The pragmatic approach you take is one of the few to take an idealized prospect, such as liberation, and make it tangible and we need more of it. The way we approach love in western culture is as a concept, something that you can *speak* into existence by telling it to someone. it's actually why I've been trying to cut down on saying 'i love you' to people as much, because the word is a verb, an action. I don't want to pollute and muddy someone's ability to determine how much I care for them by saying love if I'm failing to actually LOVE them.
But you've integrated the realities we're facing with love as a practice and it is so necessary. Liberation and free love, I've found, are so much less intimidating when they're disillusioned as utopias and rendered into practicalities, so this is the kind of perspective I have deep appreciation for. 😀
Love is a verb. Exactly. I love that. I also like the discipline of not saying I love you so much. Maybe let it shine through your body instead? I think the missing piece in most liberation ideology is embodiment. That love as a verb. Thank you for these comments. I really appreciate what you bring to the conversation.
Why didn't I know the following before reading your essay?: "For 95% of human history, most cultures were egalitarian. Therefore, patriarchy is not biological or natural."
Yes, yes, yes I knew about matriarchal cultures. Is Western culture so toxic because we've been taught that Divinity is masculine? YES.
Our beliefs shape and influence our thoughts. Our thoughts shape our speech and then of course our behavior follows logically.
And where do those "beliefs" come from? Parents, education, culture (in other words the air we breathe).
Unless MEN stop and examine those beliefs that almost reside in every cell of their bodies, THEY cannot wake up to the persistence of pernicious ideas: bigger is better; might makes right; men are smarter; god is a guy; folks with white skin are superior to all other hues of skin tones; money buys happiness (yeah it buys power in a crony capitalistic economy), etc. etc.
To return to my opening question, the answer is simple: the canonical WESTERN wisdom texts were written by men. These texts and the billions of books that followed echoed and reinforced the male-dominated world view. The belief that god is a guy - which flies in the face of reality and the creative force here on earth which is feminine - is but one starting point for patriarchy.
Man. It’s a lot. You know there probably were never matriarchal cultures because women don’t take that kind of power over everything. That’s why I use the word egalitarian. That’s accurate. And better. And achievable. Most of the myths you speak of took over for older more feminine mythology. For example Athena is older than Zeus, her supposed father. I could go on. I’ve written about some of this stuff already if you want to check out some things on the Substack. It’s enough to say, you’re right about all of it.
This essay is brilliant. So glad that someone is speaking about the power of myths, and has the courage to talk about busting them 👏. American exceptionalism seems like one of the biggest myths out there!
Susan I yearn for the future you describe in this article. I agree that in the end love is everything and that it is well beyond time that we end patriarchy and let women lead us out of this mess. The thought of men and women living and working together in harmony without needing to outdo or one-up or belittle or degrade each other sounds divine!!
It does to me, too. We’re all so miserable in the current system. Even the people who seem to benefit are miserable. What if we all just used the resources to take care of each other and make life easier instead of harder? Hmmm. What a concept!
Susan, this essay is absolutely on fire in the best possible way. I need to go back and read it again… a few times. I have recently been writing about patriarchy, but you brought the fire and the humor and didn’t balk at saying the hard things. Outstanding.
I'm right there with you, behind these concepts all the way. Putting reasonable women in charge can't happen soon enough, and stop all this madness and our nation's rush to the bottom.
All religions are fairy tales and so is most of history. It is the stories that we don't hear, the women and people of color who have contributed so much to our lives, that are obscured in the narrative hammered into us. I have lived a fairly simple life, but have always felt that I was in the wrong world, on the wrong planet--not misgendered but overly labelled. All of that is the mis-mythology.
Yes. That’s always my point, too. It’s all mythology intended to promote a point of view that is violent and dangerous. I think you are lucky to have lived a simple life. Perhaps it’s the only way to come sane in a culture that’s inherently crazy.
After some ten years of talk therapy under various conditions, I figured out that I was not crazy, only observant. I di d not have abuse issues, mostly only communication problems, which are still an issue after 75 years. I do still have a somewhat warped point of view on many things.
You are one of the most observant people I know, a true artist. I think communication is always a problem because language is a blunt instrument, and not everyone plays fair when they use it. I bet your pov is not the one that's warped after all, just a guess.
It was a great insight to me to understand that a lot of folks, one in particular that I am related to, sees the world at about a 97° angle differently than I do. What works in her world does not work in mine.
