UPDATE:

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned previously in the praxis post I wanted try to go vegan. I have been wanting to do this for a long time, mostly because of my love for animals. This class has added to this reason because of connections animals and women in a patriarchal society (Both are oppressed, objectified, and sexualized). Before taking this class, I never made this connection. So by going vegan, I am supporting animals and women!

The first few days were difficult to eliminate traces of dairy (minus eggs and butter). Going strictly vegan was very difficult so I wasn’t too hard on myself if I accidently consumed something. It’s going to be a process and its not quiet the perfect routine, but I’ll get there. It was easy to eliminate products that test on animals and are made of animals because I’m already accustomed to avoiding and boycotting this.

Overall, I am glad I tried this and will continue to work towards a vegan lifestyle because of its many benefits to everyone in the world.

-Cheers!

I am saying goodbye to food with any traces of animal products. No more cage free eggs, butter, chocolate, or cheese for this lady! I have been wanting to do this for awhile now and after the vegetarian ecofeminism assignment, I’ve been slowly transitioning by limiting any consumption of these things. Even though I have been a vegetarian for many years now, I’ve never strictly avoided dairy and eggs, but its time. I feel guilty whenever I eat dairy and its nearly impossible to find a company that is ethically sourced. I don’t want to support the speciation and oppression of cows anymore.

I think some of the challenges I’ll face will occur while ingredient checking or while going out to dinner. My plan is to be aware of everything I consume…Grocery shopping tomorrow, should be interesting! I’ll make sure I report next week. This is going to be a great experience for me and I’m happy to be helping animals in the process! I am excited to try some vegan recipes and hopefully I’ll be able to find a tasty vegan cheese.

Photo Credit

I see a direct connection between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature because they are both shown as exploited and oppressed in the readings. For instance, in poor regions of the world where poverty is common, there is also intense environmental degradation. In the article titled, The Brazilian Slum Children Who Are Literally Swimming in Garbage, we are shown the disturbing images of plastic waste, garbage, and children who wade through the disgusting waters. Children and women are subjected to devastating conditions while living in slums. Paulo, the young boy swimming in heavily polluted waters, searches for aluminum cans for income, and he serves as an example of oppression in nature and in poor regions of the world.

Photo by Diego Nigro/JC Imagem

I hope that images like these will “shake the ship”. We need to deal with these issues and come up with a solution for the connection between environmental degradation and human ethics. No child, or person, should be subjected to these conditions. I believe there is a deeper rooted issue here… Its not just about oppression of nature, women and their children, and material deprivation. It’s also about humanity, ethics, and empathy. Images like the one above represent issues going on in the world that the main stream news outlets don’t talk about enough. I think mainstream news (ABC, NBC, CNN, and others) should focus on international news (such as these issues) because many people have no idea this is going on. Our society cannot continue these issues because as climate change continues and the world population continues to rise, these problems will get worse and create more human and environmental suffering.

“Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. These are things you fight for and then you protect.”
― Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai, founder of the greenbelt movement in Kenya, is an example of a ecofeminist that should be recognized for her dedication to solve a major environmental and human health issue in her country. Because of her efforts, millions of trees have been planted and she has created work for women while empowering them in the process.  She inspires hope for all, especially for the women and children in Kenya. Her story, and other grassroot movements like hers, should be known around the world. Its time that the news highlights things like this. I love how Maathai saw a problem, and she tackled it head on, despite persecution from men with a political agenda.

Wangari Maathai Quotes

This web is useful when analyzing your personal interconnecting web.

We can use intersectionality as a tool to view how our social identities interact and intersect. For instance, I can use it to analyze my female gender and how it relates to a male dominated society. Specifically, this use of intersectionality theory viewpoint from individual level, can be applied to my role as a female in a male dominated work place. I represent roughly 15-25% of the females that work in scientific based work environment. We are underrepresented and stereotyped. I grew up as a natural born, white citizen, I never felt oppressed or noticed oppression until I chose a profession that was dominated by men. This shows intersectionality because in some qualities I am privileged, and in others I am oppressed. This idea relates to Dorothy Allison’s analysis on classes in America because on a global level. I have the right to drive a car, have an education, and the right to choose my own career. There are women all over the world who currently don’t get to do any of this… For example, in 2018, Saudi women were given the right to drive a without a man’s permission.

Saudi Women’s Rights- The things Women still can’t do.

Rachel Carson,marine biologist and environmentalist, was oppressed by men throughout her career, but she inspires many women because she didn’t let this get in her way! She is responsible for the total ban on the pesticide chemical, DDT, which had severe negative environmental impacts. DDT was responsible for the decline of many birds of prey, including the Bald Eagle. When birds with a bioaccumulation of DDT sat in their nest for incubation, they would accidently crack the egg because the shell was weakened by the DDT chemicals. I admire that Carson didn’t let the rich, patriarchal chemical companies intimidate her. Thanks to her scientific work and activism, she put a stop to the environmental degradation caused by pesticides.

This beautiful graph shows the increase in breeding pairs after DDT was banned.

