Max Dashu, expert on suppressed history of women, discusses the prospects for a matriarchal movement today and the use of egalitarian concepts of matriarchy by progressive movements. They explore the biases in academia, the reclamation of matriarchy by indigenous women, and the importance of liberating all women.
Resistance against matriarchal scholarship and research still exists, particularly in fields like archaeology, but there is a growing movement led by indigenous women reclaiming and rematriating their cultural heritage.
Understanding the systemic nature of patriarchy and dismantling its structures require descriptors of alternative social systems and behaviors, challenging gender rigidity and forming alliances to address issues like rape culture and police violence.
Deep dives
The Role of Matriarchy in the Current Cultural Climate
The episode discusses the relevance of matriarchy in today's cultural climate. It explores how the concept of matriarchy is perceived and accepted in academia and mainstream society. The guest argues that there is still resistance and bias against matriarchal scholarship and research, particularly in fields like archaeology. However, he also highlights the growing movement led by indigenous women reclaiming and rematriating their cultural heritage. The guest emphasizes the importance of understanding and describing alternative social systems and behaviors that challenge the structures of male domination and promote cooperative societies.
Challenging the Notions of Gender and Patriarchy
The conversation delves into the ideologies surrounding gender and patriarchy. The guest critiques the current discourse that focuses on gender performativity instead of the material basis of patriarchy and its systemic nature. He argues that gender rigidity is a product of patriarchy, not the other way around. The guest emphasizes the need to understand and describe the systems of domination and how they could be done differently. He also highlights the importance of finding social solidarity and forming alliances to challenge male domination and address issues such as rape culture and police violence.
The Future of Matriarchy and Indigenous Women's Leadership
The episode concludes by discussing the future of matriarchy and the leadership of indigenous women. The guest highlights the resurgence of interest in matriarchy and how indigenous women are reclaiming and rematriating their cultural traditions. He mentions specific indigenous communities, such as the Oloni and the Wet'suwet'en, who are actively fighting for their land rights and sovereignty. The guest emphasizes the importance of supporting these movements and exploring alternative forms of social organization and natural resource management, such as cooperative societies and permaculture. He encourages listeners to learn more about indigenous women's initiatives and to provide material support towards their causes.
In part three, we discuss with Max that current state of, and prospects for, matriarchy in the modern world. Is there a chance for a matriarchal movement today? Are some of the egalitarian concepts of matriarchy already in use by today's progressive movements? We Make Matriarchy Great Again in part three. Sean Marlon Newcombe and Dawn "Sam" Alden host.
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