imani-blogs

[imani-blogs]

Final Project: My Week Of Digital Detoxing

Being in front of the screen has put a strain on my eyes, especially when it’s difficult to tear myself away from my phone. If i’m not rushing to meet deadlines on my laptop, then i’m taking work breaks by watching mindless videos on my phone. The endless cycle of screen time will never end until we physically remove ourselves from it.

In the digital age, it’s time we begin to reconnect with ourselves. We need to gain back the awareness of space and time that’s ripped from us as we sit in front of a screen for hours. In time, we can alleviate some of the anxieties around not feeling valuable when we aren't working every second of the day and in the process de-center the idea that not working means you are not being productive. This week I practiced digital detoxing, where I selected moments out of the day to refrain from using my phone. I hoped to gain a sense of clarity and awareness of my surroundings while reshaping my understanding of productivity.

The first thing I noticed is that it's much easier to detox outside than it is inside. There are so many elements of nature to fixate on as a distraction. The sounds of birds, the flowers blooming on trees, and the interactions between wildlife and their habitats. On day one, I sat outside, as I usually do when it's warm out. I left my phone inside on purpose and paid attention to my surroundings. I fixated on colors and closed my eyes to take in each sound. I noticed a tree bloomed red berries, something I hadn't noticed since the springtime began. I stayed outside for about an hour and then went back inside. While I did feel accomplished, I felt guilt coming back inside to go back on my phone.

I remembered watching Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. It discussed the effects of notifications as tools to keep users as engaged as possible by tapping into their app data. Usually when your phone is off, apps send banner notifications urging the user to come back. When Im off of my phone for too long, TikTok immediately sends a notification saying “Take a break and scroll through some videos.” The social dilemma urges people to turn off their notifications completely because of its long term effects on the brain. Because app developers track our phone patterns, they know the exact formula to grabbing and holding our attention. Because of the consistency, our brain sends dopamine signals each time we get a notification. Ironically, part of my final assignment for a different class is to log my notifications. I learned that when my phone vibrates or dings, my head whips around to check my phone out of reflex. Jenny Odell warns us about this in her book, How to do Nothing where she introduces he term “Attention Economy.” Human attention is treated as a commodity to be sold and distributed. Our attention is what keeps them in business. 

Day 2 was much easier because I kept myself busy. My mom was preparing her garden for the Spring, so we spent all day doing garden work. Even though this was a positive experience, I still didnt feel myself making progress. Despite this only being the second day, I questioned the point of detoxing when I know that when I finish, I'm going back on my phone. Our devices have forced us to be constantly stimulated or else were hit with insufferable boredom, but if we use these opportunities to question why we constantly feel the need to be entertained, staying away from our phones wont be as unbearable as it seems.

On days three and four, i spent a lot of time with my dog, Duchess, watching the ways she connects and interacts with her surroundings. Our pets don't have phones yet they seem to keep themselves busy. We can learn a lot from our pets and what they are doing when they wander around aimlessly sniffing at random objects and standing in place looking around. Dogs learn a lot through their sense of smell. Sniffing makes dogs happy and gives them an outlet to exercise their senses. By taking in different smells, they’re picking up information about where an object is from, who it was touched by and if its safe. In this case, Duchess spent a good amount of time smelling a new flower pot that my mom brought earlier that day. I learned a lot about the way she entertains herself and the things dogs do that may seem like nothing to us but are actually really important to them. I realized that becoming more in touch with my senses is a big part of this practice and that I should focus on that aspect. First thing in the morning, Duchess and I sat outside in the sun. I ate my breakfast and she sniffed around the deck. A giant bee had been hovering near us for a while and it started to get close to her. I was super close to shooing the bee away because I was afraid it would sting her but she handled it by herself. She growled and did a little hop to scare the bee off and it worked. 

Because there is such an overload of information on any social media app you log into, it can be so overwhelming to be so addicted to your phone. I found that the shorter videos get, the more my attention span shortens. This is definitely intentional. A lot of social media apps are taking on the same scroll format as TikTok because they can feed you videos, while gathering data from the content you like and skip past, thus, increasing the screen time that they so desperately want from you. 