I loved this so much. My mind is so often drawn to myths. I see everything through the lens of story and character. Your work uplifts me and intrigues me so much. 🌹💫
You are so kind, Elizabeth. Thank you so much. I think most people see the world through story, that’s why we are so easily manipylated by it. I often say we should be called homo mythologica rather than homo sapiens, since clearly, we are not so wise.
Homo Mythologica … that’s fantastic! Yes, we’re definitely not a wise species. But each day I’m grateful for the wisdom of Substack sisters like you. 🙏
I was first abused by our culture at age 4; I started rebelling at age 10, when I first rejected religion. Of course I was demonized, worse yet I spent my youth trying to be what culture said I was supposed to be…and sexual abuse found me everywhere. Finally I snapped and became a hermit, going out only to work. I cut out friends and stopped being involved with men. I began to accept my rejection of religion and examine and challenge other social constructs, logically. Blah, blah, blah…fast forward to being on Substack and finding women like you who are validating what I knew as a 10 year old, and who back it up with scholarship and heart. We MUST stop grooming girls under the traditions and social constraints of patriarchy and male supremacy. Feminine does not equate to pink, long hair, make up, high heels, flowing clothing. Being Feminine is being smart, logical, self-assured, competent, and fierce. Thank you.
And thank you right back. You are so right, too. I’m sorry you had to grow up like this. I’m sorry for us all, and putting my foot down that it has to stop. When you said, “and sexual abuse found me everywhere,” well, that’s my experience, too. So widespread. I also tried to stop being involved with men, but the hits came through women then. I’m a natural hermit. I’d live in a cave if it had enough creature comforts. I guess that makes me a modern hermit. I’m glad we are all finding each other and banding together under the banner: You are not crazy. The culture is.
Susan, you did it again. You wrote a great piece. When we were talking about the name of your stack, I was inquiring from the place of designer, Substack branding, etc. I was questioning whether people were clear or intrigued to find out what that means.I missed out on mythology because none of my English teachers ever taught to us. There were one or two who did, but I never had the pleasure of having them as my teachers. But as was and is still my habit, I only like reading books about contemporary life. I've always been that way. Though now, I understand the value of knowing history. I also wasn't great at metaphor when I was young. I've always always preferred bluntness to reading between the lines.
I want to make sure that everyone reads you, and that's where my questioning was originating.
I did have a lightbulb moment where I thought how fun it would be to create a new profile, and then seek out all the anti-feminists, the haters, the MAGA stacks and drop links to all of our posts in their comments. Drive them crazy, but at the same time, maybe open some eyes...because they're going to have to do some major waking up. You know I like to help!
This world is a house of cards, and yes, the tipping point is here. We can do this, shut down the gaslighting, the cruelty, the violence that is both overt and covert to those who can't recognize the abuse because so many of us have become numb and frightened.
I'm not nearly as scared as I was. And what remains is more about others and the intense suffering that's caused by the big daddies who proclaim out of one side of their mouths, that "they alone can fix it," while robbing us blind while we wait for solutions that will never come from them. We're being hornswoggled, boondoggled, bamboozled, and gaslit by pros. They're not going to save us, as we can see. So we're up to bat...I'm going to do my part to hit my ball out of the park, every time I swing. xo
Hornswaggled? What a great word! And you do hit it out of the part on the regular. I knew where all your questions were coming from, and I appreciate them. You’re right, too. I think life and synchronicity will open all the eyes, and soon too, in ways reading won’t be able to. “Fasten your seatbelt…” During this time of “just before” we are finding each other, defining our limits and saying: no more. I could never thank you enough, or love you enough, so I’ll just keep trying.
I know that you are. It gives me great comfort to know such a fierce truth teller is there. Those of us who are on the other side have to keep telling people that the ‘other side’ is the promised land. Perfect? Probably not. Much, much better? Definitely.
The pragmatic approach you take is one of the few to take an idealized prospect, such as liberation, and make it tangible and we need more of it. The way we approach love in western culture is as a concept, something that you can *speak* into existence by telling it to someone. it's actually why I've been trying to cut down on saying 'i love you' to people as much, because the word is a verb, an action. I don't want to pollute and muddy someone's ability to determine how much I care for them by saying love if I'm failing to actually LOVE them.
