sophiesicelebblog - Tumblr blog

[sophiesicelebblog]

What's Next for José Andrés and World Central Kitchen? (5/5)

#ChefsForUkraine:

This is the first time José Andrés and WCK have entered a war zone, and yet somehow they are seemingly doing more than ever for the people of Ukraine.

Andrés and his team entered Ukraine just days after the initial invasion. They began by setting up kitchens on the country's borders so that those who were fleeing would have food as they waited for entry to bordering and other nearby countries, including Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain, and Germany. From there, they set up kitchens across Ukraine for those who decided to stay as soon as it was safe to do so. They have also provided water, seeds (home gardens are incredibly common in Ukraine), and other supplies (1, 2).

WCK remains in Ukraine, proving that there truly are no limits to what they can achieve nor the number of people they can help.

Climate Change:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by World Central Kitchen (@wckitchen)

The majority of events that necessitate a response from WCK are caused or worsened by climate change: from wildfires in California and Spain, to Hurricane Ian in Florida, intense rainfall and flooding in Pakistan and beyond, relief is needed more than ever. Climate change causes catastrophic disasters that drive people from their homes, leaving them without access to food. In 2021, WCK launched their Climate Disaster Fund and committed to raising and spending $1billion to provide immediate assistance and food relief for those affected or displaced by natural disasters. They have a ten year plan, and in the meantime they are applying public pressure on world leaders to create long-term climate policies and solutions (3).

Final Thoughts...

José Andrés and the team at World Central Kitchen do incredible, inspiring work every day by providing hot meals and a big dose of hope to people in need around the world. Considering the contagious nature of altruism, the moral elevation effect, it shouldn't be surprising how successful they have come as world leaders in relief. Their social media presence combines Andrés' star power with strategies of recruitment, fundraising, and calling on world leaders to join the cause. Andrés breaks barriers and does not wait for the slow-moving bureaucratic red tape to help others; he disrupts the system by ignoring it, with instant action. From their continuing efforts in a war zone to their work to slow down climate change, thus hopefully preventing from natural disasters from occurring in the first place, there's no telling how much they will do for humanity. So, what's the future like for José Andrés and World Central Kitchen? One thing is for sure...

"We’re here with a simple mission: to make sure food is an agent of change. -José Andrés"

Sources:

1: https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine

2. https://wck.org/news/ukraine-beyond-meals

3. https://wck.org/climate

[sophiesicelebblog]

Cutting Through the Red Tape (4/5)

The notion of disaster relief and foreign aid, seemingly, should be fairly straightforward: people need help, so we send help, right?

Sadly, we live in a complex world where money and resources are hoarded, closely protected, not so easily shared. This sad-but-true fact means that when areas of the world are hit with a natural disaster or are confronted with military conflict, relief arrives too slowly. José Andrés pushes back against those who throw up their hands in resignation, arguing that it doesn't have to be that way.

The aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017 can act as a case study on how Andrés operates and his philosophy on how to provide relief.

Andrés is an amazing speaker and provides details on how World Central Kitchen (WCK) helped the people of Puerto Rico in this TED Talk, but I'll briefly summarize here as well. When he arrived in Puerto Rico, there were discussions happening between various governmental agencies as to how to begin feeding people in the coming weeks.

Weeks.

He knew that that would be too long. People need to be fed today. He started calling grocery stores to find out what they had in stock, bought as much as he could (on his personal credit cards, deciding he would figure out how to pay back the banks later), found a working kitchen to prepare the food, and started handing it out (1). FEMA was shocked how quickly he was able to work, but his philosophy was simple: "Let's not plan, let's not meet, let's start cooking" (3:00).

As word of mouth spread, hundreds of volunteers began pouring in, helping prepare and deliver food. As certain areas began stabilizing and their own restaurants were able to reopen, Andrés did not want to harm the private sector and directed that they should progressively leave those areas so that small businesses could bounce back, and enhance their presence in more remote locations that still needed assistance.

Andrés was extremely disappointed in the government's (non)response in the wake of Hurricane Maria, lamenting that this (above) is what relief has become (2). Throwing scraps, far too little, far too late; indeed, it was later discovered that the Trump administration botched the response and that $20billion of relief funding was delayed due to unnecessary and unusual bureaucracy, and it is estimated that the majority of the deaths actually occurred in the aftermath of hurricane (3).

Some have begun to question if foreign aid is helpful. Is it building dependency on aid and harming local business? Does it support corrupt governments that misuse funds? Does it weaken the people's control over their governments (4)? In a world where even relief and aid are up for debate, I'm so glad that Andrés and others like him take a stand, cut through the red tape of bureaucracy, and provide meaningful, wonderful, life-affirming services for those in need.

Sources: 1, 2: We Feed People. Directed by Ron Howard, National Geographic Documentary Films, 2022.

3: Marcos, Coral Murphy. "Trump delayed $20bn in aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, report finds." The Guardian, 22 April 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/22/hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-trump-delayed-aid.

4: https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/trade-and-poverty/foreign-aid-pros-and-cons

[sophiesicelebblog]

The Power of Social Media in Humanitarianism (3/5)

Social media is undeniably a valuable communication tool, and its usefulness in the context of disaster relief cannot be understated. Armed with José Andrés' star power, World Central Kitchen (WCK) has very effectively harnessed power of social media, using the technology as a megaphone to the world, a call to action. Here are some findings from analysis of their social media accounts:

Recruiting.

As I stated in the last blog post, volunteerism is contagious! I've noticed that across their social media platforms many of their posts emphasize the volunteers and the work that they are doing. Many times when aid is required, we don't see it in person, and by showing followers images such as these it effectively encourages people to volunteer from wherever they may be. They have a popular hashtag #ChefsFor___ (followed by wherever they may be located, i.e., #ChefsForHaiti) that sends out the call to chefs who may be nearby or are able and willing to travel and help.

Information for the Affected.

The use of social media in disaster situations not only seeks to reach far-off places to inform people of where people need help, but it also functions as a way for victims and those living in impacted areas to receive information. Posts such as the video above in Guatemala help inform people of where they can safely evacuate, knowing they will get a hot meal and safe shelter. These sites often become hubs for not only food, but clothing, supplies, and medicine, so it's crucial that victims receive real-time information that could mean life or death.