The last part of my digital detox was more of a method to gain my attention span back. Watching TV feels much better on my eyes and has allowed me to feel accomplished after sitting though a 40 minute show rather than hundreds of ten second videos. By the end of the week I noticed the strain and heaviness of my eyes while looking at a tiny bright screen compared to staring out into a sunny sky or watching television. After turning my notifications off, I can finally feel in control of my phone usage. Instead of feeling like I’m unwillingly forced to look at my phone out of a force of habit, I can chose when I want to check it. My progress has been subtle but I look forward to implementing these practices during the summer and lessening my screen time even more. 

[imani-blogs]

The Soul of an Octopus

This week I decided to read The Soul of an Octopus, written by Sy Montgomery. Montgomery writes about her experiences visiting the New England Aquarium and the relationships she develops with the octopus. Montgomery falls in love with their intellect and comes to appreciate them as deeply complex creatures. Montgomery tries to reshape the way the octopus has been characterized by the media. Originally thought to be demonic and monstrous creatures, each octopus has its own personality and the ability to create relationships and connect with the world around them. 

She introduces Athena as the first octopus she laid her eyes on at the New England Aquarium, but unfortunately Athena dies shortly after. The next octopus introduced is Octavia who was brought in as Athena’s replacement and soon after, Kali and Karma. My Favorite quote is “Octopuses represent the great mystery of the Other. They seem completely alien, and yet their world—the ocean—comprises far more of the Earth” (2) it calls out the irony of how humans perceive non-human creatures. When we are exposed to the diversity of life on earth, anything that's not within the range of what we know is deemed other worldly, yet we only make up a small percentage of the worlds contents. 

•How does this book change, disrupt or enhance the definition of "celebrityhood".  (2-3 paragraphs)

The concept of celebrityhood with animals has always been very interesting to me. In a way, the animals at aquariums are considered celebrities for simply existing. These animals are put on display for their lives to be showcased just as celebrities are. While being unaware of the impact they have, animals inspire and influence people around the globe. 

I think this book enhances the definition of a celebrity. By shedding a new light on octopus, Athena and the other octopus have become notable advocates for the species and the movement to reshape the way we view them. 

•What contributions does this book make to social change and activism? (2-3 paragraphs)

This book contributes to social change and activism by adding to the conversation about animal rights. When people see that sea creatures are complex beings that have just as much of a right to their habitats as we do, people can use their empathy and outrage to advocate for these animals. 

People need to know that sea life have consciousnesses just as we do and we don't get to use them for our personal interests and resources. It's important that we not only use activists to forefront the animal rights movement but also animals as advocates. 

•What new concept did this book introduce to the world? What are some of the ripple effects? (1-2 paragraphs)

This book introduces the concept of uncommon animals with their own personalities and awarenesses. When people see the qualities in animals that are similar to them, they will be more inclined to help save them. 

[imani-blogs]

STREET ART WEEK

Street Art has always been very interesting to me because of its origins and how much it has evolved. It developed in the 1960′s in black and hispanic communities as a response to urban neglect. People began tagging their names around the city as a way to reclaim public space. From then to now, it’s only developed into a more complex art form, but there's still arguments over which graffiti is respected over others, and how this contributes to a larger debate about who has a right to public space.

Below is a collection of street art I found in the city and in Long Island: 

This mural of a dinosaur is by an anonymous street artist in the East Village. This one caught my eye because its huge, unmissable, and it looks like the artist painted around the windows so it blends in with the architecture. This piece stands out because of the contrast in color and how its facing such a commercial street. Im not sure what message its trying to send, but maybe its juxtaposing what land looked like before human civilization with the busy city life of today

I loved this mural of Charlie Brown and his friends marching for the Black Lives Matter movement. I think it could also spark a discussion of how this movement has been very broadly commercialized in media. During the spring and summer of 2020, every brand made sure they spoke up about the protests around the country, and at times it felt like there was no progress being made, just performative social media posts, fake brand initiatives and cartoon characters being advocates for social justice. I think with these kinds of street art pieces we can read between the lines even if the meaning we take from it wasn't intended. 

I went to see a friends show at LIU and noticed this art on the sidewalk. It’s important to mention the many other modes of graffiti, including chalk art. 

These chalk pieces remind us a lot of childhood innocence and how we used our surroundings to express creativity and imagination. This chalk art was drawn by a child in my neighborhood and I think it makes a youthful statement. 

