It's very interesting how language works and how gendered pronouns have wound their way into our everyday conversations, thoughts and languages. I always found it fascinating that non-gendered languages like English still have gendered ideas of objects; boats and ships for example are almost always female (for no reason I can fathom).

I'm less inclined to viewing the patriarchy and white supremacy as the big-bad amorphous supervillains they are often purported to be. I think this is an oversimplification of a complicated set of historical precedents. While, for example, we might see female suffrage and LGBTQ+ rights as a fight against the white-supremacist patriarchy, it's also worth considering that it was this system which allowed these things to arise. They have not arisen as quickly in other systems, such as the Arabic world, the Indian Caste system or as ubiquitously as we might think they should be in Asia.

I think a much more nuanced conversation needs to happen in which people are able to have real discussions but in which there is no attempt to use an oppressor/oppressed lens by which to view things. I find it unhelpful and counter-productive... though, simply stating this is evidence of being an oppressor.

Penguins oppress everyone... but at least we're nice about it. :o)

Great article. Looks like you're relatively new here - so it was nice to stop by and read a new voice. I don't want to overly Penguin-splain, but definitely make sure you're including an image and subtitle in your work - the algorithm will distribute you more widely if you do, and your work deserves to be distributed more widely.

Keep on keeping on my little vagabond soul (great name!)