The image  appears to depict a cartoon man working hard at cutting up some ham meat. There are two knives present. One which the carttoon person is holding to slice three servings and another pierced through the ham itself. Maybe this image is trying to make something that is, to me barbaric, look cute by depicting it as a cartoon, but there is nothing “cute” about this photo. Annually, an estimated 121,317,000 pigs are slaughtered for human consumption in the Us and the annual “kill clock” estimates 8,400,000,000 animals slaughtered so far this year. This is incredibly sad to me. I love animals and I found this topic very challenging to do.

Males= Bacon, Beer, and Burgers. Females= Salad, Soup, and Smiles

I was frustrated when I googled “women eating” and “men eating”. The majority of the images of women eating we of salads which I predicted after reading, “Meat and Masculinity”. This article made me think of the Carls Jr. Hardees commercial where a female model is seductively eating a cheeseburger to target males to go and buy their product (4). Cooooooome onnnn! Really!? Not only that but why were they linking females to their product being “all natural”. Google Hardees sexist commercials if your interested in watching it.

I believe the biggest meat eater stereotype is that males can’t be vegetarians or vegans because its not manly. I can personally attest to this logic occurring with many males. In the past, I’ve been told on dates that if they didn’t eat meat they would feel physically weak and then they give me the speech… “Our bodies were evolutionarily designed to eat meat because our cave men ancestors ate meat, blah, blah, blah”. Unfortunately, many males have been fed this idea that they need meat to survive and to be strong. This is so FALSE. Have you seen Jared Leto or Leonardo DiCaprio? I think the real reason some males are linked to eating meat for survival is because they have been fed this idea in our society.
I’d like to explain why I will not eat meat and it has nothing to do with being male or female but because I’m human who feels empathy towards animals. I don’t eat meat because I feel morally obligated to mitigate animal suffering for human enjoyment. I can survive without meat…I have for many years and I have saved lives by choosing to say no to meat. I can easily supplement my diet to ensure that I receive a balanced diet. Curtin provides an excellent example of meat consumption justification in the Ihalmuit people (8). I respect that they understand the sacrifice of their deer consumption by thanking it and considering it a gift. I am fortunate to have a choice in what I consume. I like how Curtin describes oftentimes how I feel when she says, “It is one thing to inflict pain on animals when geography offers no other choice. But in the case of killing animals for human consumption where there is a choice, this practice inflicts pain that is completely unnecessary and avoidable” (8). I agree 100 percent!

I also agree with Iris Marion Young, in that animals used for human consumption are oppressed in groups via exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence (5). If you buy meat from a grocery store such as Shaws, Market Basket, and Stop and Shop you are contributing to animal suffering and oppression. Companies such as Perdue and Tyson supply their meat to consumers via factory farming and its a massive operation where animals are raised is awful conditions and then brutally slaughtered. Even worse…sometimes Cows come from Australia so its shipped across the world and then slaughtered (3). I can’t imagine the confused thought of the cows enclosed in dark quarters with many others, in piles of its own feces, with the ship rocking and pitching, to wait its death. Its avoidable animal suffering. So, if you’re going to consume meat please consider purchasing your flesh from a local butcher. Its more humane than supporting factory farms or just ditch the meat! There are many benefits: Limit animal suffering, migrate climate change, lower your carbon footprint, decrease certain types of cancers, lower type 2 diabetes, and many more (1,2). Overall, ecofeminsim and animal suffering are closely linked due to the objectification of animals through cruel and inhumane practices for human consumption. It’s amazing to see a pig or cow that’s been robbed its identity experience fresh grass and a little bit of TLC. Please watch this short video about cow that escaped slaughter and captured the hearts of so many people because she put a face to someone’s steak (6). Check it out.

