Month: April 2020

PRAXIS PART ONE: HIGHLIGHTS

In my blog, Praxis: Part One, I gave a ‘run-down’ of my ideas for practicing ecofeminism. The current state of the world makes it quite difficult to fundraise or join community-based organizations. I had suggested ‘seed-bombing’ and going vegan as my own personal way to commit to ecofeminism practice and principles.

Further beyond this time of crisis, I have implemented a plan to fundraise via one joint yard sale with my friends and family. I will hopefully be able to do this in July (hoping that we will be doing better in our current health crisis). My friends and family have agree to participate in this yard sale and donate our proceeds to UNICEF.

UNICEF’s mission statement is PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST, ALL OVER THE WORLD. I have always been a supporter of UNICEF and, I believe they are a beautiful example of ecology, feminism, and human rights merging together for one cause.  Just a few things that UNICEF is responsible for:

• “UNICEF helps immunize 45% of the worlds children
• UNICEF has provided lifesaving interventions that have cut child deaths by more than 50% since 1990
• UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to provide these life-saving services
• Last year, UNICEF responded to 300 humanitarian emergencies. 
•  Since 2000, UNICEF has distributed 1 billion insecticide-treated bed nets across Africa. “

  

  If you are interested in more information on this organization please visit: https://www.unicefusa.org/help/advocate

   

PRAXIS PART TWO: RESULTS

Since, my fundraiser for UNICEF is on the ‘back-burner’ during this stay-at-home advisory, I have decided to make a small donation via their website. In addition to this, I will be participating in their online activist community. The online advocacy center on www.unicefusa.org offers information and support on how you can reach members of congress and work towards justice and quality of life for America’s youth. I have begun writing to members of congress on an issue I feel particularly strong about: ending child marriage in the United States. Even today in the United States, children are being married before the age of eighteen due to our flawed and aged out legislature.

https://act.unicefusa.org/childmarriage

In addition to my online presence in UNICEF’s community, I will be ‘seed bombing’ once the weather lets up. It has rained in my town every day this week and, I am waiting for less harsh weather to begin planting. I have already bought a surplus of seeds and, my fiance will be assisting me in spreading the seeds around our community.

Full discretion: I did not become vegan but, will consider it in the future.

FINAL THOUGHTS: MY INSPIRATION

If you were to ask me why UNICEF was so important to me, I would say Audrey Hepburn: my lifelong idol. Audrey Hepburn was born into Dutch royalty in Belgium and was pursuing a career in ballet. Her family were Nazi-sympathizers during WWII but, she raised money with her ballet performances to send to the US and UK’s efforts to end the war. Afterwards she became one of the most famous actresses of all time.

Audrey Hepburn left her career in Hollywood to work full-time for UNICEF. She served on missions in Ethiopia serving those stricken by famine. She served in Turkey on a polio vaccine project. In Venezuela, she worked on training programs focusing on women. In Ecuador and Guatemala, she helped provide clean drinking water. In El Salvador, she worked on literacy projects for children. In Thailand she worked on improving quality of life for impoverished children. In Sudan and Vietnam, she worked on nutrition projects. In addition to all of this, Audrey testified before Congress and launched UNICEF’s ‘State of the World’s Children’ reports,  and tirelessly fundraised.

Finally after being diagnosed with cancer, Audrey Hepburn spent the remainder of her life working in Somalia, Kenya, Switzerland, France, the United States, and Kenya for UNICEF. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and, she is what inspires me every day to be a better person. She is the reason I went door to door fundraising for UNICEF as a little kid.

FINAL NOTE: If anyone in ECOFEM is interested in teaming up or fundraising together for UNICEF please let me know!