(5)

Ecofeminist principles may be applied to analyze government actions and policies. Norgaard and York describe ecofeminist principles and strategies regarding state and government issues by examining how bodies of government (National Parliament) that have higher representation of women are more likely to tackle environmental degradation issues such as climate change.  They suggest that counties with higher gender equality make more efforts to protect the environment for two main reasons:

• Studies have shown that there is a gender gap for environmental issues, meaning women are more likely than men to be supportive of preventing environmental degradation.
• There are links between environmental degradation and gender discrimination (sexism)

They conclude that “if women tend to be more environmentally progressive, the inclusion of women as equal members of society—as voters, citizens, policymakers, and social movement participants—should positively influence state behavior” (1). I like this statement because I agree with it entirely. I will talk about a few women in government that can be used as evidence to support this claim.

An article published by the NY Times focuses on the connection between Climate Change and Women’s Rights. Zandile Gumedehe, the first female mayor of Durban South Africa, is working hard to involve women in combating climate change, especially because in her country women are under represented in government and science (2). She partners with universities to get women educated in science as a way to combat this under representation. This article highlights how women in developing counties such as Durban, South Africa are more susceptible to the negative impacts of climate change, such as drought, because women oftentimes “collect water, food and firewood, and to cook meals — and therefore feel the brunt of extreme weather, disappearing water resources and soil degradation” (2).

Women Combating Climate Change in South Africa

The newly elected United States House Representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Corte, co-sponsored a newly proposed legislation called the Green New Deal. She and many other newly elected women of the house have disrupted the male dominated government by quickly acting on important issues such as climate change. The Green New Deal (which was rejected by the republican dominated US. Senate) would focus on combating climate change and addressing economic inequality. Here are a few goals of the GND:

• “Meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources” (3).
• “Providing all people of the United States with — (i) high-quality health care; (ii) affordable, safe, and adequate housing; (iii) economic security; and (iv) access to clean water, clean air, healthy and affordable food, and nature” (3).
• “Overhauling transportation systems in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector as much as is technologically feasible, including through investment in — (i) zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and manufacturing; (ii) clean, affordable, and accessible public transportation; and (iii) high-speed rail” (3).
• “Spurring massive growth in clean manufacturing in the United States and removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and industry as much as is technologically feasible” (3).
• “Working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers in the United States to eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector as much as is technologically feasible” (3).

Anyone who actively follows politics would not be surprised to hear that this plan was rejected by the republican dominated senate, which only has 25 females currently represented. Climate change is real and its effects can be felt all over the world, including the United States. I hope women like Ocasio-Corte don’t get discouraged by the current administration and senate having large investments in the fossil fuel industry. We need women like her to help confront this issue because the fossil fuel industry can be traced to the leading cause of climate change. This scientific evidence can be found in the United Nations Climate Report.

Bonus: A Kenyan environmental and women’s rights organization The Green Belt Movement focuses on helping Kenyan women who make a long journey to collect limited supplies of water and gather firewood. They bring women together to “grow seedlings and plant trees to bind the soil, store rainwater, and provide food and firewood” (5). The Green Belt Movement has planted over 51 million trees in an effort to protect and restore the Kenyan forests! This group empowers women, gives them hope, work, and combats environmental degradation. This was found in a very interesting publication called Women and Climate Change. Its filled with useful information that pertains to this topic and inspires hope because there are so many women currently addressing this issue.

Citations:

1. Norgaad, Kari, and Richard York. Gender Equality and State Environmentalism. Gender and Society, pages.uoregon.edu/norgaard/pdf/Gender-Equality-Norgaard-York-2005.pdf.

2. Tugend, Alina. “Women’s Crucial Role in Combating Climate Change.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Apr. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/us/womens-crucial-role-in-combating-climate-change.html.

3  “Green New Deal.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal.

4. “Climate Change.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/climate-change/.

5. Photo Credits: http://humansarefree.com/2014/07/10-ways-you-can-connect-to-mother-earth.html

Throughout this blog post you’ll see three images by Carol J. Adams showing the sexualization and objectification of women and animals/nature. The image above depicts a pig dressed as an American 1950s sex icon, Marylyn Monroe. The artist most likely chose to have the pig dressed in her famous white dress because it represents a feminine and beautiful nature. Marylyn Monroe was known for her beauty and sexual allure and she stands out as symbol for “how sexism objectifies women” (1).  Adams talks about how animals and humans are often separated and considered underserving of human emotion or attention. She states, ” being dismissive is inattention with an alibi” . Ignoring this type of advertising allows women and animals to be further objectified in the industry.  This type of oppression will continue to occur if its not publicly confronted by a male dominated economy.

This image is says it all… Top have of the “person” is a burger saying “eat me” while the bottom half shows off a lady with sexy legs in red high heels. Here we have an image clearly showing how women and animals are objectified in the food industry. Cows and women are consumed by people who find this attractive and this sign welcomes this dialogue into its establishment by posting this offensive image.  Adams terms images like this as anthropornography because it poses animals in a sex trafficking format. I find this exploitative image to be highly offensive and gross! This image shows how “women are animalized, and animals are sexualized and feminized” (2).