Another quality about street art that I love is that we get to pay homage or remembrance to those who are important to us, whether that be a loved celebrity or a prominent figure in our community. These stickers are a tribute to Betty White, that the artist (@ captain_eyeliner on instagram) placed around various parts of the city. The artist has a colorful, vibrant style and they usually make stickers of animated raccoons with the occasional public figure. 

[imani-blogs]

Sustainable Fashion: Innovators and Outliers

How does Fast Fashion impact you directly? Which celebrity brands are doing the most to address sustainability? Which ones are engaged in greenwashing?

Fast Fashion impacts me because it's an argument that has been all over my social media feeds for a long time. There was an uproar that was sparked from people on social media doing Shein hauls. Spending hundreds of dollars on bad quality clothing that's only going to be thrown away when the trend cycle ends. One one hand, people were saying “there's no ethical consumption under capitalism” and on the other hand, people argued that spending all that money is useless and contributes to consumerism and leaves a massive carbon footprint. I agree that we should be putting pressure on our government to stop brands from outsourcing labor, or to pay these people real wages, and also that if you're gonna spend $100 dollars, to find a sustainable brand. I remembered when brands like Fenty Beauty and Kylie cosmetics were under heat for their unethical treatment of laborers in countries outside the US, and even though these allegations were denied by both, they’re likely doing damage control. The brands that often participate in green washing are usually gas companies. I notice that they tell us they are lowering carbon emissions, but it's really a ploy to keep consumers happy and off their backs.

What are your thoughts on mushroom leather? Will vegans be key players in sustainable fashion?

I think vegan textiles like mushroom leather is the direction we should be moving in when it comes to recyclable fabrics and sustainable clothing. Trying to steer away from textiles that rely on the use of animals and energy will solve the issue of fast fashion. Vegans are the key players in sustainable fashion because if anyone knows how to find a creative, environmentally friendly substitute, it's them.

Choose three FACTS from the list above and comment about your own practices with regard to fast fashion and sustainability.

The best way to be more sustainable is by choosing quality pieces that will last a long time over cheaper ones that you know will go out-of-style.

I think this is an interesting argument because it's the main reason people have stayed with fast fashion. Sustainable clothing that correlates with people's style is often too expensive. One tee shirt from an environmentally friendly brand can range from $50-$100 dollars while you can get three tee shirts from forever 21 for a fraction of that price. People want good quality clothing, but people want to be able to afford it. I'm not really aware of any cheap sustainable brands, but thrifting is one way to combat this. The clothes are often donated and sold for a cheap price. One issue I'm starting to see is thrift store prices increasing and fast fashion brands like shein are appearing in thrift stores.

2. Younger generations are being more cautious about their fashion choices, meaning they could be the ones who lead the change for sustainable fashion.

Social media serves as a way to bring awareness to the harmful effects of fast fashion and to share which brands are a good way to transition into sustainable fashion. Recently I've been staying away from shein because why spend money on terrible quality clothes that I'm only going to throw away?

3. In the United States alone, over 25 million pounds of clothing are ending up in landfills or incinerators each year.

From a young age, my mom and I take the clothing we've grown out of and give them to our local church. It makes me feel good to not throw out clothing unless it's damaged. I also sometimes share clothes with friends. I think the more we share clothing, the more likely we can keep our clothes out of landfills.

[imani-blogs]

Animal Rescue: From Jane Goodall to Cher

What does Jane Goodall have to impart about Hope and how can it help the animals of the world?

Goodall says she communicates with humans through words but with animals there's a mind to mind connection. If we start viewing animals as beings with complex emotions, just like us, we can use that compassion and empathy to fight better for them. If we use compassion to connect to these animals, even if we’re not meeting them in person, more of us will change our way of living to better coexist with them.

Can celebrities like Cher have an impact on empathy for animals?

Cher, like many other animal rights activists, saw an animal in distress and felt helpless. She didn't believe that her reputation as an entertainer gave her any sort of credibility in the efforts to relocate an elephant from a zoo in Pakistan all the way to a sanctuary in Cambodia. But she did it. After years of navigating the obstacles of organizing an animal rescue, the project was a success. Cher is a prime example of the importance of celebrity advocacy and activism. They can use their voice to reach millions, and speak up for those who feel they cannot speak up for themselves.