ANNOTATED SOURCES

• UNICEF’s mission statement is PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST, ALL OVER THE WORLD, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
• “UNICEF helps immunize 45% of the worlds children, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
• UNICEF has provided lifesaving interventions that have cut child deaths by more than 50% since 1990, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
• UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to provide these life-saving services, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
• Last year, UNICEF responded to 300 humanitarian emergencies, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
•  Since 2000, UNICEF has distributed 1 billion insecticide-treated bed nets across Africa, https://www.unicefusa.org/mission
• Even today in the United States, children are being married before the age of eighteen due to our flawed and aged out legislature, https://act.unicefusa.org/childmarriage
• She served on missions in Ethiopia serving those stricken by famine. She served in Turkey on a polio vaccine project. In Venezuela, she worked on training programs focusing on women. In Ecuador and Guatemala, she helped provide clean drinking water. In El Salvador, she worked on literacy projects for children. In Thailand she worked on improving quality of life for impoverished children. In Sudan and Vietnam, she worked on nutrition projects. In addition to all of this, Audrey testified before Congress and launched UNICEF’s ‘State of the World’s Children’ reports,  and tirelessly fundraised. https://www.unicef.org/people/people_audrey_hepburn.html

PRAXIS: PART ONE

After learning a great deal about ecofeminism this past semester, it is time for action! Activism plays an integral role in ecofeminism. It takes more than just caring about feminism and the environment. It takes a solid plan for planning and implementing change. In the past I have focused primarily on the welfare of animals. I have fundraised for Vest-A-Dog and, adopted shelter cats all my life. I have made recycling and the use of cruelty-free products a priority in my everyday life. But I feel that is not enough and, it is time to do more!

MY PLAN DURING COVID-19

It has been a great challenge for me to determine what I can do to give back to my community during the COVID-19 pandemic. I work full-time in dialysis providing direct patient care so I take enormous care in keeping myself far away from other people during this time of quarantine and social-distancing.

During this devastating time, I will focus on the here and now. It has been almost a beautiful experience going outside and seeing the lack of cars and garbage on the road. It feels like a time of renewal for our ecosystems. Since the majority of my friends and family are out of work and facing the fiscal hardships of this pandemic, I will not fundraise at this time.

My first plan instead is to commit to guerilla gardening during this time. I will ‘seed bomb’, which is the practice of introducing vegetation by throwing seed balls. I believe in this time of human death, I will try to generate life in that sense by planting vegetables and tree seedlings in my community.

My second plan is to become a vegan…..well sort of.

I have struggled with trying to stick to veganism for a quite a few seasons and, I will be taking a different approach this time. I have already eliminated all dairy from my diet as a personal stand against the inhumane dairy industry. I will only buy cage-free meat for consumption from now on. Finally, one week a month I will eat vegan-friendly foods only. This might seem hypocritical but, it is my own way of transforming into a vegan lifestyle: slowly but surely.

MY PLAN AFTER COVID-19

Hopefully soon we can say that the COVID-19 pandemic was just a memory and a dark time in our nation’s history. When that time arrives and, it is safe to once again gather and hug, I will being fundraising and giving back to my community. I will fundraise for UNICEF because, I have always admired the work they do. Not only is UNICEF a human and social rights foundation but, they provide for and fight environmental damage and degradation. My plan is to host a large-scale yard sale with my friends and family and donate the proceeds to this foundation. In addition to this, I will begin volunteering at an animal shelter on the weekends. I have always been an animal lover and, have been blessed by ‘furry children’.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Image One, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/31/how-will-the-world-emerge-from-the-coronavirus-crisis
• Image Two, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/31/how-will-the-world-emerge-from-the-coronavirus-crisis
• Image Three, https://www.blogtalkradio.com/resolutionrdo/2020/04/23/radio-free-south-africa-with-host-schalk-van-der-merwe-and-guest-jason-kohne

ACTIVISM AND ECOFEMINISM

Women and the impoverished are more consistently affected by environment travesty and oppression than men are. In many cultures, women are the sole parent caring for their children. They are responsible for finding clean water for drinking and sanitation. They are responsible for feeding and clothing their children and, providing stable shelter.

I’m not assuming or measuring a woman’s worth based upon whether or not they are mothers or not. Often times, third-world countries are not the most progressive and, actively oppress women. This comes in the form of reproductive health, social and legal rights, and bodily autonomy. Without access to reproductive health or rights, many women don’t have the same choices or safety nets as we do here in the United States (albeit it’s not perfect). Because of the entwined web of oppressed women, environment, and social justice, activism is a priority and a must.