Maxine’s Dash for Freedom

Greta Gaard defines the distinction between people who love animals, and feminists who “politicize their care for animals”. The owner of Bella the Parakeet appears to love her bird and other pets, but an ecofeminist would immediately pick up on the speciesism Bella faces. Bella is denied a companion because the lady claims, “parakeets don’t pay as much attention to humans if they have a companion” (7). This selfish attitude towards Bella affects its wellbeing and leads a social creature to live a lonely life. Gaard provides a simple example of animal opression by humans. I like this example because it highlights a very important issue in the animal trade and the pet industry. Many people get pets (especially exotics) without understanding their fundimental needs. Bella needed basic bathing materials and a companion which would improve her quality of life. My rescue, Phil the Bearded Dragon, was denied basic animal husbandry ( a UV light and heat lamp) and his bones turned to jelly which is very painful. So many animals unwillingly suffer for human interest. If anyone wants a pet, please research and ask yourself if you’ll be improving the animal’s life before you make the commitment.

A photo of Philly Willy, the rescued Bearded Dragon who suffered from Metabolic Bone Disease and malnutrition. When I recieved Phil, he couldn’t lift his head and I was concerned about prolonging his suffering, but when he looked up to at me as I suringed him a apple/kale smootie. I knew this little guy had a will to live. He was probably so relieved that someone was giving him the strength he currently lacked to lift his head to eat. Now he can walk, eat, and shed on his own and he taught me an important lesson about will power, forgiveness, compassion, and empathy. Disclosure: I’d probably not own an exotic unless it was a rescue/rehabilitation situation.
“To be a pet is to have all one’s life decisions controlled by someone else” -Gaard
I found this part of the reading true in ways but also controversal. Cats and dogs which have been domesticated are most likely not being oppressed in my opinion unless they are being denied proper care. And if they did come from a puppy mill! My resued Shih Tzu, Irie spent the first 6 years of his lonely life in a cage without socialization and basic care. When he was finally rescued his eyes were so damaged from the lack of grooming that one of his eyes was removed. He suffered major anixety and he was afraid everything. He’s 14 now and a completely different dog but it took a lot of time before he regained his identity. So yes, some animals are oppressed as pets for humans, but I don’t believe all animals are subjected to this.

I would sing this song to Irie because I wanted him to have some positive vibes after six years worth of negativity.  And I can’t carry a tune, but that’s okay!

“Don’t worry about a thing,
‘Cause every little thing gonna be all right”.

-Three Little Birds -Bob Marley

Citations:

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/becoming-a-vegetarian
2. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/9-reasons-why-veganism-can-save-the-world/
3. https://www.thedodo.com/cows-export-mexico-slaughter-1100836446.html
4. http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/12/11/unappetizingly-sexist-fast-food-commercials/
5.Eisenberg, Zoe. “Meat Heads: New Study Focuses on How Meat Consumption Alters Men’s Self-Perceived Levels of Masculinity.” Huffington Post, 13 January 2016. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoe-eisenberg/meat-heads-new-study-focuses_b_8964048.html.
6. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=factory+farm+cow+experiences+freedom&&view=detail&mid=496AC2D759EE9CCB6162496AC2D759EE9CCB6162&&FORM=VRDGAR
7.Gaard, Greta. “Ecofeminism on the Wing: Perspectives on Human-Animal Relations.” Women and Environments Magazine, 2001, pp. 19-22.
8.Curtin, Deane. “Contextual Moral Vegetarianism.” Hypothia, no. 6, 1991, pp. 68-71. Retrieved from http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/curtin01.htm.

I grew up in many places and during my adolescent years I never realized how special it was for me to experience daily life in different places. It might be one of the reasons I am drawn to traveling to new places. It came with its challenges, making new friends and getting used to a daily routine…But it also came with perks, exploring nature. I feel at peace when I am surrounded by nature and it allows me to appreciate how complex the biological world is. Because I moved so much I needed to find a place where I could explore yet feel grounded. I found this in visiting beaches. No matter where I am in the world I know I’ll feel at home as long as I am able to visit the shoreline. The ocean carries my history and dreams… It’s a place where I can wonder while wandering the shores. Its even the place formed by career around. These aquatic places help me to clear my head and allow me to feel at peace. I love the smells, the mystery of it’s depths, and the way I feel magnetically drawn to it.

