Ecofeminism

I believe that an abortion is a FEMALE issue (biological). Yes, men have rights to the child when the child is born (in my opinion). The woman should be the ONLY one to make the call on whether she will hold the baby to full term. A man can turn their back on a child a lot easier than a woman. The man may want a child but at what expense? A woman’s body and a woman being the safety net if he no longer wants to be in the picture.
Hawkins brings up feminism and the environment. Females that usually have abortions are woman that are living in poverty. They have no means of supporting themselves, let alone a child. Often, they may have been exploited by a man to have unprotected sex and then deal with the consequences alone. Other times woman get pregnant to keep a man around because she is afraid to lose him. Sometimes a woman is abandoned and does not want to have a child alone (may not know who the father is). And lastly, some woman are raped. Although men should have rights to a child, that should only be if the woman has consented to her body enduring the changes and if the sex itself was consensual.

Abortion has been viewed as, a “masculine response to unwanted pregnancy” (Hawkins 693). I know of many women that have gotten an abortion solely because the man had pressured them into doing so. They, do this day, regret that decision. I am pro-choice because I do not believe a woman’s moral compass should be more prominent than a man. Men get to live care-free and the woman have to pick up the pieces. All across the world, single moms are at an all time high. A woman should have control over her own body. Plus, we all know that mistakes happen. And just because you are having sexual relations with someone, does not make them someone who is a good co-parent. Which should be more of a concern of people. Practicing safe sex does not just mean using contraceptives, but also being careful who we are having sex (mental connection) and knowing our worth/having sex for the right reasons.

But some ecofeminists believe that abortion is wrong. We are here to protect the Earth and that means the generations to come. “Species are dwindling due to human activities” (Hawkins 691). Species have gone extinct and we are changing the inhabitants of the world/how many are on the planet. This has gone on to the point of limiting the population. Some argue that abortion is needed because it controls the population. I do not believe that we need to limit the population. We should limit our use of resources on the planet per person though. I do not believe we should have free reign to have thousands of abortions, but I do believe that if NEEDED I do not see the problem.

P.S. I don’t have kids but those are close enough to being my biological children. Mommy loves you Pippa and Pebbles

Throughout every aspect of life woman are objectified. Picture football. You think of built men with as much protection on as needed. Now think of WOMEN” S football. Skimpy lingerie and barely any gear. Woman in porn are also objectified. They are used like props, property, and as an object. The common word used is, “b****”, as if she is a female dog. If you think of it as “just a word”, imagine porn where a female calls a man that word. OH, not so hot, is it? Because it has become a gender-based word that compares a woman to dogs. Woman have started using it to define themselves and most men take offense to it. Porn is also known to be catered more to men- removing all emotions. Woman are looked to be dominated. Well how does this relate to food?! “Pornographic conventions bleed into the bloodied animals that are shown wanting to be consumed, that is, wanting their own death (Adams 15).” Talk about cringey. The chicken “wanted” to die/be consumed… just like a woman wants to be dominated in porn?! I wish I could make this up. But if you are a female, don’t worry! You are not looked at as the intended demographic when meat is marketed. Men are the target and that Is why meat is overly sexualized. So next time you see that sexy little rotisserie all tied, give it a good little wink and see how creepy you feel.

http://caroljadams.com/examples-of-spom/
Here are some examples:

This image depicts a chicken with a tan line in the shape of a bikini. The chicken is supposed to represent a woman that has just come from the beach. The chicken is “thick” like woman are expected to be. Which BTW that chicken has a better summer body than me right now.

This image shows a famous African American rapper, that goes by the name of Ludacris. He is shown with a woman’s leg being used to represent a chicken leg. He is posing as if he is eating chicken and sprinkling salt. This shows how woman are sexualized, as if food. The most important thing is that it highlights typical stereotype. The woman’s leg is just as important. It is a woman of color and she is being used as a prop. Within feminism, woman of color are disregarded.

