-James Connolly
Patriarchy, in the narrowest definition of the term, means (from Greek) "father-rule," however this tends not to fully encapsulate all of the social implications that stem from such a systems implementation. In short, it is one of the primary social constructs under which we live. It is made manifest in many ways, not least of which are the institutionalized forms of Western and Eastern religion. From the perspective of socialism though, we must recognize that the system of male-supremacy far pre-dates the rise of industrial, and even merchant, capitalism. However, the rise of capitalism, when combined with the already existing patriarchy, has lead to an intensification of the subordination and degradation of women through further manipulation of family life and sexuality (such as the widespread production and availability of pornography). This helps the bourgeoisie maintain their control over the working-class and other oppressed peoples.
It must also be recognized by us, if we ever wish to be/come true revolutionaries in the battle to overthrow all currently existing social conditions, that the reality about patriarchy is that it is not just simply about the way men treat (and mistreat) women and girls, it is also about how men treat other men. The system of patriarchy is fundamental in the oppression of homosexuals, and is at the heart of the way in which we indoctrinate our boys and young men into what it means "to be a man." If we ever mean to truly establish freedom, justice and equality then we must always struggle against patriarchy, both in capitalist society and within our own organizations.
Patriarchy in particular, and feminism in general are also ideas and movements that I feel have been either been mishandled or ignored altogether by the world communist movement. Many Marxists have taken an overly reductionist and mechanical view towards the liberation of women that generally follows the logic of, "overthrow capitalism and racism, sexism, homophobia etc will fall with it." These types of Marxists tend be dismissive of the feminist struggle or, in the case of some, accuse it of being a bourgeoisie deviation that must be combated within the socialist movement.
The truth of the matter is that, as patriarchy is fully ingrained in the class system, the struggle for women's liberation will actually continue, and likely even intensify, under socialism. The establishment of working-class hegemony does not mean that women's oppression will magically disappear.
To this end, the struggle for genuine women's liberation and equality must be one of the core elements of the world communist movement. Unfortunately the history of our movement has been anything but this. It has so often been the case that, even in many so-called "revolutionary" movements and societies, issues pertaining to the liberation and equality of women were often shoved off to the side. In the case of Stalinism particularly, and the nations under its state-capitalist/bureaucratic collectivist yoke, there is/was a bizarre anti-religious social conservatism that turned back the clock on the gains for women, including limiting a woman's right to divorce, access to abortion and other basic human and civil rights. It is still true that even today many organizations that come from that tradition, including many Maoists, still carry these patriarchal visions in today's world. Further, it has more often than not been these people, these fake revolutionaries, who have so often, again as a result of inbred patriarchy, declared homosexuals to be deviants, a sign of capitalism's decadence in decline that have no place under socialism.
We must tirelessly struggle for the reassertion of women's equality as an integral, everyday part of our organizations and of the broader movements for social change that we are part of. Towards that goal, this principle absolutely must become mirrored in the leadership, orientation, and priorities of our organizations and parties. It must become inseparable from the work we carry out as part of our mass and grassroots movements. Also, we must give special respect and support to the demands of working-class women, women of colour and women in the LGBTQQ community. We must also struggle for the most basic demands of the women's liberation movement: equal rights, equal pay for comparable work, quality and affordable child care, affirmative action and full reproductive rights up to and including free, on demand access to abortion. It is my firm belief that the women's liberation movement can only totally achieve its goals with the full participation and leadership of women of the working-class women, women of colour and LGBTQQ women.
With of all that said, I would like to return to one of my original points, that patriarchy is not just about male treatment of women, but also male treatment of other men, especially homosexual men. Patriarchy is the core component of the culture which enforces preconditioned gender and sexual norms on the people (men as protectors and providers, women as subservient and home makers). In this sense, patriarchy seeks to dehumanize and obliterate any and all deviations from its set social roles. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, two-spirited people, transvestites, drag queens and kings, and all others who either walk, blur or cross the set male-female line are seen as aberrations, threats to the masculine order, that must be suppressed at all costs.
In the history of the 20th and 21st centuries, the struggle for the liberation of the LGBTQQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning) community has fundamentally been one for basic human rights, including: to live in the place of one's choosing, for job opportunities, to be free of harassment and violence, and for the opportunity to participate equally in all aspects of our society, including the right to simply be allowed to consensually love and form relationships with whoever it is one loves. In many countries in the West, right-wing conservative forces have launched a full-scale war on the rights of those in who identify as LGBTQQ. They seek nothing short of the complete and utter dehumanization of them so as to be able to justify the persecution of them and the denial of their basic human rights. We, as revolutionaries, must actively and openly oppose homophobia and heterosexism in all forms, wherever we shall find them, in both capitalist society and within our organizations. We must work towards the building of a truly open and inclusivist socialist society, one that respects the diversity of the human family and that will continue to fight for LGBTQQ liberation in all of its institutions.
On another note I would like to say that, even though I am not queer myself, I have been deeply moved and inspired by the struggles of the LGBTQQ movement, which has been able to effectively challenge social oppression and, by claiming such victories as the liberty to come out, has been the primary motive force towards a amazing expansion of the possibilities of human sexuality in our society, all in light of the fact that no-one, even many so-called "revolutionaries", have given them the time of day. It seems that in today's climate it takes so much courage and strength just to be yourself, and we if all just had just half the strength and bravery to face up to society and oppression as those who come out, then the world would be a better place. Also, the LGBTQQ movement and how it has led the way in the battle against AIDS, which over the last thirty years has developed to become one of the most devastating health crises of the modern era, has come to inspire the whole of the revolutionary and progressive movement with its courage and militancy. The movement has fought for and won real gains and freedoms for all people and truly become an example for all.
As with the fight for women's liberation and equality, it must be recognized that the LGBTQQ liberation struggle is a revolutionary and progressive movement, and radicals of all stripes should encourage, take part in, and help lead it. Also as with the women's movement, we must strive for the leadership and empowerment of oppressed nationalities and working class people of the LGBTQQ community within our organizations, movements and parties.
Democracy! Liberty! Justice!
In Peace and Solidarity
Rowland Keshena
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