Fundraising.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by José Andrés (@chefjoseandres)

WCK has provided millions upon millions of meals since its conception for those in need, and that is no cheap endeavor, sometimes costing upwards of $70,000 for a day's worth of just one ingredient, and that's only for one region (1). Using social media to advertise WCK helps bring in much-needed funding.

On a personal note, I'm very much looking forward to The World Central Kitchen Cookbook to be released later this year! It includes recipes from around the globe that have been collected from people that WCK has aided, and reportedly all proceeds will directly go to WCK.

A Call to Public Officials and Prominent Figures.

José Andrés does not shy away from using his influence as a public figure to call on other world leaders to act! He is acutely aware that when people come together they can do amazing things, but that does not eliminate the need for progressive policy and legislation that may prevent humanitarian crises from occurring in the first place. There are many posts across Andrés' social media accounts, particularly in the form of clips shared from his podcast, Longer Tables, that apply public pressure to enact meaningful change for the betterment of the planet.

Sources: 1: We Feed People. Directed by Ron Howard, National Geographic Documentary Films, 2022.

Links to Social Media Pages:

https://www.instagram.com/wckitchen/

https://twitter.com/chefjoseandres

https://twitter.com/WCKitchen

https://www.instagram.com/chefjoseandres/

[sophiesicelebblog]

The Psychology of Altruism and Volunteerism (2/5)

Altruism: "Altruism is acting to help someone else at some cost to oneself. It can include a vast range of behaviors, from sacrificing one’s life to save others, to giving money to charity or volunteering at a soup kitchen, to simply waiting a few seconds to hold the door open for a stranger. Often, people behave altruistically when they see others in challenging circumstances and feel empathy and a desire to help" (1).

World Central Kitchen (WCK) could never succeed without the altruism of its staff and volunteers (and, indeed, even those who are recipients of WCK’s aid). José Andrés and other staffers and volunteers selflessly throw themselves into dangerous situations in order to deliver food and supplies to those in desperate, immediate need. We get to witness a lot of this firsthand in We Feed People: the film opens with a hurricane in North Carolina, 2018, where Andrés, the volunteers, and even the camera crew are nearly flung from their truck as they attempt to drive through heavy flooding (deep enough for boats to drive through what is ordinarily dry land) to deliver food, eventually requiring assistance from Search and Rescue (2). We witness WCK traveling to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017, Guatemala after a volcanic eruption in 2018, as well as the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian in 2019; notably, in the Bahamas, they refused to wait to fly supplies in via helicopter, per the government’s instruction, so that there would be no delay in hungry people receiving food, opting instead to ask for forgiveness later (3). Andrés even got a forklift to bring meals to quarantined passengers and crew members on the Grand Princess at the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic (4).

To me, this is a huge part of what makes Andrés and WCK so incredibly inspiring: they are putting themselves directly in the front lines of humanitarian aid, not merely making calls behind a desk or waiting for someone else to come up with the solutions. They do not hesitate, they act. The nature of this work that depends upon reacting to the unknowable events of the future, whether that be natural disasters or even military conflict, inherently requires an altruistic spirit. You never know when you’ll be needed, where you will need to go, what will be required of you once you arrive. Making yourself available to serve others at the drop of the hat can take a toll on one’s mental, emotional, and physical health, and lessens time spent with family and loved ones. Despite this, Andrés forges ahead, always ready to help.

It’s clear that altruism and volunteerism help others in the immediate moment of need, but how did it contribute to Andrés’ wider success at making WCK a global leader in disaster relief, with people ready to join the cause time after time? Does volunteerism beget more volunteerism?

Studies have shown that altruism is, in fact, contagious:

“Rooted in human’s innate psychological and social behavior, observing others’ generosity sparks our own…This concept of ‘paying it forward’ may seem insignificant, but a recent study concluded that ‘one act of kindness was ultimately tripled in value by people subsequently giving more and more’.” (5)

There is a name for this contagiousness of good deeds: it's called the moral elevation effect. Moral elevation is defined as "a positive human emotion experienced when witnessing a virtuous act, one that improves the welfare of others" (6). Moral elevation causes "a feeling of warmth and expansion that is accompanied by admiration and affection for person(s) who performed the exemplary behavior," and contributes to "prosocial behaviors," including volunteering and charitable donations (7).

Simply put, an altruistic spirit not only helps the receiver, but also has psychological benefits. Talk about a win-win.

Sources:

1: “Altruism.” Psychology Today, Accessed 1 May 2023, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/altruism.

2, 3: We Feed People. Directed by Ron Howard, National Geographic Documentary Films, 2022.

4. Gregory, Sean. "'Without Empathy, Nothing Works.' Chef José Andrés Wants to Feed the World Through the Pandemic." TIME, 26 March 2020, https://time.com/collection/apart-not-alone/5809169/jose-andres-coronavirus-food/.

5: Fredette, Catherine. "Why the Contagious Nature of Altruism Matters to Global Poverty." Borgen Magazine, 17 September 2017, https://www.borgenmagazine.com/why-the-contagious-nature-of-altruism-matters/#:~:text=Altruism%20is%20Contagious&text=Rooted%20in%20human's%20innate%20psychological,others'%20generosity%20sparks%20our%20own.

6, 7: Van de Vyer, Julie and Abrams, Dominic. "Is moral elevation an approach-oriented emotion?" The Journal of Positive Psychology, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 178. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5215139/pdf/rpos-12-178.pdf

[sophiesicelebblog]

An Introduction on José Andrés, World Central Kitchen, and Food Relief (1/5)

I was inspired to share more information on chef José Andrés and his organization World Central Kitchen after watching Ron Howard’s phenomenal documentary, We Feed People. I discussed certain aspects of the documentary in a post earlier in the semester, but here I’d like to briefly dive into deeper detail on what We Feed People shares on Andrés, his history, and how World Central Kitchen came to be (1):

Andrés moved from his home country of Spain to Washington D.C. in 1993, when he was 23 years old. He had a complicated family life growing up, but one beautiful thing his family shared was a love of cooking. Andrés has fond memories of the family cooking for the whole neighborhood; Andrés’ father taught him if more people show up, you simply need to add more rice, and everyone will be able to eat. This philosophy stayed with him through his life. Once in the United States, Andrés took the culinary world by storm. He opened several successful restaurants, published several cookbooks, and was a staple figure on the Food Network and cooking segments on daytime television and late-night talk shows alike. He met his wife, Patricia, with whom he has three daughters that he absolutely adores (he even has a new television show with all three of them coming out soon).