Within everything going on in the world, this is just horrendous. Let us begin with the name, “burgerurge”. It is already disgusting. But let us continue. The man is a “doctor” and the patient is lying with their legs open. It looks to be in the position that a woman would be asked to lie in. There is a burger in between her legs. This sexualizes the burger as a craving; like one would have for female genitalia. BUT joke is on them! It is supposed to use heterosexual behaviors, while super sexualizing it, as a marketing tool for food. YET any man that think he’s, “THE MAN”, for this and a lady’s man at that, gave me a good laugh. So, while they were trying to sexualize food and WOMAN, I think of male genitalia when I think of “beef” between someone’s legs. I truly hope this ad was not new and tried to sexualize the pandemic we are in. I don’t know if I can swear on my blog so: @$%^**@&^@$*%@^&*

An example I found: https://www.pinterest.com/thepawreport/sexual-politics-of-meat/

This shows a chicken being cooked by none other than a woman in lingerie and heels. This is supposed to market meat to consumers; AKA men. It works because what man does not want to walk into a kitchen with a sexualized female cooking a sexualized chicken. It is all about the fantasy. And a fantasy in fact. What woman is cooking like this?! How realistic is this?! As if a woman in the kitchen isn’t already a gender-role, lets make her half naked. Do woman not have sexual desires? I petition to only see men in little speedos cooking chicken in the chicken and not on the grill either. I want them in aprons and all. I sound crazy right? GOOD! Little perspective for yah.

Have you ever thought about food having anything to do with gender? No? Well don’t worry because I never did either. But do you ever remember 90’s movies where a couple is on a date and the man always orders a steak and the woman orders a salad? What about movies that used that as an opportunity to make a comedic scene? This would have the woman ordering a steak and a large amount of food as well, while the man is shocked. Woman in society are expected to be healthy, neat, and small portioned eaters. Yet men are expected to eat a lot and that emphasizes a ton of meat. “The experiences of women in patriarchal cultures are especially valuable because women, more then men, experience the effects of culturally sanctioned oppressive attitudes toward the appropriate shape of the body (Curtin 1991). AKA a woman is expected to look a certain way, all the time.
Woman, on average, eat more fruits and vegetables than men. They are also more likely to become vegetarians/vegans. It is an odd lifestyle difference. If one was to ask a man to refrain from eating meat, he would be so dramatic. It is as if eating red meat is a sign of masculinity. Maybe due to history, it has become embedded in evolution. Men were the known hunters of tribes and villages. They would hunt the animals, bring them back, provide meat, and skins/furs for protection from the cold/clothing. Woman were expected to harvest and collect the grains/vegetables. Eating meat was used for survival. One needed it to stay strong and live in harsh conditions. Yet science has proved that meat is not always good, and that fruits/vegetables/grains can hold more nutritional value. Society still eats meat even though we are no longer in survival mode.
This image, to me, highlights the killing of the animal and then the gratification of eating it. Also, this practice of carving is found at mostly expensive restaurants. One who can afford this form of consuming meat would have money. We have now put “levels” to meat eating and made it something of the norm; animals being raised just to be killed in masses.
I believe some countries are in poverty and due to survival need to eat meat. Also, some people that have tried being a vegetarian have difficulty health wise. I do believe we have started eating meat just because we can vs why we as humans had originally started to. We have taken our power of being highest on the food chain and exploited it. We do not consider the animals feelings, which have been scientifically proven to exist. BUT it didn’t take a genius to see that. There are three different ethical perspectives on this topic; Utilitarian and Consequentialist, and right-based. Utilitarian’s believe there is a scale of suffering one must consider. Consequentialists believe there are rights but exclude non-humans. And right-based groups believe that EVERYONE and EVERYTHING has a right regardless suffering or species. Greta Gaard emphasizes this by highlighting the keeping of pets. We are in control even up until the point of pet ownership. Making sure, “animals do not reproduce or taking them off the street and bringing them into our homes” (Gaard).