Cher is a star with a huge audience. She has the platform to expose the treatment of these animals and show people another side of zoos. People will become empathetic along the way. When celebrities use their platform to raise awareness and touch hearts, they start larger discussions and eventually gain the attention of local and national governments.

What is the 6th Greatest Extinction event and how does it relate to the Anthropocene?

The sixth greatest extinction event is the Holocene extinction and it is ongoing. Scientists are finding that animal populations are decreasing due to reduced habitats over the past years. Overhunting, pollution and climate change are causing a population decrease in animals that aren't necessarily considered endangered. Human overconsumption and overpopulation are contributing to this major event. This relates to the Anthropocene because it refers to a period where human activity has had a major influence over our environment. This 6th extinction is the first event caused by humans and scientists claim it has spanned since the existence of early hominids causing the extinction of mammoths due to overhunting. It has only gotten drastically worse since then.

What endangered species are you most aware of? How can we help preserve their habitats? (provide a photo)

I’m most aware of the endangerment of the polar bear and the massive decrease in populations due to the warming of the arctic. It's been widely publicized in videos of polar bears falling through cracks of melting ice and drowning in bodies of water. This is an example of a species whos habitat has been declining for years and are heading towards irreversible changes to their climate. The recommended way to preserve their habitats is to contribute less to the burning of fossil fuels, but I truly believe that action is not fast or efficient enough to save them now. Asking American citizens to reduce their carbon footprint is not unreasonable but we are definitely not the main perpetrators. More needs to be asked from the corporations that use the most energy and it needs to be legislative. We can see through their fake initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. The only thing I can think of that could directly aid the polar bears is possibly sanctuaries in arctic climates? If we keep them in their homes and maintain those conditions, maybe that could be a temporary solution. All I know is that preserving arctic climates is huge and it would be reversing the effects of global warming, a crisis that has continued to decline for tens of years, and more action needs to be taken by our government to restructure where our energy and resources come from.

[imani-blogs]

DIGITAL DETOX EXPERIMENT & BOOK REVIEW: “How to Do Nothing” by Jenny Odell

1. What is your favorite quote from the book and why do you find it meaningful?

My favorite quote from the book is “But while commercial social networks reign supreme, let’s remember that a real refusal, like Bartleby’s answer, refuses the terms of the question itself”

This really resonated with me because it brings me back to my first time reading Bartleby in highschool. When someone would ask him if he was going to work, he would say “I'd prefer not to.” He is the epitome of someone who has completely detached himself from the pressures of corporate work. I didn't necessarily understand the piece then, but I totally get it now.

2. Why do you think this book, released by indie publishing house Melville Press, has become an unexpected bestseller in Corona Times?

I think this book has become an unexpected best seller because it touches on an issue, I feel has been a prevalent dark cloud over all of us. I think a lot of people didn't know how to address or didn't want to acknowledge that our attention spans are declining and that our devices are the cause of it.

3. How does the attention economy benefit from our social media activity and media streaming consumption?

The attention economy benefits from our social media activity because our bodies and minds are just money to them. To constantly flood our phones with notifications and updates and advertisements, our engagement is just data to be sold. They know they have the power because we have become so reliant on social media to get us through our day. Today while in class, I saw a notification from Tik Tok pop up on my screen that said “Take a break and scroll through some videos.” Our attention gives them an inside into our psyches so that they can use that information to continue to create new things to maintain our attention.

4. How does this book relate to the topic of celebrity culture?

This book relates to the topic of celebrity culture because it encourages us to resist structures that determine our value based on our productivity. Celebrity culture is just that. The ranking of people based on what they bring to the industry. Celebrity culture is presenting an artificial version of yourself to the world for the world to create a narrative based on what they are given. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, denounces the disposability of things that do not hold our attention for too long.

5. Do you take digital detox breaks? If yes, describe them. Have they been more challenging during the quarantine era? Why?

I try to take detox breaks while I eat. I try to give my full attention to my food to be able to pay attention to taste, texture, smell, etc. While it may be difficult to lose the entertainment tik tok gives, it's worth it because I feel a sense of control over my own body. I try to remind myself not to rush and that my phone is not going anywhere. During quarantine digital detoxes were definitely more difficult because my phone and laptop were my only means of communication, especially during a time where communication was so limited. But at the same time, it was easier to connect back with my surroundings. I found that listening to music was a much better alternative than mindlessly scrolling.