While on vacation in the Cayman Islands in 2010, this successful entrepreneur’s path categorically shifted when a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti. Andrés knew he could not sit idly by when so many people needed help and answered the call to action. He recruited some of his chef contacts and began cooking and distributing food to the citizens of Haiti, knowing that there could be no delay in relief, that people need food and water now. From there, the spark of philanthropy was lit, and Andrés founded World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides food relief for victims of natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and climate emergencies.

Andrés and his team have made World Central Kitchen a prominent, successful organization on the global stage. So, how did he do it, and what makes him such an effective disruptor to our collective ideas of what relief can be? In the following blog posts, I will examine how Andrés utilizes the psychology of altruism and harnesses the power of social media to break through the barriers of Red Tape and bureaucracy in relief. Next, we’ll look to the future to see what’s next for Andrés, World Central Kitchen, and perhaps, if we’re lucky and collaborate, the entire globe.

Sources:

(1): We Feed People. Directed by Ron Howard, National Geographic Documentary Films, 2022.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 13: Trees, Mycelial Networks and Community

What can we learn from the trees?

Prior to watching Suzanne Simard's TED Talk, I knew that trees were connected beneath the surface, but I had no idea the extent of it! It's amazing that trees can communicate and share carbon and nutrients with each other. I think there is so much we can learn from the trees; in particular, I'm interested in how what we now know about trees and how they are "super-cooperators," as Simard phrased it, can be used as a sort of antidote to Darwinian individualist notions of "survival of the fittest." The whole group not only survives, but thrives, by working together and taking care of each other. It also reminds us to appreciate those who have helped and supported us - no one individual can do it alone.

I think Simard's humanization of the trees is an approach that makes it much more relatable for those who are just learning about these wonderful facets about trees: for example, older, larger trees that support the younger, smaller trees around them are what Simard calls mother trees, sharing nutrients with her saplings. Perhaps if we can learn to better relate to the forest and see all we have in common with trees and their familial interconnectedness, the more we can both care for it and take inspiration from it.

Why do you think trees have entered human consciousness to such a degree in recent years?

I think there's been a lot of pushback against capitalist thinking, a burgeoning rebellion against this "hustle and grind" culture that keeps us trapped inside offices or tethered to our computer screens all day. I think as a society we want to be in nature again! Additionally, after months-years of quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were reminded to appreciate nature and its mental health benefits.

I've also noticed a lot of content being shared online in recent years that reject colonial/western thinking and are looking instead to indigenous knowledge, which is inextricably linked to nature! Climate activists are also doing a wonderful job advocating for the environment, bringing trees to the forefront of our minds. I think nature documentaries and travel shows that encourage viewers to connect with nature are building upon these social media movements.

“The forest was like the Internet too—the world wide web. But instead of computers linked by wires or radio waves, these trees were connected by mycorrhizal fungi.”—Suzanne Simard

I love this Suzanne Simard quote because, like I said earlier, it breaks down the connections between trees in a way that makes it understandable for humans. I feel like it expresses the vastness of the network between them (and makes it easy to picture what it looks like beneath the surface), and by comparing it to the internet it invites us to relate to the trees, to see them as living, connected beings as ourselves.

Reflecting on my interactions with trees...

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is a lovely town abundant with trees (I suppose the word 'arbor' in the name of the town makes that clear though)! That makes it a little difficult for me to recall any specific memories of trees from my youth, but I do have a recent memory that feels significant. I went to visit my parents down in southern Delaware a few weeks ago. They live in the middle of nowhere almost two hours away from the train station in Wilmington, and as soon as we got close to their home we drove down a quiet country road, where the tree branches meet above you, creating a canopy through which the light comes shining. It was so peaceful, so quiet, and just so beautiful. It honestly filled me with such joy in that moment to feel like I'd left the insanity of city life for a while. It felt like I could jut relax and take a breath. I don't know what else to say other than the sight of the canopy of trees above me made me really happy.

My Digital Detox experience wasn't exactly surrounded by trees, just the handful that are planted along the sidewalks in the city, but in a similar way I did really enjoy spending some time walking by the East River and I feel like the natural element still had a relaxing effect for me.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 12: Street Art

This was such a cool, interactive, inspiring topic for the week; I especially found the TED talk from JR (below) particularly moving! These 'dialogues in the margins' can impact public discourse by creatively bringing complex social issues to our attention in a way that invites dialogue. In my opinion, by bringing some culture and artistic joy to our streets they also open us up in ways that we might not even be able to articulate, as all kinds of art do, bringing us all a little closer together. A wonderful example of this is JR's project, "Face 2 Face," also detailed in the video below.

In terms of my own personal experience, I've never made my own protest sign, but admittedly I did graffiti a few times one night after the presidential election in 2016. I was devastated by the result and, on a whim, a friend and I spray painted "I'm (Still) With Her" in a few places downtown (NOT on top of anyone else's artwork!). I think we just felt like the country had let us down, and that small act of rebellion made us feel powerful and heard for one night, at least. I'd be too scared to get caught now to do it again, however, and I appreciate the bravery of those who take the risk to make such beautiful spaces for us.

Now, it's photo time! I'm lucky to live in the Lower East Side, where there is a ton of street art to be seen. Admittedly, I have taken it for granted in recent months-years, barely noticing it most days as I speed through the neighborhood from one errand to another. I clearly needed the reminder to not only look up and appreciate the beauty around me, but also listen to what the walls (and the artists behind them) have to say.

I took this photo on the corner of Grand St and Norfolk, at the entrance to the Seward Park Community Center (a.k.a. the Child and Family Center). I was inspired to take this because it's so colorful and whimsical! Here we see a mural of a clown on the gate entrance to the left (I especially love how the artist incorporated the grates into the classic red clown wig) and children climbing a playground under the watchful eye of adults below on the right corner. I think this is such a fun and welcoming piece to have in the community, where there is a lot of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity; this mural seems to lovingly welcome all to the shared community space.

