outofthemanbox

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  • in reply to: 3. Men's role in the struggle for women’s equality? #4741
    outofthemanbox
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    First I will locate myself. My name is Charles Knight. I am 69 years old; a cisgendered male. Much of my life I have worked to counter the practice and structures of oppression, dominance and violence. During the last 35 years or so I have been increasing focused on how gender identity and performance reproduce dominance and violence. I presently curate an online magazine and blog called “Out of the Man Box” which seeks to encourage men to move beyond conventional masculinity. http://flip.it/2rpTm

    Regarding men’s role in the struggle for women’s equality: It is, of course, problematic given the patriarchial structures we live in. However, I have come to believe that if men wish to escape the oppressions from which the majority suffer (most often from other men) in the pervasive hierarchies of dominance and abuse, then they have common cause with women to seek relations of equality.

    I know from personal experience that effective common cause and solidarity take constant attention to make conscious men’s privileges, the making generous and humble adjustment to one’s performance of gender and constant learning about (and unlearning the harmful practice of) gender. Yet, the rewards of men in solidarity with women are more than sufficient to make this work worthwhile.

    Regarding the pedagogy of visual studio arts I know next to nothing, excepting to note that like most other institutional practice these spaces have long been dominated (and representations within controlled) by men. New attention to gender relations in the studio with a goal of equality and opening toward real learning from the experience and perspectives of all would seem to be a requirement (perhaps a curriculum requirement?) if progress is to be made.

    I am honored by Judy Chicago’s opening for dialogue in this space.

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