P.S. Reading Gaard’s POV has me feeling like so sad that I have my dogs but I love them :((

In my last post I set many goals. And words mean nothing. But, sure enough I stuck to them! ALLL ABOUT THE ACTIONSSSS. I have not eaten any meat, seafood, or poultry through my quarantine. I will continue to do so for as long as I can. I already did not red meat nor seafood. The biggest thing was chicken (boneless only). But I have made the change. It makes me feel better that I am not partaking in the deaths of animals anymore. I do believe that God has put resources for humans to eat on the planet already. These resources hurt no one and provide the same beneficial vitamins and diet needs; as meat would. We are no longer living off survival that we need to hunt. I have posted my views on how to eat meat on Facebook. I believe that meat should be eaten as the first thing on the plate. An animal died in order to provide that meal. People always dump their meat because they have filled up on their sides. But that animals’ life was lost for you to dump pieces of its body?! All for some measly corn?! Corn has no feelings and did not have to die. I have been so moving, that my best friend has started to eat in this order because she had never thought about it that way. I decided that if I cant sway people 100% that I should meet them in the middle. That compromise allows for at least conscious/responsible eating. I have been very vocal on my social media. I have shared memes and articles regarding how animals are being kept in captivity and that we should now be moved to empathize with them because now were also being held in captivity. I have also watched another documentary, “Don’t F**k With Cats”, that highlights a goose hunt for a man who had a fascination with killing small animals live. It triggered my anxiety and depression more BUT it gave me hope that there are people in the world that truly hold the same views as me. I saw a post that said that for the first time, one animal shelter had all its animals adopted. That truly made me happy that these animals are being loved and in homes (THEY BETTER BE!). When it comes to scraps of food, I stood true to my word. I make sure to collect all the fruit peels and excess fruit to throw in the yard. I scatter it about. I am hopeful that some small animals could make use of it or the Earth. I even cut up the plastic water bottle packaging, any 6-ring plastic casing, and any bags of clementine. I do not know where my trash may end up and I do not want to be the reason any animal chokes, suffocates, and/or dies. I am doing my part to ensure that I am taking care of the Earth even when I am not around. Lastly, I am focused on me. I wish everyone was operating or thinking in this manor but unfortunately it is not. But I am focusing on what I can do. I am making sure I am doing my part and worrying about what I am in control of.

P.S. That is Pippa(blonde) who was adopted from a shelter from Kentucky, with her sister Pebbles <3 From the comfort of my throne (my sofa), Joelle

With everything going on with the world, and humans being quarantined, the Netflix documentary, “Tiger King” has become a national fad. The documentary follows men and woman across the United States that own exotic animals. Some own them as personal pets, while others own them as a form of living; owning zoos/sanctuaries. The men in the documentary constantly gloat about how it brings them power, status, financial gain, and many partners sexually. Yet, the antagonist, Carole Baskin, is the only one that takes an emotional outlook on why she owns the animals. I believe that it was looked at as if, as a woman, she should stay in her own “lane”. She was targeted throughout the series and had made enemies with a variety of men. Yet, the men were up to shady things.
Many of the men had used these animals for enticing woman and men to sleep with them. They felt they were entitled to species that belonged in the wild/were extinct. They put these animals in cages, while also breeding them, all for personal gain. These men were interested in domesticating wild animals in order to make money off entrance/interaction fees, selling these animals to other owners, and donations made to their facilities. The well being of these animals were not prioritized. Countless times throughout the documentary animals abuse, neglect, and termination were brought up.
If I learned anything in this class, it is that with power comes responsibility. We are on this Earth to protect the wildlife. We should not be caging these animals nor domesticating them for personal gain. These animals become depressed and are forced to fulfill our means as humans. This documentary really made me realize, more than ever, that the laws in the United States (no matter how mighty we feel in the world) are horrendous. We need to speak on behalf of the animals that do not have rights/a say and men (majority of people doing this) that are implementing their selfish ways.
AND if the documentary hadn’t moved you yet, maybe being quarantined in your house (your “cage”) will. This is the feeling that these WILD animals have throughout their entire lives while held in captivity… without even mentioning big zoos and aquariums in the US.
What can little ole me do with such a big task? I plan to stop eating meat, seafood, and poultry throughout this whole quarantine. I plan to educate people about choices they make when selecting foods; things like eat the meat on your plate FIRST. I want to share more information on my social media outlets to friends and family about animal abuse across the world and to adopt, adopt, ADOPT pets! I already do not wear any animal furs and I will continue that. I will not waste food by throwing it in the trash, when I can put in the backyard for animals (healthy food). And most importantly, I vow (as I’ve been doing) to consistently be the voice and protector of animals until I die. This topic is so important to me. I learned as a female, I am one with the planet and I will always do my part to make sure all of its inhabitants are protected.

