Patriarchy is not some abstract idea or feminist conspiracy theory without relevance in everyday lives. For example, “pick me” tweets are more than just clown behavior. They challenge sisterhood and reveal serious bargains women are out here making with patriarchal oppression. 1/

Patriarchy is a social system assigning roles and resources by status as male (father) or in relation to men (wife, daughter). Men hoard power (e.g. priesthood), eliminate competition (e.g. old boy network), control land, laws, bodies, work, sex (e.g. honor & modesty codes). 2/

Patriarchy’s footsolidiers are people who put/keep women in their place to assure men’s benefits/status. Men do it to protect a system favoring them. Women, though oppressed and exploited by the system, do it for survival, protection, favor, power, other gains they get within. 3/

Our good sis Deniz Kandiyoti called these deals women make “patriarchal bargains” where they excuse, collaborate with, or even advance the oppression of other women in exchange for protection, power, status, approval or whatever else they feel they can get for them and theirs. 4/

“Pick me” tweets show deals with patriarchal oppression. They show, for example, women slut shaming others or claiming as our “nature” domestic goddess myths that deny us power, money, public influence. In exchange for approval, protection in a shit system that harms us all. 5/

No matter what or how much women gain from bargaining with patriarchy, we can never beat a system thriving on our oppression and exploitation. The rockstar in this tweet resisted and beautifully subverted attempts to humiliate another woman. That’s the model for sisterhood. /end

I’m glad you saw the scam!

Another example of “pick me” clownery and insidious bargaining for favor and status under white supremacy.