The Patron System and Complicit Solidarity

Sor Juana's intellectual life depended entirely on her patron, the Countess de Paredes. This patronage system—common in colonial and feudal societies—meant her privilege was conditional, mediated through another's power. This concept examines how privilege rarely stands alone but depends on relationships with those who hold greater institutional power. Acknowledging privilege requires naming our patrons, supporters, and advocates. It demands recognizing that our safety or success may be tied to systems we benefit from even as we critique them. Sor Juana navigated this complexity by using her patron's influence strategically while maintaining intellectual independence where possible. The framework suggests that complicit solidarity—acknowledging both one's dependence on oppressive systems and one's simultaneous resistance to them—is more honest than claims of purity. Those with privilege must name their patrons and ask what obligations their support creates. How can we leverage the patronage we receive toward the liberation of those without such advocates?