fuckthepatriarchy 101 – Class in Session I

I’m not big on disclaimers – they smack of protecting oneself from a ridoinkulously litigious society, when exercising some common sense would do the trick. So before I plunge in let’s be clear – the PATRIARCHY is a system. Wanting to FUCK THE PATRIARCHY is about wanting to use a new operating system. Clearly the current system of governance used almost exclusively globally needs a few patches, or like your 8 track collection needs to be stored in a musty box in your basement – you can go look at it everyonceinawhile and wonder what the fuck we were collectively thinking.

The PATRIARCHY is the drywall dust of a construction project – that shit gets everywhere! Years after your renovate you are still finding it in your knicker drawer – now am I talking about dry wall dust or the PATRIARCHY – turns out both.

Renata Crowe

The patriarchy isn’t good for anyone: girls, boys, women, men, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC peeps, plus every god dam mother fucking critter on earth and the environment we all exist in’ – even those who are still working that system for their own benefit – it ain’t good for them, but they are super low on my list of things to give a shit about at the moment. So for any ‘3 leggeds’ out there that feel attacked by the concept of FTP or feminism take heart this is for the betterment of ALL but while we get to a better place you may want to don an athletic cup for support…

Theoretically there are ways to achieve ‘inner peace’ but gotta say I am not seeing much empirical evidence of this. With all the meditating, OMing,  box breathing and TED Talks going on you would think we’d be in a better place globally. Don’t get me wrong I got some woo woo in me and a big ol OM but here we are in a perpetual patriarchal pickle, and those on the receiving end of that bullshitery are doing most of the work – that ain’t right! For me it’s understanding shit – curiosity and all that. If I can figure something out I can make a plan – if I can make a plan I can move forward. So get your ZEN on with a side helping of slappity – all about balance…

And now for your musical interlude – maybe we can ‘Take Back the World’ by Little Jackie (click here and buy it for yourself – artists gotta eat!)

 Speaking of moving forward… Are you fuckthepatriarchy CURIOUS? Walk with me.

I am the bastard child of IGNORANCE and ENTHUSIASM. This isn’t a new thing – I’ve been fairly consistent for decades. In my 20s I remember friends in university taking ‘women’s studies’. I was always puzzled – what’s to study – looking crotchward – I’m a woman what else is there to know? Okeedokee…

Fast forward 3 or so decades (2021ish) and I found myself in the middle of a health crisis. My immune system decided to send me a memo via my largest organ – nothing says something’s amiss like hives, prickly heat, and a rash so bad that I started to look like someone out of the Miri Episode of Star Trek (geek alert). 

I wasn’t familiar with Brene Brown, but the planets aligned and her podcast with Emily and Amelia Nagoski came into my periphery and I am eversograteful. The clouds parted, trumpets blew from cute cherub bottoms and I immediately ordered their book Burnout from my local brick and mortar bookshop because Jeff Bezos can go fuck himself (and stay fucked).

My brain pretty much exploded on pg XV of the intro…

The GAME IS RIGGED – that is the most important takeaway here! Just like the Kobayashi Maru we gotta do some reprogramming if we’re gonna get anywhere. There is work to do – so put on your work boots, grab something sharp (your wit, keys between those fingers or your favourite hatchet…) and come walk with me. Remember that moving forward thing – let’s go!

So for your first homework assignment listen to this, tell a friend or two, walk tall and carry a big stick!

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DEEPER DIVE

Brene Brown Every time I listen to one Brene’s podcasts I get something out of it – connection is a thing!

Burnout -The Secret of Unlocking the Stress Cycle A friend told me I should be getting a kick back for all the times I’ve recommended this book – KICK it!!!

Women In Drywall I have NEVER drywalled but I would like to bow to all the women that are rocking it. If you have the opportunity to hire women in construction – do it!