Here's a really cool meme I just discovered and now love. It's called Lessons for Girls and it's an ongoing series about life issues for women, with contributions by various bloggers. Click this link to read the whole thing, but just for instant gratification's sake, here's the basic list:
1. Anger
2. Opting Out
3. On Pity
4. Independence
5. Trust Your Instincts
6. No Apologies
7. It’s okay if not everyone likes you
8. You don’t have to be a mom
9. You can say no
10. Don’t peak early
11. Love your body
12. If you don’t ask, you don’t get
13. You are not what you wear
14. Don’t just ask, insist on help (even if it makes you feel weird)
15. Girl School
16. Romance is for your pleasure and enjoyment
My favorite, I think, is Girl School.
Try it. This stuff is gold. From the blog Historiann.
Showing posts with label feminist philosophies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feminist philosophies. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ecofeminism... Some Thoughts
The topic of ecofeminism -- the theory that the subjugation of women and exploitation of the environment are directly connected -- interests me and intrigues me, but for some reason I have trouble finding useful stuff online for it. However, today I came across a decent article from the University of Western Ontario titled Ecofeminism: our last great hope?
The article emphasizes a point I have read elsewhere in environmental and ecofeminist literature, from theorists like Thomas Berry and James Lovelock -- which is that ecofeminism needs to be, should be, and very well could be an integral and necessary belief system in a world coping with a damaged planet. Tied up in this idea is the hypothesis that we are heading towards a new era of environmental awareness that Berry called the Ecozoic.
The following quote really cuts to the heart of the matter, pointing out the current imbalance (both between humans themselves and also between humans and nature) that needs to be corrected:
"Since women were often associated and even conflated with earth/nature it was a simple logical step to both see women as objects and as passive, with men retaining a higher position in the symbolic order as active subjects. Aristotle did not mince words on this issue. He writes in De Generatione Animalium 'the female, as female, is passive and the male, as male, is active, and the principle of movement comes from him.'"
The male as active and the female as passive? Yep, seems like classic sexism to me... pun intended. Nature has also been traditionally painted as a passive body that receives the influence and admiration of men, rather than as a prime actor in its own right (which of course it is). Until a hurricane hits or a bear attacks, that is, and then nature becomes an evil/destructive presence that really must be conquered. And the cycle of domination proceeds as before.
Another valuable resource I recently discover is Vegetarianwomen.com's (a great site, by the way) Ecofeminism bibliography.
That's all for now, but I'll probably have more to say on this topic in the future.
The article emphasizes a point I have read elsewhere in environmental and ecofeminist literature, from theorists like Thomas Berry and James Lovelock -- which is that ecofeminism needs to be, should be, and very well could be an integral and necessary belief system in a world coping with a damaged planet. Tied up in this idea is the hypothesis that we are heading towards a new era of environmental awareness that Berry called the Ecozoic.
The following quote really cuts to the heart of the matter, pointing out the current imbalance (both between humans themselves and also between humans and nature) that needs to be corrected:
"Since women were often associated and even conflated with earth/nature it was a simple logical step to both see women as objects and as passive, with men retaining a higher position in the symbolic order as active subjects. Aristotle did not mince words on this issue. He writes in De Generatione Animalium 'the female, as female, is passive and the male, as male, is active, and the principle of movement comes from him.'"
The male as active and the female as passive? Yep, seems like classic sexism to me... pun intended. Nature has also been traditionally painted as a passive body that receives the influence and admiration of men, rather than as a prime actor in its own right (which of course it is). Until a hurricane hits or a bear attacks, that is, and then nature becomes an evil/destructive presence that really must be conquered. And the cycle of domination proceeds as before.
Another valuable resource I recently discover is Vegetarianwomen.com's (a great site, by the way) Ecofeminism bibliography.
That's all for now, but I'll probably have more to say on this topic in the future.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Feminist Lovefest
Showing some love for my fellow feminists, here are a few links to posts I find especially relevant/interesting/insightful:
Courtney E. Martin's "Why Love Is Our Most Powerful, Lasting Form of Activism" via AlterNet.
Cara's thoughts on gender roles in the context of the Vatican's new report that claims men and women sin differently. Via Feministe.
SarahMC's take on a cartoon that explores the use of the word "rape" as a verb when discussing non-rape situations. Via The Pursuit of Harpyness.
Melissa McEwan's philosophy of feminist teaspoons via Shakesville.
Courtney E. Martin's "Why Love Is Our Most Powerful, Lasting Form of Activism" via AlterNet.
Cara's thoughts on gender roles in the context of the Vatican's new report that claims men and women sin differently. Via Feministe.
SarahMC's take on a cartoon that explores the use of the word "rape" as a verb when discussing non-rape situations. Via The Pursuit of Harpyness.
Melissa McEwan's philosophy of feminist teaspoons via Shakesville.
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