6. Do you sleep with your phone or computer? Are you aware of impacts on your sleep cycles and relaxation caused by overnight proximity?

At night, I usually sit my phone on the floor next to my bed. I also turn on and do not disturb. I have learned that the blue light from phones causes an interruption in sleeping patterns and I try to use a blue light filter during the night time. I also think the biggest perpetrator is the ding or buzz from a notification. I could even feel something in my brain telling me “you have to look at your phone, even if you don't want to”. Muting group chats for the night helps!

7. What is the role of nature in Odell's book, in particular the role of birds?

Odell talks about birds and how doing nothing has allowed for her to be more connected to herself physically and nature. By deep listening, she has a heightened sense of receiving what the birds are communicating to herself and each other. She used birds as a way to detach herself from the stress that comes with working.

8. Experiment: Leave your phone at home for one hour to take a walk in your neighborhood. Write down your observations when you return and draw a map of your path. What did you observe?  Take a photo of your map to include in your book review. Did the experience provide any revelations? Were you anxious, relieved, inspired? Did you notice anything you'd never seen before?

In the morning I like to walk my dog because it feels so good to wake up and have the sun touch my eyes as opposed to the artificial light of my phone. It's a much more relaxing experience. I obviously couldn't leave my phone at home because I need to be able to call for help incase of emergency, but having my phone tucked away in my pocket, and being fully aware of my sights and sounds makes me feel more connected to myself. I also think the time of day is super important to consider. In the morning, I don't expect to be getting a bunch of messages and notifications than I would in the afternoon. Still, I don't feel so addicted to my phone where I'm unable to set timeout to not use it.

9. What does Odell mean by 'doing nothing?' Are we capable of doing nothing?

Odell’s idea of doing nothing is “ doing nothing means disengaging from one framework (the attention economy) not only to give myself time to think, but to do something else in another framework.” There are no breaks in the attention economy. There is no such thing as a moment to breathe, or have a thought to yourself that hasn't been influenced or determined by someone else's. Doing nothing is detaching from the intersection completely removing yourself from the idea that every moment has to pertain to making a living. Odell says “Appearing as if you’re doing nothing is seen as a threat to the general working order of the company, creating a sense of the unknown.” Odell explains that we should choose activities where value is not determined by its ability to generate capital. Right now it seems like more of us are becoming aware of the long-lasting effects that continuing to live this way has. During the pandemic this was definitely more prevalent. People were able to work from home and spend more time with their families and most working Americans don't want to go back to how it was before. We have already proven to be capable of “doing nothing” I think now, it's just a matter of how to incorporate it into a world where working online is so much more common.

[imani-blogs]

My Octopus Teacher

1. What fascinating facts about octopuses did you learn from the viewing?

My octopus teacher immediately captivated me and pulled at my heartstrings tremendously. I've always had an interest in the world of Octopus, their beauty and their intelligence. This film exposes us to the diversity of sea life in a way that makes it seem otherworldly. I learned that an Octopus has the ability to morphe their bodies to deceive. They can look spiky, smooth or change their color and skin texture. This particular species can walk on two legs with the rest of her body formed in a mushroom shape. They rely purely on intelligence and instinct and have extremely guarded defense mechanisms. I also learned the extremely heartbreaking fact that when an octopus has children, it slowly dies because it sacrifices a lot of their own body to their young. I think this film is really important in showing us that you don't need to intervene with sea life to have a relationship with them.

2. Has this film had an impact on your view of the octopus species? How has it changed or expanded?

Watching this octopus has completely expanded my view on octopuses and I'm so awestruck by the one shown in this movie. I've even developed a deep appreciation for them. Especially the scene where she's playing with the fish! They are intelligent beings with social skills, emotions and awareness. I never realized how multi-faceted one can be.

3. Discuss the film through the lens of interspecies communication. Provide examples of the ways Craig Foster and the octopus interacted.

Firstly, Foster and the octopus interacted through trust. While the octopus has to distinguish whether or not he’s a predator, he has to read her and learn the language of an octopus for her to be able to trust him. He learns to give her space until she's ready to break a physical barrier, through touch.

