No, i’m not a patriarch and I don’t want to be. I grew up in a family that believed the man was the head of the house, and that belief really distorted my view of power. As a kid, it put a mark on me. I thought the man of the house had all the control and power, and it made me scared. It made me afraid of men, because I believed all men were like that.

when I hear the word “patriarch,” I think of control and power over people, and I don’t want any part of that. I want families and groups to have equal rights, equal decision making, and an equal level of power. I think each person should have power over themselves. If i’m a patriarch of anything, it’s just of myself. I believe everyone is responsible for their own decisions, and even people who are so‑called “in power” are responsible for the way their decisions affect everyone else.

In a family setting, I think decisions should be shared and everyone’s voice should matter. To me, patriarchy is a form of power and control over people, and that’s the opposite of the kind of life and relationships I want.

So, no I am not a patriotic and I don’t believe in it.