What Does it Mean to Smash the Patriarchy

01/23/18 • 35 min

Living life through the male gaze has become so normal, we may not even notice. That's why it's important to step back and examine the terms and constructs we use to describe and dissemble a world where men dominate.

Dr. Emerald Archer joins me to put her engaging and scholarly lens and helps us think about every day life through the lens of living in patriarchy.

Plus, Morra's thoughts on Aziz Ansari, and how an experience with slashed tires made her get in touch with her rage. (Spoiler alert: It makes me feel my age).

Dr. Emerald Archer joins me to put her engaging and scholarly lens and helps us think about every day life through the lens of living in patriarchy.

Plus, Morra's thoughts on Aziz Ansari, and how an experience with slashed tires made her get in touch with her rage. (Spoiler alert: It makes me feel my age).

Previous Episode

Dealing with predators at work

Morra recorded this episode with writer, attorney, entrepreneur, founder of #Changetheratio and The List, and feminist thinker Rachel Sklar during the fall 2016 Trump campaign. We talked about sexual predation at work and how to negotiate dealing with predators while advancing in your career.

Our conversation is even more relevant right now, in January 2018.

We talk about the temptation to "grade" severity of your harassment ("it's not that bad"), resisting the temptation to write men off as "handsy" and diminishing outrageous behavior because that's what we've always done. Plus single momming. Rachel Sklar is funny and honest and always, ahead of her time.

Morra also interviews her mother Pamela Aarons about how it feels to be triggered by Trump and #MeToo.

Next Episode

Black Women Winning Office: Higher Heights is Drafting the Playbook

“We have to create the leaders we want, and there is no more promising investment than Black women,” says my guest Kimberly Peeler-Allen. Peeler-Allen is co-founder of Higher Heights, which is building a national infrastructure to harness Black women’s political power and leadership potential. African American women are consistently the difference between victory for Democrats and loss, and we discuss her work, and the Democratic Party’s role in supporting turnout and new candidates.

How to put together a winning coalition? Peeler-Allen’s work highlights the challenges of taking on entrenched institutions and she’s expert at using social media and on the ground networks to help women win. Even if you’re not running for office, her strategies will help you advance in your career and take on patriarchal interests.

Plus: How has #MeToo affected how you feel about the men in your life? 51% of respondents in my recent survey said yes. Do you still want to have sex with your partner? 40% said yes. I discuss the results of my survey on MeToo and our own relationships.