Vortex: The Crisis of Patriarchy

by Susan Hawthorne

In this enlightening yet devastating book, Susan Hawthorne writes with clarity and incisiveness on how patriarchy is wreaking destruction on the planet and on communities. The twin mantras of globalisation and growth expounded by the neoliberalism that has hijacked the planet are revealed in all their shabby deception. Backed by meticulous research, the author shows how so-called advances in technology are, like a Trojan horse, used to mask sinister political agendas that sacrifice the common good for the shallow profiteering of corporations and mega-rich individuals. She details how women, lesbians, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, the poor, refugees, and the very earth itself are being damaged by the crisis of patriarchy that is sucking everyone into its vortex. Importantly, this precise and insightful volume also shows what is needed to get ourselves out of this spiral of destruction: a radical feminist approach with compassion and empathy at its core. The book shows a way out of the vortex: it is now up to the collective imagination and action of people everywhere to take up the challenges. This is a vital book for a world in crisis and should be read by everyone.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2020

About the author

Susan Hawthorne is the author of six collections of poetry, a novel, political theory and a quiz book. Her poetry collections include The Language in My Tongue (1993), Bird (1999), The Butterfly Effect (2005), Unsettling the Land (with Suzanne Bellamy, 2008), Earth’s Breath (2009) and Cow (2011). Her other titles include The Falling Woman (1992), Wild Politics (2002) and The Spinifex Quiz Book (1993). Susan is a poet, novelist, aerialist, political activist and publisher.

Born in Wagga Wagga, she grew up in rural New South Wales. She has a BA (Hons) from La Trobe University in Philosophy, an MA (Prelim) in Ancient Greek language and a PhD in Political Science and Women’s Studies both from the University of Melbourne, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Sanskrit from La Trobe. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Writing Program at James Cook University, Townsville. In 2009, Susan was an Asialink Literature Resident at the University of Madras, Chennai. She has lectured, spoken and performed at festivals and conferences around Australia and in New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, India, France, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Spain, Fiji, South Africa, Uganda. She is also a publisher and Director of Spinifex Press and played a leading role among independent Australian publishers in innovative and eBook publishing.

Reviews

[Louise Hewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Vortex, The Crisis of Patriarchy’ by Susan Hawthorne is a highly readable and concise exploration of the contemporary crises we all face whether we like to think so or not. In nine chapters Hawthorne sets out the challenges we face as a result of patriarchy in its contemporary forms of neoliberalism (with its inherent misogyny), colonialism, globalisation, militarism, and the continuing ‘wars against women’s intimate lives.’ Each chapter is prefaced by poetry, expressions which confront us with the relational and responsive human experience of our connection to the grim matter emphasised throughout this book. Charts to summarise and compare characteristics are also included, such as the two-column chart exploring Neoliberalism as an isolated system in contrast to an integrated system. (p. 26) The integrated system is Hawthorne’s focus.

Two important chapters spotlight the impacts of patriarchy in ways that made this book stand out for me: Chapter Four, ‘Biolcolonialism and Bioprospecting: Wars Against Indigenous Peoples and Women’, and Chapter Six on the ‘Colonisation, Erasure, and Torture: Wars Against Lesbians.’ Lesbians are often ignored in analyses of systemic male violence against women despite, as Hawthorne shows, lesbians’ experiences of sexuality based discrimination, torture and rape, suicide, colonisation, murder, and now the trend for surgical violence (trans-gendering), in “private” and political contexts worldwide.

The Land, climate – our planetary-human relationships – are also discussed throughout the book, and for me it was particularly refreshing to be reading about Australian experiences and issues alongside those from other areas of the planet. Hawthorne’s research, depth of knowledge, and her own experiences in travelling and working with women worldwide not only support her claims but emphasise the gravity of the subject she is bringing to our attention. That she names and describes the crises we are facing as patriarchal at the root is important: knowledge is power, as it is said. But in this case it is the power to be with, to create, to explore alternatives to current ideologies and systems, and to be able to frame the sorts of questions which are threaded throughout the chapters, leaving the reader with a sense of hopefulness rather than despair. ‘It is attitudinal shift that creates long-term and stable change in societies.’ (p. 250)

I was moved, informed, and inspired by this timely book and recommend it to everyone, everywhere.

[Al North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Well written and researched.