years. Thankfully, truth began to dawn on me, and I started waking up. As I did, I found myself questioning the status quo, and thinking, "wait a minute, something does not feel right here." I knew in my bones that something was out of kilter. I felt the imbalance in my spirit, but at first did not know what was no longer sitting in my gut as "the truth." Slowly, I began to see the ugliness of patriarchy and I began to share my message in different groups.
It was not long before I personally found out the extent patriarchy will go to shut down a woman who is speaking out for equality of women. The elders first brought me before their esteemed group and demanded I shut up or leave the church. Believe me, I wanted to leave that institution more than they wanted me gone, but I could not leave because I knew in my heart it was not the right time. I was being called on to share my message of freedom and power with some of the women and knew I had to stay till I was through. I knew in my heart I would be protected and would leave at just the right time.
During this time, I had different men and women in the church tell me I was demon-possessed, and attempted to call them out of me. Since there were no demons in me, their attempt to exorcise me failed. They called me names and told all the women to stay away from me because I was evil. However, there were a handful of women who were ready to hear a message of power and freedom. I wanted them to know they were not inferior and they were not here for the service of men. Whenever I had the chance, I told them how beautiful, worthy and magnificent they were. Some heard me, many were terrified of what I was saying and closed their ears and hearts.
Finally, it all came to a head on a Sunday morning. I went to church, as was my custom, and when the service was over I walked out of the sanctuary and into the vestibule. There was a large circle of people waiting for me. The circle was composed of the elders, the pastors, and a lot of angry men and women. I was publicly cast out and told to never come back. As I stood outside the church, instead of shame, I felt relief because I knew my time there was finally over, and I was free to no longer go there. I was empowered to continue to spread the message of the sacredness of the feminine and the beauty and sisterhood of women.
I left that place with the sad knowledge of how afraid many women are of hearing the truth about their power and their place in the world, and how afraid the patriarchy is of having their throne toppled and there being equality among all.
Here it is, almost 50 years later, and I still see the fear in many women about being told of their magnificence. I also see the stronghold the patriarchy still has, and their deep fear of losing that hold. I can only hope that both male and female will come to an understanding of the equality of the sexes, and that women will give up the fear of questioning patriarchal power. I also hold out hope that the patriarchy will see the ugliness and brutality of their incessant need to rule and have power over women, and be willing to give it up.
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4 comments:
So beautifully and graciously expressed my friend. You are and always have been an amazing warrior and guide. Sadly the patriarchy still has a stronghold in our world but awakened women will not be deterred.
That’s just one of the many reasons why I married this fabulous woman!!!
From one free woman to another, you rock. Thank you ❤️❤️🌈
My sweet hubby!! Thank you for always supporting me in being a free woman. You have my heart!!❤️😍🥰
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