Jessica’s Comments (group member since Jan 19, 2022)

Jessica’s comments from the The DC SAFE Bookshelf group.

Q2: My biggest takeaway (at least one of them anyway) was the “emerging lesson: we have to create futures in which everyone doesn’t have to be the same kind of person” (pg 57). This particularly resonated with me given how polarized the global political climate is right now, especially in the context of social justice issues. I know that I share common basic rules of living and fundamental values (pg 71) with plenty of people with opposing political beliefs than me (including members of my own family). Brown emphasizes the beauty of both celebrating the individual and moving forward/adapting together. If we have any chance of healing and/or affecting long-lasting change, I think we need to constantly make room for this concept in our work and personal lives.

Answering Question #1: No, I don’t think the implication is that males come out of the womb inherently violent. I’m sure that there are studies out there that show how higher levels of testosterone in male bodies can make them more susceptible to violent behavior, but I think that idea hasn’t received much traction because it’s limited and unpersuasive. Katz is speaking about learned behavior. Men can develop habits (often subconsciously) “from the subtle to the homicidal” that reflect the patriarchal society that they were raised in. He is arguing that violence against women is systemic and that we need to dig it out by the roots through a “a cultural revolution” that will require not only women at the helm, but men too.