P.S. That photo with the zebra was from a lady’s house in Florida. I got to see a handful of exotic animals and it was incredible. BUT I truly feel horrible about it now.

P.S.S. Carole Baskin, killed her husband. That is all.

From the comfort of my throne (the sofa),
Joelle

Intersectionality was a term created by Kimberlé Crenshaw. “Intersectionality and the Changing Face of Ecofeminism”, by A.E. Kings, describes intersectionality as, “the interconnectedness of race, class, gender, disability, sexuality, caste, religion, age and the effects which these can have on the discrimination, oppression, and identity of women and the natural environment” ( 64). It’s original intention was to shed light on the lives of black woman. They were known to not only be discriminated against for their complexion, but also for their gender. Women’s rights, back in the day, meant rights for only white woman.

There are three approaches to intersectionality: anticategorical, intercategorical, and intracategorical. Anticategorical focuses on, “deconstructing categories used to describe social groups. Intercategorical uses pre-existing categories solely to document inequality. Intracategorical uses categories while examining changes in equality” (Kings 67). Ecofeminists mostly use the intracategorical approach.

Intersectionality is compared mostly to a, “web of entanglement, than a traffic junction or road” (King 64). A web is dainty and simple. A thin, silky, clear, thread-like material. Yet, if one looks closely, it is intricate. When one looks at it, one can see it’s beauty, the time, the effort,and the uniqueness. Most importantly? The strength. Ecofeminism and intersectionality go hand in hand with this metaphor. Woman are intertwined. No matter their gender, sexuality, race, religion, etc., they deal with the same oppression under the one similarity; being a woman. Just like the web, woman are looked at as dainty. Woman are also seen as simply woman; only. Their emotions are thought to be as thin as thread. Yet, woman are more than that. Woman are intricate beings, with many layers. Beautiful. Each unique. And most importantly? Strong. Just like the web intersectionality, a woman is strong. The web, as delicate as it is, braces climates/weather, and captures even the heaviest of insects. The woman’s intersectionality web is made up of what society casts as “weak”; woman. But, while many woman focus on their differences amongst eachother, they miss that they have more similarities than they realize and deal with many of the same oppressions. A web works strongest when all pieces are held together. Woman would be stronger as a whole if they stood together to fight oppression.

“Undersea”, by Rachel Carson- “Against this cosmic background the life span of a particular plant or animal appears, not as a drama complete in itself, but only as a brief interlude in a panorama of endless change” (67). What can be taken away from this quote? That change is important. No matter our physical environment, we should plant ourselves, and blossom. But not STAY planted. Evolve, move, and form new dynamics. We are allowed to change. Living things, like intersectionality, should be constantly changing in order to flourish. How can this be? “Integrating one’s past, present, and future into a cohesive sense of self is a complex task that begins in adolescence and continues for a lifetime” (Tatum 10). We are products of our biology, our environment, and life experiences.

