Patriarchy as Experienced by Latin American Women: Defining and Responding to Bell Hooks' "Understanding Patriarchy"

ASSIGNMENT

Define Patriarchy as per the bell hooks reading. Then through online or other research find an artist/art project who addresses and challenges the status quo, patriarchy, and its systemic power and dominance. Write a short description of the art project and bring it to class in addition to your quotes. You can share this project on twitter or on the blog if you wish.

RESPONSE

            In Bell Hook’s “Understanding Patriarchy,” patriarchy is described as a social construct designed to produce a state of order by setting males as political, social, and familial leaders with women and children as their inferiors who must obey their capricious desires and commands regardless of reason (17-19). The construct, according to Hook, permits violence (18, 20) as a justification of the maintenance of order and has been so interwoven with the fabric of society, that few people out of the many who recognize the system’s weaknesses are willing to challenge it. One of the major reasons Patriarchy has lasted for millennia is society’s emphasis on “these teachings…in every institution…encountered—schools, courthouses, clubs, sports arenas, as well as churches” (18). By establishing a precedent favoring male power even in cases of domestic violence and abuse, it seems unnatural—especially to men who have been victims of violence from their fathers, to challenge the social construct that places them in positions of power in nearly all aspects of society.

            Although the patriarchal system encompasses the nation’s regulations, some women and men have silently managed to follow their own system where there is no need for ‘domination,’ power, or violence, because their responsibilities in the maintenance of their system are evenly distributed. However, the majority of society is unwilling to change its perspective on patriarchy because of the generalized view that women cannot be independent and are unconsciously reliant on patriarchal government for the maintenance of order and happiness. In a certain sense, many women are content with abusive forms of patriarchy because they instill such ‘values’ to their daughters, encouraging them to be weak and submissive regardless of reason. Such a view is frequently displayed in courthouses—as shown by the media—which were in a sense designed to protect aggressors’ rights over the rights of victims.  When women bring up cases of domestic or workplace abuse, especially nonphysical forms such as harassment and verbal degradation, their cases are often dismissed because they have not been physically harmed and are allegedly attempting to avenge their hate on males or feminist views—if applicable—though the legal system. In likewise manner, when males bring cases of abuse to court, they are often socially deemed weak and feminine, resulting in public ridicule. Unfortunately, the justification of abusive patriarchy has been enforced by a portion of female judges and hearing officers who appear to be more adamant supporters of the system than men in equal positions.

            Despite the appearance that the majority of society brainlessly supports all aspects of patriarchy, several Latin American artists have moved the spotlight to the effects of patriarchy on Latinas, who are victims of Latino and European-and-white-American-centric imperialist patriarchy. For instance, the “Radical Women: Latin American Art,1960-1985” exhibit was displayed in the Brooklyn museum this year until the end of July and featured photographs and other works of art by Latina artists who opposed the silence, suppression, and stereotypical placement of Latina women as sex workers, maids, and criminals. Although the artists did not identify as feminists or anti-patriarchy, they intervened in American and Latin American societies’ placement of Hispanic/ Latino women on the lowest rungs of society. Amongst Hispanic and Latina women, identifying as a feminist is not necessarily ‘a thing,’ but many women have successfully resisted systemic oppression through works of art and protests. The few women who displayed works of art in the exhibit did not necessarily realize their impact on social reform for Latin American women, but they made strides in starting conversations about patriarchal issues affecting Latinas, such as forced sterilization of Chicana women by the majority of states during the 70's and governmental abuse against women.

A photograph by Panamanian artist Sandra Eleta, who challenged the stereotypical placement of Latin American women as maids by displaying a domestic worker in a dignified pose.