LET’S TALK ABOUT TREE HUGGERS

I’m sure everyone has heard the phrase ‘tree hugger’. Tree-hugging is a form of activism used all the way back in India in the 18th century. In the 1970’s it became known as the Chipko Movement. “The name of the movement comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees preventing contractor’s felling them” (http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/forestry/chipko.htm). This brave resistance was about literally physically standing in the way of mass forest destruction. The outcome of which would cause devastating loss to the poor village encroaching it.

LIVING IN GARBAGE: RECIFE, BRAZIL

Just the images of the children in Recife, Brazil, literally living in garbage is enough to make me want to join a cause to aid them. This is the picture of WHY we need activism. Recife is a Brazilian slum where children swim in garbage-infested waters to find cans to sell. Recife is where ringworm is prevalent in children and, homes consist of carboard boxes.The devastating ecological and social conditions have gained international attention but, have yet to receive aide. The common theme of ecological hardship coincides with poor socioeconomic societies and governments.

How can I be part of the change? Working full-time and going to college full-time has left with ‘minus hours a day’. I plan on continuous volunteer work when I graduate and am afforded extra time. In the meantime, I try to donate monthly to UNICEF. It is not much but I believe every small deed makes a difference. I also plan to become vegan by the end of the year and, to lessen personal waste in our household.

ANNOTATED SOURCES

• Image One https://thewomanpost.com/24969-men-or-women-who-is-most-affected-by-climate-change
• Image Two, https://javelina.co/dont-have-to-be-tree-hugger-to-be-green/
•  “The name of the movement comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees preventing contractor’s felling them” http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/forestry/chipko.htm
• Image Three and Four, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kwpwja/the-brazilian-slum-children-who-are-literally-swimming-in-garbage-0000197-v21n1

(https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/my-environmentalism-will-be-intersectional-or-it-will-be-bullshit/)

INTERSECTIONALITY: WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

      Intersectionality is the belief that ‘we do not belong to simply just one social identity, we belong to multiple social identities’ (https://muse-jhu-edu.libproxy.umassd.edu/article/660551). By this definition we can naturally connect oppressive issues such as women and the environment. What makes ecofeminism different from typical feminism is that ecofeminists believe that the environment is oppressed in connectivity with women.

This tie between women and the environment can be seen in instances such as: women lacking sanitation in third-world countries, women often holding political power LESS than men (unable to promote environmentalism), the sexualization of food, and a range of other factors. The oppression of one is the oppression of all.

There is still some debate regarding intersectionality in feminism. Some feminists that are anti-categorical choose to remain in their self-nominated social identities. I can understand how one might believe this to be the ‘easier’ way. It is easy to put yourself into a box and define yourself as one thing or one cause.

To be fair, before I took this ecofeminism class, I had no idea what intersectionality had to do with feminism. I have always considered myself a feminist but, I had never thought outside of the oppression of women. Now, after learning about the intersectionality between feminism and the environment, I feel awakened to a greater cause.

The more women are oppressed and unable to make their voices heard, the longer we let our environment and ecosystems decline. We are directly and indirectly affected by this decline. Living in the United States has left me indirectly affected and, I believe that is why I had remained in my ignorant bubble leading up to this point. I have never lacked clean drinking water, food, sanitization, or the right to speak my mind.

Because I have not felt the sting of society’s oppression of women and the environment does not make it any less real for the rest of the planet. It is narcissistic in a way to view the world as it is only happening to you. We are all connected and entwined with one another and the Earth we share.

ANNOTATED SOURCES

• Intersectionality is the belief that ‘we do not belong to simply just one social identity, we belong to multiple social identities’ https://muse-jhu-edu.libproxy.umassd.edu/article/660551
• Image One, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/my-environmentalism-will-be-intersectional-or-it-will-be-bullshit/
• Image Two, https://brainworldmagazine.com/becoming-a-global-community-rethinking-our-relationship-to-the-earth/

NORGAARD & YORK

“Since there are clear theoretical reasons to expect that gender equality may be connected to support for environmental protection, we empirically assess the relationship between representation of women in Parliament and state environmentalism. We use state participation in international environmental treaties as our indicator of state environmentalism”

(Pg. 510, Gender and Society, Norgaard and York)

Norgaard and York believed that the environment is interconnected with gender equality and the environment. Progressive societies tend to offer more support and campaign for gender and racial equality, economic and scientific advancement, as well as environmental prevention and management. Because progressive societies tend to focus on gender equality, it would make sense that women in power would then focus on progressive issues; such as environmental concern. They are all interconnected.

