text: That's the problem right there; your dictionary tells you that patriarchy is about men keeping women down while experience and research tell some of us that patriarchy is a social system that benefits heterosexual men in the main. Our cultures, religions, family norms etc. are all steeped in patriarchy; and I am sure that you will agree with me that both men and women participate in these institutions that form the foundation of patriarchy. The reason I am concerned with your line of argument is because it is no different from the spurious notion that every white person under the sun contributes to the subjugation of black people and is therefore a racist. We can acknowledge patriarchy without painting (all) men as monsters just as we can acknowledge racism without labelling (all) white people as racist.