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