The artist is named Carla Torres (IG: @carlisimaultra). I've never seen her work before, but a scan of her social media shows that her work involves vibrant colors and emphasizes community and beauty in diversity, which is clearly also reflected in the mural above!

I took this photo just right down the block from the first piece, on the corner of Essex and Grand. This piece is by Hektad (IG: @hektad._official), who is a well-known street artist, and one of only a couple that I already knew of beforehand, so I definitely wanted to include something from him in this photo collection. You can see a common theme for his work: lots of hearts! It always puts a smile on my face when I see his work, which I think is largely the point. In regards to what I think he contributes/what he's trying to say, I think Hektad says it best himself: "It (art) is not always about the money. I just want to show the world to love art, love each other, and to spread all of that. To the other artists, we share that same idea of showing our love for art, so why not spread that love and work together to inspire others? Let's get that message across" (https://www.theunoppressed.com/hektad).

I took this photo of a sticker on the ground on the corner of Orchard and Grand because honestly I just thought it looked cool! She looks powerful yet somehow glamorous in a spacesuit made of what appears to be zippers. The artist is named Mike Raz (IG: @m1keraz), and he's another on the list that I haven't seen before. I think what makes this cool in a way is that he sells these stickers on his website (https://mikeraz.com/stickers), so it's impossible to know if he placed this himself or if someone else did. I just love the potential for artistic collaboration here for non-artists and people who live in the community!

Ok, this one I truly just wanted to post because I'll be moving away from New York at the end of next month after 14 years living here, and while I'm excited, I'm starting to feel sentimental about leaving as well. There's no artist name attached to this small tile, placed on Broome St between Eldridge and Chrystie, simply saying, "NEW YORK OR NOWHERE," but I like the mystery of not knowing who it is. New Yorkers have such a reputation for being strong and sticking together, which was so acutely felt during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this makes me think of that big-time. I'll carry that love for New York with me always.

This mural by Buff Monster is on the corner of Broome and Chrystie. Buff Monster's work (IG: @buffmonster) is so identifiable from his signature style: bright colors, whimsical cute monsters that are goopy/dripping with huge eyes. My partner loves Buff Monster, so I started noticing his artwork a lot! I think he brings such a playful energy that we (perhaps New Yorkers particularly) really need, living in the "concrete jungle" that is so frequently grey.

I have walked past this mural of Rosario Dawson on a water tower atop the corner of Bowery and Spring St for such a long time, but I never knew who made it. I did some Googling after photographing it and discovered it was actually done by a well-known artist discussed in the lecture notes this week: Shepard Fairey! The mural, entitled Power and Equality, is meant to symbolize women's empowerment, and Dawson was chosen as the subject because she's from the neighborhood and the city wanted to honor and thank her for her activism. (See here for closer views of the mural: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/shepard-fairey-bowery-rosario-dawson-mural-1611340)

I took a photo of this collage mural on the corner of Allen St and Stanton. Made by artist Brittany DiMauro (IG: @eternalpossesions), it depicts the protagonist of The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood's dystopian story set in a future where women have no rights, featuring magazine cutout-appearing letters writing "Blessed be my basic human rights," a play on the chilling greeting in the novel, "Blessed be the fruit," in which babies/fetuses are more valued than the women carrying them. I wanted to include this because I noticed it was put up after Roe v. Wade was overturned, so this feels like a timely warning for us. The mixture of modern text with a classic frame, to me, speaks to how this patriarchal attitude towards women feels like it's from the past, yet it really is happening now. I haven't seen their work before, but I followed them on Instagram and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of them in the future!

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 11: Sustainable Fashion

How does fast fashion impact me directly?

Confession time! In my 20s I definitely purchased all my clothes from fast fashion brands (H&M and Zara in particular). I was young and didn't have a lot of money but still wanted to feel cute, and that was all I could afford! I just wasn't thinking about the environmental effects at the time, which was clearly a privilege I took for granted. I haven't shopped at those stores in quite a long time, so that's a good first step, but I do have more work to do to decrease my impact environmentally (i.e., I should be going thrift shopping, etc.).

I do also think fast fashion is impacting all of us directly because the environmental effects of mass manufacturing and excessive landfill dumping of discarded garments are surely catching up to us as we speak!

Which celebrity brands are doing the most to address sustainability? Which ones are greenwashing?

I think celebrity brands like Nikki Reed's Bayou With Love (all garments are made in ethical facilities in LA and they use a lot of recycled materials) and Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop G Label (love her or hate her, they make garments that are made to last a long time and will be wardrobe staples throughout shifting fashion trends) are doing some great work. Robin Wright's Pour Les Femmes is another great example; they use leftover materials to produce quality garments on a small scale.

I'm curious to see what my classmates have to say in regards to celebrities that may be greenwashing, because truthfully I don't know that many celebrity clothing brands! One that I have heard about, however, is that Kate Hudson's Fabletics may have had a reputation for greenwashing at one time, but has since converted to more sustainable materials and practices.

Here's a short list of celebrity-owned ethical brands I found:

Thoughts on the viability of mushroom leather:

I think the idea of mushroom leather sounds amazing! It's more durable and absolutely more ethical and eco-friendly than cowhide (or any other animal) leather, and it "can be grown in pieces to the specific shape and size required by a designer, eliminating the need for cutting room waste" (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/dec/02/californian-firm-touts-mushroom-leather-as-sustainability-gamechanger). From what I gather, it still has a ways to go before it can become a large-scale solution (in terms of making it available to mass populations and also taking into consideration the cost to purchase it), but it sounds to me like a really wonderful addition to a long list of sustainable practices that we should all be considering.

Now, here are some fast facts and some reflections...

Pretty much every textile is recyclable, but not much of it is actually recycled. I am really big on recycling, and while I think there are more ways I can creatively recycle my clothes, I do have at least one contribution: I always recycle my old denim at Madewell stores, which take them and create new garments with them (and you get a discount on future denim purchases, which is a nice little incentive). It doesn't have to be denim from their store - it can come from anywhere and can be any age - so go forth and recycle!