Coastal environments mean to me what the log cabin in the woods of Walker Mountain means to Kingsclover. I love her imagery as she describes the hollow where her family dwells during summer, “ I love this rain; my soul hankers for it. Through a curtain of it I watch the tulip poplars grow. When it stops, I listen to the woodblock concerto of dripping leaves and the first indignant Carolina wrens reclaiming their damp territories” (1). This home away from home is where she connects with nature and where she feels joy. I love that! My soul is totally drawn to the sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean. Kingsclover states, “I consider myself lucky beyond words to be able to go to work every morning with something like a wilderness at my elbow” (1). I can relate to her because I feel lucky that my job allows me to spend a lot of time on beaches and coastal environments such as marshes and bays.

For work, I do Oyster and Quahog various restoration projects in local waterways around Buzzard’s Bay. I spend roughly 75% of my work in coastal habitats. This means I unfortunately see A LOT of trash and plastic waste littered along the shoreline. I think we are responsible for others unwillingness to care because it indirectly affects all of us. Williams mentions that wild places such as the canyons are becoming more symbolically significant, “as the world becomes more crowded and corroded with consumption and capitalism” (2). She urges these special, wild places need to be “willingly protected” to ensure their ecological preservation. I hope that eventually everyone sees the intrinsic value in nature and starts taking better care of the planet we call home.

Works Cited:

Kingsolver, Barbara. Knowing Our Place, PBS, 2002, http://www.pbs.org/now/printable/transcript_smallwonder_print.html. Accessed 15 Feb 2019.

Williams, Terry Tempest. Home Work, https://umassd.umassonline.net/bbcswebdav/pid-1227044-dt-content-rid-11913334_1/courses/D2830-12796_MASTER/Scanned%20from%20a%20Xerox%20multifunction%20device001%283%29.pdf. Accessed 15 Feb 2019.

The global south refers to areas of the developing world such as Africa and Latin America. These areas of the world have been linked to environmental degradation which is the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources.  Throughout these areas the majority of women are responsible for gathering water resources for their families for all basic necessities such as cleaning, bathing, drinking, and eating (1). The types of water environmental degradation seen in these regions are limited water availability, over consumption of water, water contamination, and climate change (1). An inequality that I learned about that is absolutely heartbreaking is that there are women in these regions that miss out on getting an education because they are forced to travel miles to collect clean water. It makes you think about what we (USA) take for granted. We turn on our faucets and WAHLAA, hot fresh water.  No one should struggle for basic access to clean water and more needs to be done so the voices of these women are heard.

A grassroots organization called Women For Water advocates for equal management and access to fresh water. They have many helpful projects at work. One of these projects works with school aged girls in Kenya to provide them with safe water, sanitation, and green energy. This project has been responsible for “building 48 toilets including bathrooms/washing areas, 24 rainwater harvesting tanks in 12 schools, distributing 350 solar lamps and 165 fireless cookers in 6 communities, next to organizing stakeholder meetings and capacity building/training” (2). All of these things lead to a better quality of life for these girls and gives them better opportunities. Check out the link below for more information on this project.

https://www.womenforwater.org/safe-water-sanitation-and-green-energy-for-school-girls-in-kenya.html

Comparing Western and Non-western Feminism

Bina Argarwal looks at women’s relationship with the environment from a non-western perspective. She states, “Nature is seen as inferior to culture; hence, women are seen as inferior to men” (3). This draws on previous readings and understandings of ecofeminism philosophy.  Feminist environmentalism is a term she uses as a formulation to ecofeminism arguing that poor women in developing countries (India) are victims of environmental degradation in gender-specific ways and that both the symbolic and material links between people and their environment are interconnected (3). She finds the quality and quantities of natural resources are actively suffering from degradation and calls for reform to make access to resources for poor families, especially females more accessible. Grassroots ecology movements across India are workings to close the gap between gender inequality and environmental degradation. In instance, some women are getting involved by “actively and frequently protecting the trees, stopping tree auctions, and keeping vigil against illegal felling” (3). They even form “watchwomen” to protect their forests and started a replanting movement to bring back their trees.  I gathered that women appear to acknowledge that environment cannot withstand exploitation for material components with a balance of protection.

