Image Source: https://systemicalternatives.org/2016/10/24/introduction-to-ecofeminism/
Well, I am glad you asked! To answer that question, I first would like to break down the word. “Eco” is short for ecology, the study of organisms relating to their surroundings. Feminism- well… should you even be here if I have to translate that?
Welcoming you with open arms nonetheless, ecofeminism uses the intersections of oppressive constructs and feminist thought to create a new way of thinking, one that aids in helping to analyze humans’ well-known history of patriarchy. Hobgood-Oster beautifully said; “Ecofeminism is multi-faceted and multi-located, challenging structures rather than
individuals. By confronting systems of patriarchy, ecofeminism broadens the scope of the cultural critique and incorporates seemingly disparate but, according to ecofeminism, radically connected elements.” This is essential to understanding ecofeminism because the main element IS the interconnection of multiple elements! In order to begin to tackle even one form of oppression, we must understand all of them. We cannot understand one without the others. This ideology helps to water the idea that we are all interwined, humbly connected as temporary residents on this Earth. If we can help others to picture a global community instead of a world of great divisions, then we will find the strength and the means to defeat the toxicity we know as patriarchy and binaries!
I encourage both of us, here and now, to put on our ecofeminist lenses as we marvel at the image above. Some words I would associate with this image are “mother nature”, “caretaker”, “giver of life”, and “love.” It is hard to miss the genuine passion this woman is expressing toward the land she lays on. She is almost, quite literally, a part of it. They are almost merging, becoming one. One might also conclude that she is detaching from the land because the land has given birth to her. She is a product of nature, thus eliminating her human aspect and instead assigning animallike descriptions to her. It is not uncommon to associate women with nature. In fact, this association has been marinating for quite a long time.
Under the subheading called Symbolic Connections, Philosopher Karen J. Warren wrote; “For example, there are concerns about whether sex-gendered language used to describe “Mother Nature” is, in Ynestra King’s words, “potentially liberating or simply a rationale for the continued subordination of women” (Y. King 1981).” Here we can see how the idea of women and nature has given rise to terminology that works further to oppress the matriarchy. This passage does well to show that even language works to oppress. Although in the digital age we live in, this is no secret. Social media users are quick to toss around words like “bitch”, “cow”, “chick” and “fox”. Warren describes how these descriptions used for women work to dehumanize us, thus devalue us. We must dry out this patriarchal construct and create something beautiful in its place. Now is the time to empower ladies and gentlemen. Nature is giving, nutritious, beautiful, fragile. The patriarchal powers have coined all of the weaker terms associated with nature and tied them to women. To you, Patriarchy, I say, nature is all those things. However! It is also strong, resilient, ever-evolving, and always growing!
Everything in love,
Cece X
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When thinking about ecofeminism, something I personally overlook is what you’ve presented here, which is the idea that nature is beautiful and wonderful. When thinking about more traditional feminist theories, it’s a strange connection to make. That being said, it’s a connection that has a clear value. I think your point about gendered animalistic language is important to understand the problem. The patriarchal structures around us take parts of nature, like animals, and use them to degrade and oppress women. I think it’s valuable to mention that we don’t really see the inverse of this idea, where women are not typically empowered in our culture using nature. Similar to this, as we discussed in class, men are not oppressed through nature, but they are empowered, as many activities, like hiking, and cutting wood are traditionally masculine and impressive. The patriarchy has taken nature and used it to oppress women and propel men toward success, as it does with everything. Luckily, that’s why we have ecofeminism, to understand that this is a problem, and work to fix it and empower people who have perviously been put down.
When trying to fully understand and intern explain Ecofeminism I found it quite difficult if I am honest. However, your blog post was thorough and easy to understand. I especially enjoyed the imagery used when describing your chosen image. As the reader I saw the beauty and strength associated with women and nature, as well as the ability our use of language has when uplifting or oppress both. I also liked your critique of social media and its ability to further encourage these patriarchal views and use of derogatory terms such as “cow” that seem to have become so common and acceptable within our modern society.
Hi Cece,
My favorite blog of them all! I just wanted to sparkle some conversation as always. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms 1, and 2, I love the way you express how what Hobgood-Oster said as beautifully. Because she says feminists uses the sides of “oppressive constructs” to spark up a an entire new wave of thinking. I also believe it’s important to discuss this definition because Ecofeminism captures the exact essence of intersectionality. Being connected to nature is just the beginning of the ecofem perspective. There are so many perspectives of feminism, tat when you create a subcategory such as eco-fem that also contains more subcategories. Though we can’t even fathom to understand one portion of eco-fem without understanding all the others. when you said “This ideology helps to water the idea that we are all intertwined, humbly connected as temporary residents on this Earth. If we can help others to picture a global community instead of a world of great divisions, then we will find the strength and the means to defeat the toxicity we know as patriarchy and binaries!” I couldn’t agree more!
My best, xoxo Gossip Girl