They eventually develop enough of a bond where they can follow one another and perhaps see each other as equals. The octopus shows Foster how she hunts and allows him to observe her as a predator and prey. She even uses him as part of her hunting strategy. I was so amazed to see her cover herself in shells to ward off pajama sharks.  

4. What is anthropomorphism and how could this tendency shape or distort the narrative?

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. I think this film completely flips the narrative and shows us that these qualities are not limited or created by humans. We all have similarities and differences, no matter what species you are.

5. Why do you think this film resonated with so many viewers during the height of the COVID pandemic?

During a time where human connection was so limited, it is so important for us to be able to see that connecting with something can look differently than texting or talking on the phone. Connection doesn't always have to be vocal or physical. It was also a very crucial period in changing our perspectives on animals and showing their qualities beyond hunting and wandering. They have senses just like us. It gave viewers a chance to reflect on interactions other than our own. It teaches us to become sensitized to others during a time where mortality was inescapable. Even when the octopus recovered from injury, it showed us that we can overcome adversity.

6. How does this film shift the definition of 'intelligence'?

This film shows us that sea creatures are extraordinary in the way they can learn and remember details and develop techniques in logic and problem solving. Their way of survival cannot be limited to a simple forage or hunt, but their attack is so precise that these animals are basically doing math in their head. Intelligence looks different in every being and it should not be limited to the abilities of humans. Intelligence is diverse and these animals who are being put into life or death situations everyday, rely on it. This film was so inspiring. It almost felt as if I was there. I have a huge soft spot for Octopus now. 

[imani-blogs]

Climate Justice, Food Sustainability and Black Lives Matter

Who is Leah Thomas?

Leah Thomas is an intersectional environmental activist from Southern California. She advocates and brings awareness to the relationship between social justice and environmentalism.

What happened at COP26?

Thomas describes COP26 to be a failed attempt at global solidarity and immediate action against climate change. Instead, she was met with a corporate ploy to fool citizens into thinking important decisions are being made and people of all walks of life are included. First, Thomas points out that we are nearly at 30 years of holding a COP, and no action has been taken, and there seems to be no intention to take action if they are planning a 27th. Thomas went into the conference expecting to discuss the importance of climate intersectionality in wake of the “racial awakening” of 2020 and what it means to have a seat at the table as a black environmentalist. I’m sure the many BIPOC activists felt the same, but instead, they were excluded from important meetings, speeches and their voices were tuned out and shut down.

What is Intersectional Environmentalism and how does it relate to Black Lives Matters (2-3 paragraphs)?

Intersectional environmentalism ensures the protection of the communities most affected by climate change while calling for the protection of our planet. It tackles the way social inequities and global warming are interconnected, by recognizing communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change but never accounted for.

It relates to the Black Lives Matter movement because it targets privilege and racism within environmentalism and sheds light on the fact that black activists who should be at the forefront of the movement advocating for their communities, are often silenced.

Who is Leah Penniman?

Leah Penniman is a farmer and food sovereignty activist who has co-founded the soul fire farm

What is Soul Fire Farm and why is it important to the climate movement (2-3paragraphs)?

Soul Fire Farm is a community farm centered around BIPOC that is trying to combat the racism prevalent in food access and distribution institutions. The farm is committed to reclaiming the right to our land and participation in our food system. It brings diverse communities together in sharing skills on sustainable agriculture, natural building and environmental justice. The program creates reparations and land return initiatives for farmers and home gardens for people who live in the city.

[imani-blogs]

Vanessa Nakate

Vanessa Nakate is a Ugandan climate justice activist who began her journey in 2018 after speaking out against unusually hot temperatures in Uganda. She voices her concerns about vulnerable communities affected by the rapidly changing climate and demands legislative action. Nakate calls out racism when she was the only black woman cropped out of a photo featuring all white climate activists, including Greta Thrunburg. When Nakate was cropped out of a published version by the Associated Press, she took to twitter to initiate the discussion of how black people are often erased from the conversation about our climate, when they are amongst those disproportionately affected. Nakate’s activism serves an important role in acknowledging those in rural africa who are affected by water and crop scarcity. This picture demonstrated the false sense of solidarity in the climate movement, and the racism that still exists amongst white activists.

