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After the Agora: Friday Lecture with Dr. Robert Jensen

On Friday, February 2, 2018, Dr. Robert Jensen delivered the Aggie Agora Friday Lecture on the hidden figure of patriarchy in society and its interactions with radical feminism. Dr. Jensen is a professor at the University of Texas and the author of several books, most recently: The End of Patriarchy: Radical Feminism for Men. The […]

On Friday, February 2, 2018, Dr. Robert Jensen delivered the Aggie Agora Friday Lecture on the hidden figure of patriarchy in society and its interactions with radical feminism. Dr. Jensen is a professor at the University of Texas and the author of several books, most recently: The End of Patriarchy: Radical Feminism for Men. The subject of the lecture was Jensen believes that radical feminism is a hidden figure in itself, as overtime radical feminism has been pushed to the margins of society. Jensen believes now is the most pertinent time for radical feminism to become part of mainstream societal discourse. Jensen introduced his audience to the concept of men as feminists and the unpopular belief that patriarchy in the United States is alive and well. Over the course of the lecture, he discussed the unnatural nature of patriarchy and hierarchy, the patriarchal and racist subtexts of pornography, and the importance of choosing to be a “human” rather than a “man” as dictated by patriarchal society.

Jensen began his speech by explaining to the audience why he was going to speak about the subject of patriarchy and discussed his own radical feminist consciousness. Coming into consciousness can be a painful process, and Jensen shared his own journey being a white male radical feminist from North Dakota. The professor spoke about how being a conscious feminist for him is a trying process. The professor was well aware that his speaking on the subject could be considered condescending, patronizing, or inappropriate. However, despite the difficulty of the subject matter, Jensen created a space of comfortability and accountability.

Jensen claimed that pornography, which is his field of study, has become substantially more degrading to women due to the commercial nature of the industry. Jensen is an abolitionist when it comes to prostitution, as he believes it is deeply embedded in patriarchal violence. He also spoke about the Nordic model, stating that the sex worker should be decriminalized while those seeking sex work services, or Johns, should be criminalized. In regards to sex work, Jensen asked us to decenter the word “choice” in the conversation. Often in the debate over whether to legalize or criminalize sex work, people say, “Well, they had a choice and they chose to be a sex worker”. In response to this, Jensen stated, “Yes, everybody chooses, but there should be a balance of opportunities and constraints. The question is not about what people choose, but rather, what are the conditions under which they choose?”

Jensen’s call to action was for the men in the room, testifying that “radical feminism can help men understand their experience in the world as well”. Furthermore, he stated that if you have influence granted to you by virtue of an unfair hierarchy, then you have an obligation to speak up in the face of injustice and hold yourself accountable. Jensen asked us, “Are you going to embrace to the pathology of the hierarchy or are you going to be a human being?”

Photos from the event:

Dr Robert Jensen Dr Robert Jensen speaks to full audience