2.  In the United States alone, over 25 million pounds of clothing end up in landfills or incinerators each year. I absolutely never throw out old clothes! I always donate clothing to a homeless shelter nearby, or in the past I might drop it off at Goodwill as well. My sister and I wear the same size, so we frequently will give each other our clothes to extend the life of the piece when we decide we want to switch our wardrobes up a bit!

3. Younger generations, more cautious about their fashion choices, could become the leaders in sustainable fashion. Like I said above, I know that I have work to do to make my wardrobe more sustainably-sourced. I don't go shopping very often, but when I do I really should be trying to thrift more! I'm so inspired by younger generations giving me this reminder. I'll start searching on apps like Thredup and Rent the Runway, and I'm looking forward to seeing what advice others have on our discussion board! I was also inspired to look up some thrift stores in Miami (where I'll be permanently moving at the end of next month) and found a super cool one called Peachtree Revival. I'm excited to find more and have this become a fun way to creatively express myself without harming the planet!

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 10: Thoughts on Jenny Odell's How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy

Artist Jenny Odell's book How to Do Nothing serves as a reminder to get off the phone, close down the laptop, and allow yourself the time with no other task than to truly notice and pay attention to the world around you: the people, animals, plants, and land that all coexist together. Social media and other tech companies survive and profit off the addictiveness of their products, which is distracting, isolating, and not good for our collective and individual mental healths. Odell emphasizes how in a deeply capitalistic society, our attention may be the final remaining asset we can withhold in resistance - we should be able to do things that are not merely for the sake of productivity! - and the notion of "doing nothing" (more on that later) is an incredibly effective way to do it.

Odell clarifies that this doesn't mean isolating from society (or technology) altogether, and describes how fulfilling the connections we share with neighbors, friends and family, and even strangers, plants, and animals can be.

"If we have only so much attention to give, and only so much time on this earth, we might want to think about reinfusing our attention and our communication with the intention that both deserve." -Jenny Odell

This quote (page 176) is my favorite from the book. I think it jumped out at me because much of the book is about resisting capitalistic hustle/grind culture, which is significant, but I appreciate that here Odell is gently reminding us that our time here is not infinite and is precious (perhaps there's some foreshadowing here for her second book, Saving Time). I feel that the call for intention to how we spend our time, where we devote our attention, and how we communicate is powerful!

So, why did this book became so popular during the COVID-19 era, almost a year after its publication?

I think How to Do Nothing was exactly the messaging people needed to hear at a time when unprecedented numbers of people were isolated, indoors, with only their phones and computer being used for communication. People were scared, which led to increased doom-scrolling through the news, and many people had more "free" time after being laid off, yet had nowhere to go and no funds to spend, thus the vast majority of time spent was online. People needed the nudge to unplug, (safely) get outside, and reconnect with nature and the world around us.

How does the attention economy benefit from our social media activity and media streaming consumption, and how does this book relate to the topic of celebrity culture?

I think the attention economy benefits from our activities and consumption, fundamntally, on a financial level. The more we engage and the more time we spend on our various technological devices, the more ads they sell. They get to know us through what we engage with online, providing increasingly tailored ads, showing us a nonstop barrage of advertisements for products we're conditioned to think we need, benefitting the advertisers. The more we find people we agree with (or disagree with) online, the more we find people to yell into the void with (or at), which increases our time on the platforms, and the cycle continues.

(Most) celebrities have learned that to remain relevant in the public eye, they must provide a constant flow of content for followers and subscribers to like and comment on. They, too, are coproducing and benefitting from the attention economy. We cannot help but compare ourselves to others we encounter in these online spaces, perhaps especially the aspirational lifestyles projected by celebrities online, which contributes to our capitalistic mindsets that we must purchase and spend more and more, and therefore must spend more of our time working to afford such luxuries. It's also noteworthy that time spent regularly posting online is time that could be spent resting/relaxing or connecting with nature; this is another way in which we've been conditioned to think our free time should still go towards producing.

What does Odell mean by 'doing nothing?' Are we capable of doing nothing? How does nature factor into this?

While I do not think we are literally capable of doing "nothing" (we're always breathing, with blood pumping, hearts beating, neurons firing in our brains), I think we can "do nothing" in the sense that I think Odell means: that we can spend time not at work, not to create profit or production. Simple activities such as taking a walk with a friend, sitting on a park bench, or admiring art in a museum - with phones put away! - are all examples of "doing nothing" that are nurturing and fulfilling for the soul, body, and mind, and have absolutely no root in or benefit to capitalism. In this sense, we are absolutely capable of "doing nothing."

Simply put, we're not meant to be on this earth only to produce; our lives are worth more than that! Nature plays a huge role in this. Western thinking largely considers nature as a barrier to progress, a resource for materials or land development, which completely neglects our place amongst it and our responsibility to all of earth's plants and creatures. We all survive in the ecosystem together, all life should be accountable to each other. I think Odell's developed friendship with birds, particularly the birds in her neighborhood, is a lovely example of a first step of how we can reexamine our relationship to animal and plant wildlife and the role we play in connection to them.

Time to get honest about my own tech habits...

I do try my best to take some digital detox breaks in the form of hikes/long walks and trips to the beach when I can (I especially love sitting by the ocean, listening to the waves, reading a book). It's likely clear, however, that these are seasonally dependent, so I don't get to do it quite as much as I would like to! I do run several times a week and try to make time for yoga almost daily, but admittedly both of those activities still involve some kind of technology (I listen to music while I run and I follow along with a yoga instructor online). During the quarantine era, I would go on six-mile walks with my partner at least a few days a week and we usually wouldn't be on our phones for that time, but other than that I spent the majority of my time in 2020 staring at a screen, for sure! Increased time away from my phone is definitely something I would like to prioritize in the future.

When I go to sleep, I'm pretty good about not being on my phone, but I do watch TV in bed to help me wind down, and occasionally I fall asleep with the TV on. The light of the screen wakes me up in the middle of the night, I turn it off, but now the damage is done, I have a hard time getting back to sleep and, next thing you know, I turn the TV back on to help me fall asleep again. What a terrible cycle! It's something I've been working on and I've definitely been improving, but it's difficult for my anxiety-brain to shut off without some kind of noise distraction at the end of the day. I'll keep working on it!