This image states, “Best butts in Georgia” with sexualized cartoon pig pointing to a food menu. Apparently this BBQ restaurant in Georgia thinks they will generate more business by painting a cartoon pig as a “sexy woman”. Adams mentions how this sexualization of animals is commonly shown in pigs as women (3).  They try to make “misery look sexy” (2) because of the trauma and slaughter that pigs endure before they make it to the dinner table.

“We’re about to reveal something you’ll really drool over” -Arby’s

Instead of a woman holding her breasts, shes holding on to burgers from the Arby’s menu. This is an extreme example of the objectification of women that is sexually driven. Its also sexualizing animals because its comparing “drooling over meat” to “drooling over an exposed woman”.  This double meaning is dangerous to the image of women because by using this in advertising, you’re subjecting all women to negative sexual attention.

Citations:

1. www.theguardian.com/film/features/featurepages/0,,498050,00.html
2. Adams, Carol J, et al. “The Politics of Meat: The Antennae Journal of Nature in Visual Culture Interview with Annie Potts ‘The Politics of Carol J. Adams,’ with Annie Potts Was First Published in Antennae, 14 (Autumn 2010): 12–24. Used by Permission.” The Carol J. Adams Reader : Writings and Conversations 1995–2015, no. 14, 2010, pp. 1–24., doi:10.5040/9781501324369.0009.
3. Adams , Carol J. “Examples of The Sexual Politics of Meat.” Carol J Adams , caroljadams.com/examples-of-spom/.
4. https://chocolateclass.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/female-objectification-in-modern-chocolate-advertising/

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

Greetings everyone!

My name is Holly Williams. Today is the first day of my last semester as a Marine Biology undergraduate! I am excited to take on this ecofeminism blog because I have always wanted to create a travel/nature blog. This will be a great introduction to the process.

A few things about myself:

• Devoted vegetarian and animal rights advocate.
• Deep love for nature, conservation, and animals.
• Reading, yoga, running, traveling, and puzzles.
• Snuggles with my rescue pets.

My values are rooted with the ideals of individuals such as Aldo Leopold and John Muir. I believe that all living things are connected no matter how large or small. More importantly, all things have value and no organism is more superior. We are all trying to find our place in the world and we are all on our own journey. Obviously my journey is significantly different compared to that of a Sloth or a Bee!  I understand from an anthropomorphic point of view this idea may sound bizarre, but you get the idea though, right? I am digging the idea of ecofeminism since it builds on Leopold’s philosophy that all life is interconnected and their needs to be balance in order to maintain a healthy world. This would mean that humans would need to accept that we are not the hierarchical species. The ecofeminism approach takes this idea further but has a significant twist. It’s approach transforms relationships of domination and removes hierarchical thinking. It also focuses on “looking at our relationship with the environment through a feminist perspective” (professor’s notes).

I searched through a collection of blogs to find one that could act as a model for what I have envisioned mine to be like. Obvi, We’re The Ladies on Feedspot appears to be an empowering and positive place to share ideas about feminism. Their Philosophy is as follows: “We work to inspire others, of all genders, to become more educated on how gender inequality affects everyday life”.  I like that they welcome women of different backgrounds and origins. They claim to stand with women no matter what their beliefs are which is pretty cool. It’s a place for all women to feel connected and safe.  I’d like my blog to be inviting and warm like this one. Mine needs to be a positive outlet to talk about important issues, explore ideas, and discover solutions to environmental issues. This blog obviously will not model my blog in regards to the human induced environmental issues that we see all around us today.

For instance, who likes candy? Especially MARS chocolate like M&Ms and Snickers? I know I do! But I have been boycotting it for years because of an unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly ingredient called Palm Oil. This ingredient can be found in almost all candy, sweets, chips, shampoos, soaps, and even toothpaste! It’s in everything!  Harvesting this ingredient has lead to a human induced extinction event in one of the most intelligent animals on the planet: the Orangutan also known as the Spirit of the Forest. Deforestation and habitat degradation is the number one threat these animals are faced with. Their habitats are destroyed in order to build palm oil plantations and large corporations exploit poor countries for their own selfish capital gains while amazing wildlife disappears in the background. I urge everyone to make an informed decision to boycott products with palm oil and share this knowledge with everyone.

Palm oil has an indirect relevance to where I live because its literally on every isle in the grocery store…I can’t escape it.  When grocery shopping, I have to check the ingredients of every new item for traces palm oil. In response to consumers doing this, companies have hidden palm oil under many different names.

For more information on the effects of palm oil:

The Effects of Palm Oil

For alternatives to palm oil:

Finally! A Viable Palm Oil Alternative That Can Save Orangutans and the Rainforests

……………………………………….

If drastic changes are not implemented the three species of Orangutans will face extinction within the next 50 years. We can prevent this outcome by making the pledge to say NO to palm oil. Lets show companies that we don’t want this dirty ingredient in our products.