But you've integrated the realities we're facing with love as a practice and it is so necessary. Liberation and free love, I've found, are so much less intimidating when they're disillusioned as utopias and rendered into practicalities, so this is the kind of perspective I have deep appreciation for. 😀
Love is a verb. Exactly. I love that. I also like the discipline of not saying I love you so much. Maybe let it shine through your body instead? I think the missing piece in most liberation ideology is embodiment. That love as a verb. Thank you for these comments. I really appreciate what you bring to the conversation.
Why didn't I know the following before reading your essay?: "For 95% of human history, most cultures were egalitarian. Therefore, patriarchy is not biological or natural."
Yes, yes, yes I knew about matriarchal cultures. Is Western culture so toxic because we've been taught that Divinity is masculine? YES.
Our beliefs shape and influence our thoughts. Our thoughts shape our speech and then of course our behavior follows logically.
And where do those "beliefs" come from? Parents, education, culture (in other words the air we breathe).
Unless MEN stop and examine those beliefs that almost reside in every cell of their bodies, THEY cannot wake up to the persistence of pernicious ideas: bigger is better; might makes right; men are smarter; god is a guy; folks with white skin are superior to all other hues of skin tones; money buys happiness (yeah it buys power in a crony capitalistic economy), etc. etc.
To return to my opening question, the answer is simple: the canonical WESTERN wisdom texts were written by men. These texts and the billions of books that followed echoed and reinforced the male-dominated world view. The belief that god is a guy - which flies in the face of reality and the creative force here on earth which is feminine - is but one starting point for patriarchy.
Thank you, Susan for this essay.
Man. It’s a lot. You know there probably were never matriarchal cultures because women don’t take that kind of power over everything. That’s why I use the word egalitarian. That’s accurate. And better. And achievable. Most of the myths you speak of took over for older more feminine mythology. For example Athena is older than Zeus, her supposed father. I could go on. I’ve written about some of this stuff already if you want to check out some things on the Substack. It’s enough to say, you’re right about all of it.
This essay is brilliant. So glad that someone is speaking about the power of myths, and has the courage to talk about busting them 👏. American exceptionalism seems like one of the biggest myths out there!
Thanks! You’re right about American exceptionalism. Toxic. And unfortunately, myths rule instead of facts. Hopefully we’ll see it someday soon.
Susan I yearn for the future you describe in this article. I agree that in the end love is everything and that it is well beyond time that we end patriarchy and let women lead us out of this mess. The thought of men and women living and working together in harmony without needing to outdo or one-up or belittle or degrade each other sounds divine!!
It does to me, too. We’re all so miserable in the current system. Even the people who seem to benefit are miserable. What if we all just used the resources to take care of each other and make life easier instead of harder? Hmmm. What a concept!
Susan, this essay is absolutely on fire in the best possible way. I need to go back and read it again… a few times. I have recently been writing about patriarchy, but you brought the fire and the humor and didn’t balk at saying the hard things. Outstanding.
Oh Linnea, that touches me so deeply. I value and respect you so much. Thank you from the bottom to the top.
💜🙏🏻💜
I’ve been reading your work for a while, but this one prompted me to upgrade. I want to support more writing like this.
Thank you. I’m very grateful.
I'm right there with you, behind these concepts all the way. Putting reasonable women in charge can't happen soon enough, and stop all this madness and our nation's rush to the bottom.
Yes. That’s right. Course correction all the way.
All religions are fairy tales and so is most of history. It is the stories that we don't hear, the women and people of color who have contributed so much to our lives, that are obscured in the narrative hammered into us. I have lived a fairly simple life, but have always felt that I was in the wrong world, on the wrong planet--not misgendered but overly labelled. All of that is the mis-mythology.
Yes. That’s always my point, too. It’s all mythology intended to promote a point of view that is violent and dangerous. I think you are lucky to have lived a simple life. Perhaps it’s the only way to come sane in a culture that’s inherently crazy.
After some ten years of talk therapy under various conditions, I figured out that I was not crazy, only observant. I di d not have abuse issues, mostly only communication problems, which are still an issue after 75 years. I do still have a somewhat warped point of view on many things.
You are one of the most observant people I know, a true artist. I think communication is always a problem because language is a blunt instrument, and not everyone plays fair when they use it. I bet your pov is not the one that's warped after all, just a guess.
It was a great insight to me to understand that a lot of folks, one in particular that I am related to, sees the world at about a 97° angle differently than I do. What works in her world does not work in mine.
