RICHIE RESEDA on Dismantling Patriarchy /134
Image from the documentary “The Feminist on Cellblock Y” directed by Contessa Gates and produced by CNN.
“The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today: my own government, I can not be silent.” Those sentiments shared by Dr. King fifty years ago about wars abroad continue to ring true both domestically and globally. Today, we focus on our government’s perpetuation of domestic violence via prisons and jails, and the inherent relationship between patriarchy and mass incarceration with music and freedom producer, Richie Reseda. We must recognize that patriarchy does not have to be the foundation of our society, punishment does not mean justice, and everyone’s growth is severely limited under domination and power. So how do we encourage one another to step away from patriarchal notions and identities and step into relations rooted in responsibility and love? How is our so-called justice system enacting trauma on individuals and families? How do we confront these violent systems through organizing and policy change?
“By dismantling patriarchy we allow people who identify as masculine to be themselves.”
Photo of Richie Reseda by Damon Turner
Freed from prison in July of 2018, Richie Reseda is a feminist ally, community organizer, recording artist, and founder of the social-impact record label, Question Culture. Success Stories, the anti-patriarchy organization he started while incarcerated was chronicled in the CNN documentary “The Feminist on Cell Block Y.” He changes California prison policy with Initiate Justice, an organization he co-founded in prison.
This week’s conversation between Richie and Ayana continues to examine how harmful patriarchy is to us all, why we must let go of our limited understanding of crime, the geography of prisons, and meaningful and revolutionary organizing in prisons. As we explore another facet of our society’s mass violence problem, we are reminded of the dire need to abolish the carceral state and dismantle patriarchy for once and for all.
♫ Music by Paul Cannon & Lake Mary
Take Action
For updates on the Restoring Voting Rights for People on Parole: ACA 6 & AB 646 visit and ways to support, visit https://www.initiatejustice.org/parole-voting-rights-aca6/
For updates on Eliminating Copayments for Medical & Dental Services: AB 45 and ways to support, visit https://www.initiatejustice.org/eliminate-medical-copays-ab45/
For updates on Parole Re-Integration Credits: AB 277 and ways to support, visit https://www.initiatejustice.org/parole-re-integration-credits-ab277/
For updates on Expanding Credit Earning for People Eligible for Youth & Elderly Parole: AB 965 and ways to support, visit https://www.initiatejustice.org/youth-and-elder-parole-prop-57/
If you have a loved one currently incarcerated, you can sign them up to receive Initiate Justice’s quarterly newsletter
https://www.initiatejustice.org/get-involved/
Donate to Richie’s Program, Success Stories, to help grow their feminist and transformational work
https://www.gofundme.com/f/success-stories-program
Donate to Initiate Justice to support their inside-outside organizing strategy as they work towards ending mass incarceration and implementing reforms
https://www.initiatejustice.org/donate/
Follow Richie’s work with Initiate Justice by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
https://www.facebook.com/initiatejustice/
https://www.instagram.com/initiatejustice/
https://twitter.com/initiatejustice?lang=en
If you live in California, you can call your Assembly member to help #FreeTheVote: 916-702-8820. Tell them to vote YES on #ACA6 to #FreeTheVote
For The Wild is a slow media organization dedicated to land-based protection, co-liberation, and intersectional storytelling. We are rooted in a paradigm shift away from human supremacy, endless growth, and consumerism. As we dream towards a world of grounded justice and reciprocity, our work highlights impactful stories and deeply-felt meaning making as balms for these times.