Forgive me, for I am no artist! Nevertheless, here's my map of my Digital Detox Walk as well as some reflections:

For my Digital Detox, I took a walk from my apartment in the Lower East Side, across the Williamsburg bridge, did a small loop in Williamsburg, and crossed the bridge back home.

Normally, if I was going on a walk like this I would listen to a podcast, so this was definitely different! Admittedly, at first I found myself feeling anxious, thinking of my to-do list and how I felt like I should be using my time more productively. I had to remind myself that that is exactly the kind of thinking that this time was meant to combat (and, ironically, this was an item on the to-do list, as it was for class). After a while, though, I was happily enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze over the water. I took some time at the top of the bridge to watch the boats on the East River and observe lots of strollers and cute dogs on the path. The traffic felt loud! Most everyone appeared in high spirits, however; the warm weather was seemingly having a positive effect on everyone, which was lovely to see. My thoughts were all over the place; I was reminded of a teacher who once told me I have a brain like a squirrel, scurrying quickly from one place to the next, which felt accurate, and gave me a chuckle. All in all I enjoyed myself, and I'd like to get better at not needing background noise from a TV or headphones to quiet my anxious thoughts and ease my mind.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 9: Human Population, Animal Rights, Celebrity Babies, and Climate Change

Are attitudes about fertility changing among Gen Z and Millennials?

I do think that there has been a shift in how Gen Z and Millennials think about and discuss fertility, one that has shifted to autonomy and greater questioning of the reasons why we've been made to feel like we must have children. A significant part of the conversation is due to economics; children are expensive! Increasingly the conversations I've had with friends about having children (including with my own partner, whom I've been with for four years) include the sentiment, "Maybe it would be nice to have kids someday, but how will we even afford to care for them?" I've also been feeling incredibly encouraged to see Gen Z and Millennials challenging patriarchal and capitalistic norms, many of which encourage us to procreate, understanding the value of making our own life decisions for ourselves!

Having one fewer child is 73 times more effective for the planet and animals than being vegan. Thoughts?

Wow! Yes, I was surprised to learn this. Once you hear it, it makes total sense, which leads me to think the reason that it's so surprising is that it's rarely talked about. I've heard quite a lot in recent years about the effects of livestock and agriculture on carbon emissions, and therefore how adopting a vegan lifestyle cuts down on that, but upon reflection, I can absolutely see how having fewer children would go even further to reduce our carbon footprint: it means fewer people to feed and house (which means consuming less energy) and fewer people driving cars and purchasing clothes and goods (consider plastic goods alone, for instance!).

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

I'm not sure if celebrities' baby news intentionally puts pressure on others, as I think when they share about their babies they're likely just trying to increase awareness about them as a sort of brand (I'm thinking of the Kardashians as a specific example here, as their family is their brand), but I do think it could have the unintentional effect of pressuring others. When they show their cute babies in designer children's clothing, they're advertising a certain lifestyle without addressing how their financial resources afford them so much help! For those who may not know better, they may see this and aspire to live like that and give a child an extravagant life like that, although it is difficult or near-impossible to achieve.

"Since I had no kids and my husband was pretty independent, I had freedom. So I think a big part of my whole success is the fact that I was free to work." -Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton, apart from being known as an internationally-beloved artist, is also well known for her philanthropic efforts; she got special attention recently for her organization, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which gifts free books for children. Clearly, she partially attributes her ability to help others with her lack of children and the time and resources that affords her. She doesn't restrict her work to humans, however, and she recently launched Doggy Parton, her line of toys and apparel for pets that benefits Willa B. Farms Animal Rescue. The website (below) states, "Part of the proceeds will support Willa B. Farms, a rescue where animals in need find never-ending love. Don't we all need that?"

How can we innovate ways to provide women globally with more agency over their fertility decisions? What is the impact of the Roe v. Wade rollbacks in the United States on these trends?

I think one way we can provide women with more agency over fertility decisions is through education! Yes, just as Vanessa Nakate taught us, the key to a healthy, prosperous life begins with a quality education. We need to teach women and girls about reproductive health so they can advocate for themselves and make informed decisions. From there, we can all make better decisions with our medical health and who we choose to vote for, which has major repercussions on our ability to choose how we plan a family for ourselves.

We have unfortunately learned this the hard way with the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Because of a Supreme Court decision influenced largely by politicians, many people will be left without access to quality reproductive healthcare and will lack the education and resources to prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place. More unwanted children will be born (contributing to the foster care-to-prison pipeline), lives may be lost due to lack of access to terminate a dangerous pregnancy, and quality of life will suffer for many. This is why I say we must educate and vote.

How do celebrities like Jane Goodall and Cher have an impact on expanding empathy for animals, reducing agricultural land use and expanding biodiversity?

I think what celebrities like Jane Goodall and Cher do really successfully is that they communicate in such a way that humanizes animal and plant life. Goodall speaks to the emotional connection that can be shared with chimpanzees, and Cher tells us about the psychological distress that elephants are capable of, just like humans. I think it's crucial to show that animals have feelings, needs, and personalities, same as us, and that they're not stupid or inferior to humans, but amazing, intelligent creatures we should consider ourselves lucky to share the planet with. Celebrities like Goodall and Cher use their resources and professional and artistic connections to educate the masses, showing places and wildlife that we would never get to see in our daily lives.

Check this out: In the spirit of the documentaries we viewed recently, and coinciding with the topic this week, I have a documentary to recommend! The Elephant Whisperers won the Academy Award this year for Best Documentary Short Film and it is absolutely wonderful.

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

"Unlike previous extinction events caused by natural phenomena, the sixth mass extinction is driven by human activity, primarily (though not limited to) the unsustainable use of land, water and energy use, and climate change." -World Wildlife Fund (https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-is-the-sixth-mass-extinction-and-what-can-we-do-about-it#:~:text=Unlike%20previous%20extinction%20events%20caused,been%20converted%20for%20food%20production.)