The seeing is the important thing, then. Everything else follows from thatn. Hey, Charlotte! See ya soon!
Looking forward to the Jag call
I loved this so much. My mind is so often drawn to myths. I see everything through the lens of story and character. Your work uplifts me and intrigues me so much. 🌹💫
You are so kind, Elizabeth. Thank you so much. I think most people see the world through story, that’s why we are so easily manipylated by it. I often say we should be called homo mythologica rather than homo sapiens, since clearly, we are not so wise.
Homo Mythologica … that’s fantastic! Yes, we’re definitely not a wise species. But each day I’m grateful for the wisdom of Substack sisters like you. 🙏
Me too. It’s the compassion I’m attracted to. Whatever wisdom I find arises from that or it simply isn’t wise. It’s something else.
👏👏👏👏🙌
I was first abused by our culture at age 4; I started rebelling at age 10, when I first rejected religion. Of course I was demonized, worse yet I spent my youth trying to be what culture said I was supposed to be…and sexual abuse found me everywhere. Finally I snapped and became a hermit, going out only to work. I cut out friends and stopped being involved with men. I began to accept my rejection of religion and examine and challenge other social constructs, logically. Blah, blah, blah…fast forward to being on Substack and finding women like you who are validating what I knew as a 10 year old, and who back it up with scholarship and heart. We MUST stop grooming girls under the traditions and social constraints of patriarchy and male supremacy. Feminine does not equate to pink, long hair, make up, high heels, flowing clothing. Being Feminine is being smart, logical, self-assured, competent, and fierce. Thank you.
And thank you right back. You are so right, too. I’m sorry you had to grow up like this. I’m sorry for us all, and putting my foot down that it has to stop. When you said, “and sexual abuse found me everywhere,” well, that’s my experience, too. So widespread. I also tried to stop being involved with men, but the hits came through women then. I’m a natural hermit. I’d live in a cave if it had enough creature comforts. I guess that makes me a modern hermit. I’m glad we are all finding each other and banding together under the banner: You are not crazy. The culture is.
Susan, you did it again. You wrote a great piece. When we were talking about the name of your stack, I was inquiring from the place of designer, Substack branding, etc. I was questioning whether people were clear or intrigued to find out what that means.I missed out on mythology because none of my English teachers ever taught to us. There were one or two who did, but I never had the pleasure of having them as my teachers. But as was and is still my habit, I only like reading books about contemporary life. I've always been that way. Though now, I understand the value of knowing history. I also wasn't great at metaphor when I was young. I've always always preferred bluntness to reading between the lines.
I want to make sure that everyone reads you, and that's where my questioning was originating.
I did have a lightbulb moment where I thought how fun it would be to create a new profile, and then seek out all the anti-feminists, the haters, the MAGA stacks and drop links to all of our posts in their comments. Drive them crazy, but at the same time, maybe open some eyes...because they're going to have to do some major waking up. You know I like to help!
This world is a house of cards, and yes, the tipping point is here. We can do this, shut down the gaslighting, the cruelty, the violence that is both overt and covert to those who can't recognize the abuse because so many of us have become numb and frightened.
I'm not nearly as scared as I was. And what remains is more about others and the intense suffering that's caused by the big daddies who proclaim out of one side of their mouths, that "they alone can fix it," while robbing us blind while we wait for solutions that will never come from them. We're being hornswoggled, boondoggled, bamboozled, and gaslit by pros. They're not going to save us, as we can see. So we're up to bat...I'm going to do my part to hit my ball out of the park, every time I swing. xo
Hornswaggled? What a great word! And you do hit it out of the part on the regular. I knew where all your questions were coming from, and I appreciate them. You’re right, too. I think life and synchronicity will open all the eyes, and soon too, in ways reading won’t be able to. “Fasten your seatbelt…” During this time of “just before” we are finding each other, defining our limits and saying: no more. I could never thank you enough, or love you enough, so I’ll just keep trying.
Good post!
Thank you so much. Thanks for commenting, too.
Brilliant. Crystal. And Modern Mythology is the perfect title. Those of us on the other side know where we’re going. I’m with you.
I know that you are. It gives me great comfort to know such a fierce truth teller is there. Those of us who are on the other side have to keep telling people that the ‘other side’ is the promised land. Perfect? Probably not. Much, much better? Definitely.