In her memoir, A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis, Nakate says “If we are to successfully address the climate crisis, we need women in the rooms where decisions are being made that affect the climate.” This stood out to me because she holds a great impact in being a voice for young girls in the global south and showing young black girls that we are just as valuable and qualified to take action, and put pressure on our government to do the same. She is truly inspiring.

Nakate uplifts african climate activists on her twitter, and this picture stood out to me because it pertains to Nakate and her stance that women's education is an important factor of climate change, and that women are a crucial aspect of taking legislative action. She stresses that as women, we have a valuable voice.

"Nakate is conscious of the power her voice wields, and the world would benefit from listening." (Kirkus Reviews)

Nakate being the only representative from the global South on the front lines is an extremely powerful position. In mainstream media, we are often given a biased perspective of climate change without considering those who are disproportionately affected by the changing environment. She serves as a voice for racial and economic inequality within environmental movements and legislation. This crisis calls for many different solutions that apply to a range of regions across the globe, so diversity is crucial.

The rise up movement serves as a vessel to uplift and bring light to the stories of climate activists and what inspires them. Nakate uses her platform to give a voice to other climate activists. This is how we create solidarity within a movement. Helping others find a voice and allowing different walks of life to be a part of the conversation. Climate change is a global effort, and when we are just hearing the stories that pertain to one region, or social standing, it can create a bias.

In the voice of change video, Nakate brings attention to the erasure of Africa from the frontlines of climate change when they are the most affected by it. She wants to ensure that the challenges being faced are highlighted. So many economically disadvantaged are becoming trapped in poverty cycles because of food and water scarcity. Climate change contributes to so many other humanitarian crises and it's important to tell the stories of every person affected by it.

[imani-blogs]

Celebrity Baby Boom, Human Population and Climate Change

1. Are attitudes about fertility changing among Gen Z and Millennials? Can you give some examples from conversations you may be having?

As more young people today are seeing the damaging effects of climate change and how having children can contribute to it, younger generations feel less inclined to have children. Looking prospectively at their futures and the many crises that are an effect of a changing society, many people would rather not bring new life with the direction that we are moving in. There seems to be a rejection of parenthood and an embracing of other life experiences like travel, and education. Having children is a less sought for goal. From this rejection comes an interesting attitude towards babies on social media platforms like tiki's Tok which are central for Gen Z and Millennials. This started with the discussion of pro life and pro choice on social media after videos of pro- life activists were attacking women at planned parenthoods and the women's right to choose was threatened by legislators. Along with young generations standing up for women's rights, people started to question whether or not they wanted kids and also felt comfortable being able to voice not liking kids which was once a bit taboo to say. Toddlers on the internet were often met with a lot of hate in 2020 by a niche community of young teens mainly because this was in retaliation to conservatives pushing the women's fertility and starting a family debate. Ive also seen people pose the question, that if left leaning women are the ones opting out of motherhood, who will be the ones reproducing? There have been a lot of interesting conversations since then, and social media has allowed mothers to express feelings about motherhood that were once deemed unacceptable. 

2. How big of an impact is climate change on changing attitudes?

Climate change plays a huge role in this shift. Its not as appealing to settle down and start a family because no one can predict what the state of the world will be like in 20-30 years. The pandemic, a period of grief and a pause on plans and goals that people may have wanted to achieve are still being sought after, and when the pandemic ends, people will be interested in pursuing the goals they had to put on hold. 

3. Did it surprise you to learn that having one fewer child is 73 times more effective for the planet and animals than being vegan?

This did not surprise me. The amount of meat children consume, the amount of fossil fuels burnt on one individual is an enormous amount. As humans, we consume a lot more than we put back into the earth. We are not completely at fault for this because social structure was purposely constructed to have us live this way, but maybe having less children would be more sustainable and effective in. the long run.

4. What is your response to Pope Francis's recent comments?

Pope Francis’s comments surprised me because it’s a very bold and ignorant thing to say publicly. For decades, the infant has been put before the adult woman. Birth complications, especially in black women have been at high numbers. Why is a women selfish for taking liberty over her body? Having social control over fertility and women seems to be the underlying issue. Nowadays there's a demonization of parents who have children they did not physically give birth to or women who chose not to have children, because it was once the standard of accomplishment and selflessness. Our society is built upon the working class having to make sacrafices in order to be socially accepted. Having children is a social norm that is finally being challenged, and that's a positive thing. 