The Anthropocene (aka "Age of Humans") is the epoch we're currently in, beginning with the dawn of humanity. In short, humans are the direct and sole cause of loss of biodiversity on the planet presently occurring in the Anthropocene. In particular, the way we grow food is responsible for killing ecosystems, releasing carbon into the atmosphere, and contributing to droughts. This is different from the previous mass extinctions, as they were caused by natural phenomena, while this sixth mass extinction is caused by humans alone (despite the fact that we only account for .01% of Earth's total biomass). See this short video from Smithsonian Magazine:

Save the Sea Turtles!

I'm probably most aware of sea turtles as an endangered species because of the recent push to ban plastic straws that pollute the ocean and get stuck in their noses. Due to overfishing, they are increasingly getting stuck in fishing nets, they're being poached, and climate change impacts sand temperatures, affecting the sex of the hatchlings, which may decrease population numbers (https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle).

So, how can we help preserve their habitats?

The National Ocean Service has a list of ways to help protect the ocean, including by conserving water use, reducing waste and pollutants, using less energy and reducing vehicle-usage, and shopping wisely for sustainable products (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html). Of course, you can also volunteer to help ocean-cleaning efforts! There are organizations such as The Ocean Cleanup that are working to innovate technology to lead the largest ocean cleanup in history.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 7: A Discussion on We Feed People, A Ron Howard Documentary

We Feed People is an incredibly moving documentary from director Ron Howard and National Geographic Documentary Films about nonprofit World Central Kitchen and its founder, chef José Andrés. For those who do not already know, World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit that was founded in 2010 after the devastating earthquake in Haiti left Andrés wanting to use his culinary skills to do some good for humanity and help the people of Haiti. From there, World Central Kitchen has become a crucial food relief organization, bringing meals to victims of natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

Check out the trailer and the film's website below:

Now, let's dive in...

"You see, food relief is not just a meal that keeps hunger away. It’s a plate of hope. It tells you in your darkest hour that someone, somewhere, cares about you." -José Andrés

We Feed People asks viewers to question how they can use their skills and talents, no matter what they may be, to help others in need. Chef Andrés discovered that there tends to be a delay in feeding people who have just suffered a catastrophe and ensuring they will have food and water to survive - the film highlights in particular the 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2017 Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the 2018 Fuego Volcano eruption in Guatemala, Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Andrés strives to do more than just provide subsistence, however. He doesn't just want people to survive, he wants them to be treated with dignity, providing them with meals that are actually comforting and filling rather than just the bare minimum to live on, and he treats them with respect for their cultures, instructing their chefs and volunteers to learn from local customs and give the people food they love.

The staff and volunteers of World Central Kitchen are followed as they prepare food, transport ingredients and materials, and navigate the rough terrains following natural disasters, looking for people who are hungry and bringing them food. Their team prepare thousands of dishes each day, and their care and labor truly shows. Ron Howard's style invites the viewer into the backseat of the cargo trucks and helicopters, letting them feel as though they are "boots on the ground" alongside Andrés and his team, seeing the joy on people's faces as they receive their meals.

This film reveals government insufficiencies and delays in response due to bureaucracy (which Andrés has no patience for, but more on that later) to natural disasters. Most people believe that the government takes immediate action when a crisis occurs, and while that is true to a certain extent, Andrés is not shy about commenting on how slow the government is in providing people with food. Much attention is given to energy and infrastructure, which is important, but no one seems to consider feeding the survivors.

We Feed People effectively shows Andrés in pleading phone calls with FEMA and The American Red Cross alongside tone-deaf footage of former-President Donald Trump in Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Maria saying, "I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’re throwing our budget a little out of whack!" This film provides insight into the logistics of solving a disaster and, as Andrés excels at, how simple systems can solve large problems.

"There is dignity in making sure people are fed." -Ron Howard

Andrés used his own money, opening multiple lines of credit, with no financial support, to purchase food and supplies at the beginning. It was almost as an act of rebellion against slow-moving governmental intervention and bureaucratic red tape; he said he knew that he needed to bring food and supplies to people now and he could figure out where the money would come from later. His philosophy of "help people now, ask questions later" inspires viewers to take the leap and make themselves of service.

"Charity seems its about the redemption of the giver, when charity should be about the liberation of the receiver." -José Andrés

Prior to We Feed People being released, Andrés already had an absolutely stellar reputation for his culinary skills (he owns and operates dozens of high end restaurants), but this film highlighted his humanitarian efforts. They do not sugarcoat his personality in this film, however. In fact, you see him yell and get frustrated with staff for nearly causing chaos in giving out food in a disorganized way, swearing and getting up close in one staffer's face. Nevertheless, you feel his soul and and how hard he works (and, yes, he did sincerely apologize afterwards), and how he pushes his staff to work, to give back to others. His philosophy of building systems to feed people that the residents can then take over and continue on their own is so empowering.

Andrés emphasizes over and over again that it's not about him and his reputation, however, it's about the fact that food seems to be an afterthought in disaster relief. He doesn't want the praise; he wants people to know that there are hungry people out there who do not need to be hungry, and invites us all to help.

Director Ron Howard has had an amazing career in Hollywood. As such, it's not so much that this film gave him newfound publicity, but it did mark a new era of humanitarianism in his career. We Feed People highlights different people from all parts of the world, showing that we are all one people and that we must do our part to contribute and help others.

10/10 - I would absolutely recommend this documentary - and this organization.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 6: Climate Justice, Food Sustainability and Black Lives Matter

Who is Leah Thomas and what happened last year at COP26?

Leah Thomas is an environmental activist, writer, and the founder of @greengirlleah, her eco-lifestyle blog (https://www.greengirlleah.com/about-2). Much of her work is focused on Intersectional Environmentalism (more on that below!), addressing the inequalities and insufficiencies present in current climate activism, which is geared towards the (white) Global North.

At COP26, a global climate conference, Leah Thomas and other activists from the Global South were disheartened to discover that although they were presented with accreditation for the conference, they were still not permitted access to many of the discussions and presentations (including President Barack Obama's presentation geared towards youth, which notably had almost no youth in attendance). They were offered merchandise as souvenirs from various organizations/companies rather than a meaningful seat at the table.

What is Intersectional Environmentalism and how does it relate to Black Lives Matter?

