Month: February 2020

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