Sep 28, 2018

Brett Kavanaugh, Patriarchy, and Bursting the Ruling-Class Bubble

By Colin Jenkins / filmsforaction.org
Brett Kavanaugh, Patriarchy, and Bursting the Ruling-Class Bubble
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh reacts to questions about allegations of sexual assault.

"Elites" aren't accustomed to adversity, being challenged, or having their birthright entitlements questioned. They coast through their prep schools and Ivy League, and slide into their preordained adult lives without ever experiencing the daily struggles of working people. Their lives exist in a collective bubble, constantly protected from the harsh realities of life that most of us face. In fact, our miserable existence is what allows them to live as they do in the first place - oppressive systems like capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy thrive on this interplay. 

Regardless of the differences elites may have with one another (political or otherwise), they live by an unofficial code of maintaining and protecting each other at all costs. Because they realize that by protecting others within this exclusive club, they're really protecting the socioeconomic hierarchy itself. This code operates much like the "thin blue line" that police have - let bad and evil deeds slide, turn a blind eye, minimize indiscretions, etc. In the rare instance when they turn on each other, their true nature (and culture) is exposed. We are seeing this now with Brett Kavanaugh. 

The sheer rage that spills from such an entitled existence is like no other. There is very little doubt that he is guilty of what he's being accused of, as his entire path through life occurred within the narcissistic, haughty, callous, misogynistic environment that encompasses elitist, white, frat-boy culture - where such transgressions are routinely protected. Even far "below" these "elite" circles, women are victimized everyday by merely existing within the confines of patriarchy and capitalism. Men throughout society generally get away with this behavior. But "elite" men, especially "elite" white men, have been raised to embrace the powers of the bubble and the code that allows them unlimited room to maneuver unethically within it. This applies to all who have access (Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal), not just Brett Kavanaugh. 

When this bubble bursts, this is the result. And they call us entitled for wanting food, housing, and healthcare.

Gender   Politics
Rate this article 
Gender
Health
Education
Trending Videos
Louis Theroux: The Settlers (2025)
62 min - Fourteen years after his first visit and 2011 film The Ultra Zionists, Louis Theroux meets some of the growing community of religious-nationalist Israelis who have settled in the West Bank.Louis...
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace (2011)
174 min - Adam Curtis directs this 3-part series about how humans have been colonised by the machines we have built.The series begins by unraveling the surprising influence of Ayn Rand's objectivist...
HyperNormalisation (2016)
161 min - We live in a time of great uncertainty and confusion. Events keep happening that seem inexplicable and out of control. Donald Trump, Brexit, the War in Syria, the endless migrant crisis, random...
Class Dismissed: A Film About Learning Outside Of The Classroom (2015) ($2)
90 min - "Class Dismissed shows parents a glimpse into the future of education. Everyone concerned with education would benefit by watching this film." - John Taylor Gatto, Former New York State Teacher of...
Samantha Bee on How Progressives Slept Through the Most Important Election in Recent History
6 min - The boring, who-cares midterm snoozefest that was the most important election of your lifetime. Watch Full Frontal with Samantha Bee all new Mondays at 10:30/ 9:30c on TBS!
Bangkok Barcelona On Foot (2023) ($5)
27 min - A 3.5-Year Journey of Courage, Kindness, and ConnectionWhat happens when two adventurous backpackers trade convenience and comfort for courage and curiosity, and set out to walkyes, walk16,000...
Trending Articles
Rebel Wisdom
Long Videos for Listening to While You Move
Subscribe for $5/mo to Watch over 50 Patron-Exclusive Films
Subscribe $5/mo View All Patron Films

 

Your support keeps us ad-free and financially independent

Our 10,000+ video & article library is 99% free, ad-free, and entirely community-funded thanks to our patron subscribers!


Want to double your impact? You can subscribe for $10/mo or more as an extra show of support.