5. Do celebrities' baby news put pressure on others to have children? How?

Celebrity baby news is certainly putting pressure on others to have children, especially when these celebrities are trademarking their children’s names to be used for future baby product lines. In an interview, Rhianna was asked if she would create a Fenty Baby line. This celebrity and influencer baby boom is once again glamorizing pregnancy and birth. This is incredibly harmful because social media is portraying the lives of soon to be mothers who live lavish, unsustainable lifestyles. 

6. Should women be given more agency over their fertility decisions? How can we innovate around this?

Women should be given more agency over their fertility decisions because otherwise, it’s an infringement upon individual rights. Others should have no say  because it’s not others who are giving or not giving birth. Often times doctors are given the power to make final descicians regarding reproductive organs and procedures which is harmful and has contributed to complications in womens health for years. When doctors suggest to put off a procedure because of the possibility of having kids in the future, even if they don't want to, is invasive and a medical practice that is a reflection of when having as many children as possible was seen as the end goal. Women should be able to assess their own bodies and make medical decisions they see fit.

7. What is your response to Elon Musk?

Elon Musk’s comments show that we are only valued by our productivity. His comment is driven by the capitalists need for workers. The valuing of economy over lives has lost lives during the pandemic and is what has caused the government to care less about combatting climate change. 

[imani-blogs]

Don’t Look Up

Don’t Look Up is a dystopian black comedy written and produced by Adam McKey, in which two astronomers spot a planet-destroying comet headed straight towards earth, and attempt to warn the public and save humanity. The film as an allegory to how the public responds to climate change, and the media and governments incompetence and indifference to the end of human civilization.

Don’t Look Up can be categorized as black comedy and political satire because of how each character is a characterture of existing political officials. President Orlean, played by Meryl Streep, is narcissistic, greedy and very reminiscent of Donald Trump. Jonah Hill, who plays her underqualified son and chief of staff, criticizes the blatant nepotism of the Trump administration. Orlean is in the middle of scandals and an upcoming election, both of which she prioritizes far more than the asteroid. In addition, the government plans is to team up with a tech company, which is likely a combination of supervillains Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerburg, and Jeff Bezos and use the asteroid to mine for rare materials. Instead of saving the human race, the government’s driving force in efforts to destroy the comet is to profit off of it.

There’s no doubt that Don’t Look Up gained traction from its star studded cast. When the cast list was released, it created a hype and a high demand. But the actors seemed to be all the film had going for it when it comes to marketability. Of course the storyline is relevant to our times, but if the cast had far less stars, it wouldn’t have performed as well as it did. I’ve noticed this pattern with other star studded films. A cast list will be released, it creates a buzz, and when the film is out, it’s underwhelming and doesn’t perform as well as we imagined. Of course Don’t Look Up had this to their advantage. Regardless of how many stars were used to compensate for its lazy writing and fast pacing, the message was clear and very relevant to how the climate crisis is being handled today. Celebrities with huge platforms are the most crucial part of amplifying climate change awareness.

This meme is a very accurate depiction of the tech giants today. Any bizarre tweet pulled from Elon Musk could have been used as a line in this film to show how social media gives a platform to the most influential, yet disturbing individuals. Jeff Bezos’ employees are overworked and underpaid, yet he calls them incompetent. The film does a great job of warning us against them. We should not be relying on any of their efforts to reverse climate change even though their companies are the biggest perpetrators. Money will always be their main priority.

One discussion sparked from this film was that not all satire is good satire. There's been a lot of back and forth on the internet debating if this is a genuinely good movie, or are people just excited that it's so spot on. In my opinion, Don’t Look Up was very hard to sit through. Instead of “showing, not telling” it got its message across in the most unsubtle, almost cringeworthy way. People who criticized the movie were met on social media with “Well you clearly didn't get it” but the film is so obvious that there is no missing the point. However, It does a good job of making climate change palatable for a netflix audience. Maybe it's a bit irrational to be too hyper critical of films that convey something so important on such a large scale.

Comedy is important. There's a lot of anxiety around this crisis and people may not always want to watch a documentary that depicts something so dark. Comedy allows us to laugh at these dark times, while also having these important discussions afterwards. Both documentaries and comedy can serve the same purpose, and both are necessary in bringing awareness and applying the necessary political pressure to reverse climate change.