(www.wedo.org)

(https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/gender-differences-in-public-understanding-of-climate-change/)

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ & THE GREEN NEW DEAL

      As I’m sure many of you are already familiar with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), she is the mastermind behind the ‘Green New Deal’. The Green New Deal is a package brought for by AOC that proposes legislation that addresses climate change and economic inequality. The Green New Deal suggests approaches such as resource efficiency and renewable energy.

AOC perfectly epitomizes what Norgaard and York were suggesting in their writing. She is a progressive politician who surprisingly won her seat in Congress. From gaining power in the government, she has gone on to address issues such as socioeconomic inequality and the poor state of our environment.

HILDA HEINE & THE CLIMATE VULNERABLE FORUM

Hilda Heine is another perfect example of women in government seeking active solution to environmental ailments. Hilda Heine is the president of the Marshall Islands and the head of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. The Climate Vulnerable Forum is  a global alliance of countries that are disproportionately affected by global warming. The forum addresses these negative effects and seeks to find resolution to aiding the problems.

Hilda Heine has also strongly campaigned carbon-free emissions. She was the first leader to sign an emissions pledge with the Paris Agreement. Her goal is for the Marshall Islands to become carbon-neutral by the year 2050.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

•  Image of Women’s Leadership ‘Full Cirlce’, www.wedo.org
• “The Green New Deal is a package brought for by AOC that proposes legislation that addresses climate change and economic inequality. The Green New Deal suggests approaches such as resource efficiency and renewable energy. ” https://www.npr.org/2019/02/07/691997301/rep-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-releases-green-new-deal-outline
• https://time.com/5669038/women-climate-change-leaders/
• www.thecvf.org
• https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/gender-differences-in-public-understanding-of-climate-change/

ABORTION.  Abortion. Abortion.

 The word is almost like a swear. It has gained more similarity with the F-word than it has with the word procedure. It has become a dirty word to many. For the sake of full disclosure: I am pro-choice. I firmly believe in a women’s right to choose what they will do with their own body. The government should not force women to become mothers in my opinion. I believe in full body autonomy.

Because of my very strong feelings towards abortion and the right to choose, I found Hawkin’s article Reproductive Choices: The Ecological Dimension to go against my beliefs. Hawkins discusses the impact of pregnancy and increasing populations on the world. She discusses at great length the sting of poverty, environment degredation, and the importance of limiting population. By making abortion more readily available, we can help limit the population and therefore limit the negative impact over-populus has on our planet and our society.

While I do agree with Hawkins about the impact of population and, I can also firmly advocate for the availability of abortion services, I disagree about her methods. I feel that an article such as this almost invokes guilt in the reader; or at least that was my experience. I have been at the end of both spectrums: abortion and trying to conceive.

It has taken me a few weeks to write this post and, I am incredibly overdue in writing it. I had debated sharing my personal experiences and, I finally feel comfortable in saying the ‘dirty word’: abortion. I had one….

At eighteen years old  and in an abusive relationship I had an abortion. My reasons broke my heart but they are as valid now as they were then. At thirty, my husband-to-be and I have already begun fertility services and, are planning when we will try to conceive. Even with the difficulties we face getting pregnant, I still do not regret my choice. It is a choice that no one else could have made for me or even tried to impact my decision.

Reading Hawkins, I almost felt that she went from an informative, socioeconomically fact-driven article to one of persuasion. However, I could be biased in my interpretation for a multitude of the reasons I’ve explained. I think that when making the choice to terminate a pregnancy, the personal decision is burden enough without including the weight of the planet on your shoulders.

References:

(Image provided by NPR, https://www.npr.org/2019/09/19/759761114/with-abortion-restrictions-on-the-rise-some-women-induce-their-own)