Hobgood- Oster’s western ecofeminism perspective identifies that patriarchy and domination lead to the oppression against women and nature together.  In order to combat this oppression, she suggests tearing down patriarchy and “dismantling it” (4). I totally agree with her but I feel like her perspective is less realistic at this current time. I think Argarwal’s perspective is more realistic because it starts at a grassroots level and builds. Both of them have great ideas but Argarwals offers more solutions to the problem while Hobgood-Oster focuses more on blaming.

Citations

(1) http://feministcampus.org/campaigns/women-and-climate/

(2) www.womenforwater.org

(3) The Gender and Environment Debate: Lessons From India, Agarwal, Bina

(4) Ecofeminism: Historic and International Development, Hobgood-Oster, Laura

Ecofeminism breaks down domination ideology by combining feminist and ecological thought leading to the liberation of women and nature. There are many forms of ecofeminism but they all believe “oppression of the natural world and of women by patriarchal power structures must be examined together” (Hobgood-Oster). Patriarchal structures abuse their powers and statue in order to justify the oppression of women and nature. Ecofeminists challenge this by envisioning ” a radical reshaping of the basic socioeconomic relations and the underlying values of this modern industrial society (Ruether).

The dark side to beauty products can shown in the photo below. 

..bhaz.com.br

I’d like to analyze the cosmetic beauty industry from an ecofeminist perspective. The multi-billion dollar (over 500 billion) beauty industry targets females by claiming that certain products will make them look younger and beautiful if their products are purchased but to what environmental cost? Ladies, you are beautiful no matter what! Please don’t feel pressured to wear make-up because society says its feminine and proper. If you choose to wear make-up, I hope you do it for you and not for society, but I digress. This industry exploits nature for capital gains by performing gruesome tests on innocent animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, monkeys, and rats.  Then they target women by claiming that if they buy their products they will look more beautiful and younger. I will not go into detail describing disturbing things that occur to animals during these “tests” but I will say that it is painful to the animal and they are often killed and disposed of after being tortured for money. This type of exploitation of nature and women draws on Warren’s ethical connections because of the treatment towards animals. I am interested in exploring more literature on ecofeminsits ethics of care towards animals and wildlife. Let me know if you find some interesting literature. This example is an ecofeminist issue because the consumer industry exploits  animals for capital gains and then targets people to purchase their products so the can be “beautiful”.

Many cosmetic companies are abandoning this unnecessary practice because consumers don’t want to take part in the exploitation animals. If you are interested in learning about  cruelty-free products please check out Cruelty Free Kitty. I love this website because they will tell you which products are exclusively cruelty-free and which products are cruelty-free unless the law requires it. For instance, all finished cosmetic products sold to China must be tested on animals.  Also, many products will claim ” not tested on animals” even though they actually are!  Confusing Right? Basically, the FDA does not have any control over the labeling therefore a company can test an animal and label it as “not tested on animals” as long as the finished product has not touched an animal. It can be very misleading and overwhelming but Cruelty Free Kitty has helped me out so many times while shopping at Sephora. My favorite products that don’t sell to China and are completely cruelty free are TARTE, Sunday Riley, and Ole Henrikson.

About Us

Citations:

Hobgood-Oster, Laura: Ecofeminism: Historic and International Developments

Warrens, Karen: http://thereitis.org/warrens-introduction-to-ecofeminism/

Cruelty-Free kitty Website