What can we do to end the cycle? For once, focus on the big picture. We are all under the same umbrella. We are all woman. We need to stop counting the rain drops and analyzing what angle they are coming from. Our biggest thing is realizing that we are ALL getting rained on. We must all stop praying on the downfall of others, so we in turn feel better about ourselves. “The horror of class stratification, racism, and prejudice is that some people begin to believe that the security of their families and communities depends on the oppression of others, that for some to have good lives there must be others whose lives are truncated and brutal” (Allison).

From the comfort of my throne,

Princess Joelle

The Raouché:
Also known as: Pigeon Rock
Location: Beirut, Lebanon.
A well known tourist attraction and historical site.
A representation of my culture and my ancestor’s homeland.

Williams’ bedrock of democracy (from Terry Tempest Williams’ Homework):
“Each of these places, home work is required.
Participation of the public.
To make sure all is not lost.
While we progress.” (Williams, 19)
AKA a civil duty.

The Raouché is a rock formation that was created from an earthquake. It is a must-see whenever one visits Lebanon. It makes for great photos and scenery. It is located off the shore, in front of 5-star hotels and restaurants. The area is also known to be heavily populated by Muslim woman that read fortunes for money. It is to be expected that one will be approached multiple times for palm readings. Many unattended children also populate the area begging for money. Pigeon Rock, along with the demographic, is a staple for that area of Lebanon and would be a shame to no longer be have available. But, due to the salt water, polluted area of water, and amount of human traffic, the rock has started to erode. Having nice things requires upkeep. Being a public landmark, people assume they hold no responsibility of their actions/littering and the upkeep of said rock. That is not the case. Humans should be conscious of their human foot print and how it effects the world around them. Landmarks are things we hope to share with generations to come and unfortunately, no one realizes that their care of things matters. That could be: throwing one’s trash in a can, tending to areas that are heavily trafficked, and/or keeping bodies of water clean. This would save land, landmarks, and wildlife.

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Kingsolver suggests that we need wildness.
I COMPLETELY AGREE.

Humans are a species. They are wild and have gotten more and more domesticated throughout the years.
“Caveman” to 2020… big difference.. no?
Yet, we will always have that urge to be “FREE”.
To crave the outdoors and be one with our mother .. EARTH.
I do believe that we use, “one with our ROOTS”, for a reason.
Because:
We should be grounded.
We should be one with the world around us.
We should be our own trees/life source.

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City Dwellers *NOT EXCLUDED*
The universe is beating around you.
Do you know what artery is beating at any given time in your heart?
No but you’re just sure it’s beating (happy to hear).
Same with the world around us.
We are all in this world and a part of it’s system.
You may live in a more clogged part of an artery but it is an artery, nonetheless.
Ground yourself, even in the concrete, and grow.
Flourish.
And make sure the world around you is a little better, a little cleaner, and a little more unique.
Whether because you’re in it or because you are “watering” your surroundings.

There is no job too small. And neither are you. YOUR fingerprint is always unique and so are you.
Always leave a fingerprint on this earth and try to make it your thumb.. KEEP IT GREEN 😉

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From the comfort of my throne (my bed),

Princess Joelle

So I’ve addressed ecofeminism but now lets locate the roots!

It is important to note that there are many different perspectives and variations of ecofeminism. Most of the differences and commonalities can be categorized by Western and non-Western perspectives. According to Ynestra King, in, “The Ecology of Feminist and the Feminism of Ecology” (1989)”, there are four universal beliefs amongst both viewpoints. One being that women are compared to nature and in turn should take on the struggles of nature as their own. Life on earth is a web, not a hierarchy. Balance is important in a healthy ecosystem. And, for human survival (as a species), we must understand the nature around us. From what I learned last week, I am seeing that I do not agree with many Western beliefs. I believe that stems, mainly, from the portion regarding animals. Western beliefs highlight that humans are at the “top of the food chain”, hence should delegate what and how animals are tended to/used on earth. I do not agree with that. The only person that should have that much power is God. One of the arguments is that humans have languages and are cognitively aware (with an emphasis on men). Yet, I beg to differ. The DUMBEST things I have seen done on this planet have all been done by humans- EMPHASIS on men. I do not believe we as humans should have that power nor have the rights to inflict anything on another living being.

Speaking of the earth… for many ecofeminists, the focus of woman and nature is very prominent. For centuries woman have been compared to many elements of nature. For the woman of Garhwal in India, it is not just a comparison, but a way of oppression. Vandana Shiva worked with Third World women, who are still accustomed to “working off the land”. They use the nature around them to sustain their families and duties in the household. By destroying the land around them, one is destroying the the very identity they have established. That is their livelihood and their life source. They are the known experts of said land. For many, it is all they know. Stripping them of this land would take their knowledge and way of life away; unraveling their definition of womanhood. But of course, this works perfectly for patriarchal agendas. Stripping the land AND the woman of the land of their few rights? Great… a “coupon” for oppression.

For a good read, check out Shiva’s work!
Source: https://www-jstor-org.libproxy.umassd.edu/stable/3178217?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Bina&searchText=Agarwal&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3DBina%2BAgarwal%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bwc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff&seq=16#page_scan_tab_contents

From the comfort of my throne (my bed),

Princess Joelle

I went looking for a photo of a woman gardening in a commercial. Odd selection, right? Well isn’t more odd how commercials portray gardening as a female based hobby/role? Commercials, dialogue, and society expectations limit gardening to a female based demographic. Woman are always depicted as happy, while gardening as a hobby. But, do men not garden? Can men not enjoy it as well? Is it a hobby that reflects a man’s sexuality? Or is it because the Earth/nature are personified as a woman? How has society become so focused on gender roles that we forgot that the nature needs men AND woman to replenish it?

According to, “Warren’s Introduction to EcoFeminism”, by Brendan, Number Two of Eight on Warren’s list of connections between woman and nature, goes into detail about the conceptual connections. “A goal of ecofeminism, is to develop gender-sensitive language, theory, and practices that do not further the exploitative experiences and habits of dissociated, male-gender identified culture toward women and nature”. This is supported by Hobgood-Oster readings that, “Paradise lost its materiality and became a masculine, hierarchical projection. Such theories raise many questions for scholars interested in the reconstruction of early
human civilizations”.

As an ecofeminist, one must take on the struggles that nature deals with. One must focus on balance WHILE allowing diversity. The feminist movement focuses on the struggles of woman and looks for solutions. To break of sexism chains, means to break the false pretense that caring for nature is gender based. Woman are depended on to nurture children and men, along with the Earth. Men should be regarded as nurturers and raising men should also include, gardening and/or taking care of the Earth; just like one would teach their daughter.

So I challenge you… man or woman. When is the last time you did something beneficial for our planet? Would love to hear your comments below!

Photo Credit: https://www.123rf.com/photo_44520360_smiling-woman-working-in-a-commercial-nursery-selling-plants-to-the-public-standing-holding-a-tray-o.html

From the comfort of my throne (my bed),

Princess Joelle

A little old town where everyone talks. There couldn’t be any environmental issues, right?

WRONG.

As of November 18, 2019, the Brayton Point Commerce Center has yet to seek an environmental impact review. The Commercial Development Company is building a commerce center in Somerset, MA, and was requested to be reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. By why? Well the development has a tenant that deals with metal recycling and that is a concern for locals. The tenant was not approved by the town and is considered under development “illegally”. Another alarming detail is the materials and recyclables stored on the lot. Most of these have been exposed to oil and/or gasoline and could potentially leak into Mount Hope Bay.

Hopefully this article with have more developments: https://www.heraldnews.com/news/20191118/no-sign-brayton-point-owners-are-honoring-somersets-request-for-review

From the comfort of my throne (my bed),

Princess Joelle