Intersectional Environmentalism is a form of environmentalism advocating for both the health and safety of the planet and recognition and support for those marginalized peoples who have been the most affected by climate change. Intersectional Environmentalism is inclusive, working against the very attitudes and exclusionary experiences such as the gatekeeping of non-white youth activists like Leah Thomas detailed above. I think The History of Intersectional Environmentalism best describes its importance and relevance: "We all face compounding and interrelated struggles, but only by being conscious of the folks targeted and acutely harmed by these systems and honoring, centering, and protecting their experiences can we create equitable change and lasting solutions (10:50).

Intersectional Environmentalism relates to Black Lives Matter in that many Black Americans are forced to deal with the harmful effects of climate change such as air pollution, being forced to live near landfills or harmful chemical plants due to remnants of redlining policies, or emergencies such as the Flint Water Crisis. The lack of action to protect these people from the environmental risks being forced upon them contributes to lower quality of life and even shorter lifespans. Intersectional Environmentalism allows for Black Americans (and others!) to work together to support each other and find creative solutions, working towards climate justice and asserting that yes, in fact Black Lives Matter.

Who is Leah Penniman? What is Soul Fire Farm and why is it important to the climate movement?

Leah Penniman is a farmer who advocates for and educates on Afro-Indigenous farming practices as a way to connect one's heritage and culture to the land, learn about Afro-Indigenous histories that have been largely whitewashed/erased by modern Western culture and colonialism, and as an incredibly useful tool to fight climate change.

Her farm, Soul Fire Farm, is considered a Regenerative Farm, which means that not only is it eco-friendly, but it is actually removing carbon from the air and replacing it in the soil, which is much needed. Practices include cover cropping: planting crops that allow animals to graze and fertilize the soil naturally, eliminating the need for fertilizers and pesticides. This is so important for the climate movement not only because it is incredibly effective, but because of their successful educational programs for youth and nearby communities, many of whom are minorities, who are invited to join and learn the importance of caring for the planet and growing your own food sustainably.

Now, let's discuss Alexis Nikole, the "Black Forager!"

Alexis Nikole's TikTok is SO fun, it's hard to pick just one favorite video, but I've included the link below for one that I was particularly interested in. In the video she uses pine needles to make a natural version of Sprite, which is just too intriguing not to try when wintertime rolls around again this year!

https://www.tiktok.com/@alexisnikole/video/7175275837758016814

I think she taps into both the fun and creative possibilities of TikTok while keeping the awareness that it's a platform that a lot of people use to find/share information, which is clearly a winning combination. She uses funny voices, sings, and includes animals in short yet jam-packed-with-information videos. She brings up issues of race - it's a personal act of rebellion for her to forage for food from the land following post-emancipation laws passed to keep freed slaves tethered to the plantations they worked on - as well as body image, and mental health, all while making it fun for the viewer.

How do you define food sovereignty in your own life? Do you grow your own food? Do you forage? Compost? Did the pandemic change your food habits? How do you connect to the 'black gold' of soil?

I would say the general definition of food sovereignty is one's ability to choose their food and control how they get it. In that sense, I would say I do have a certain degree of food sovereignty in that I do not live in an area affected by food apartheid. I have plenty of grocery stores with healthy, affordable options nearby and it's very rare that there would be something I would want to eat that connects to my heritage that I cannot find (I'm German, so if I was craving food from my childhood and wanted schnitzel, for example, it wouldn't be difficult to get/make). Trying to connect it to larger themes we've explored this week, however, I would say that a deeper look at my own food sovereignty leaves a lot to be improved upon; I don't forage or compost, nor do I really ever have any contact with or connection to the "black gold" of soil other than watering my houseplants, which doesn't count. The pandemic didn't exactly help, as I was getting way more of my food as takeout or delivered from restaurants, but I have had a shift back to healthier eating and home cooking in recent months. Nevertheless this topic has given me a lot to reflect on!

Everyone, meet Kevin J. Patel:

Kevin J. Patel is a youth intersectional climate justice activist and the founder of OneUpAction International, an organization that provides resources for marginalized youth to become activists and changemakers. He is also a UN Togetherband Ambassador and a 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer. Patel's environmental activism journey began because he grew up with severe heart problems caused by the poor air quality in Los Angeles. Knowing he was just one of countless people worldwide who are negatively affected by the climate crisis and that the majority of those affected are the poor and those of lower socioeconomic status, Patel knew that immediate climate action must be taken and that it can literally mean the difference between life and death. (https://www.imkevinjpatel.com/).

Thoughts on How to Save a Planet: "Soil: The Dirty Climate Solution:"

I really enjoyed learning about regenerative farming, which I had never heard of before! As I touched on earlier, regenerative farming means that crops are grown in such a way that they actually remove carbon from the air and place it back in the soil through natural means, rather than pesticides and fertilizers (or plowing!). I'm really drawn to this notion of not only stopping climate change but restoring balance and harmony to the planet.

I loved that regenerative farming is rooted (pun only slightly intended...) in a holistic approach, in not just caring for a particular crop, but the entire ecosystem. There's something really beautiful about that, but besides, it's also better for the economic bottom line! I was so happily surprised to learn that Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz were actually able to produce their food 20% cheaper than the days when they used chemicals and plows. Grant touched on an important piece, though, that people are stubborn and it's difficult to admit when we're wrong. I think a lot of pushback for regenerative farming practices may come from political beliefs; by this I mean I can see how some farmers may get so hung up on the partisan notion that climate change isn't real that they may be unwilling to change their methods in response to it. Nevertheless, I'm encouraged by the efforts made by Leah Penniman, Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz, and others like them who are beginning to see the possibilities.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 4: Discussing A Bigger Picture by Vanessa Nakate

All I can say is: Wow! Vanessa Nakate is an incredibly talented writer who presents compelling evidence that our plant is in danger, immediate danger; this is the crisis of our present, not some far off distant future. Vanessa - I'll call her Vanessa moving forward, as she calls others by their first names throughout her book, evoking a compassionate familiarity - wants to educate readers that the climate emergency is a daily reality for billions living in the Global South who suffer the brunt of the effects of pollution, despite contributing the least to the problem. She weaves a story beginning with how she first became involved as a climate activist, followed by evidence and statistics which simultaneously scares the reader and effectively holds up a mirror, showing that we are all contributing to climate change, and concludes with a call to action and a message of hope. Vanessa's message is truly inspiring! Now, let's dive a little deeper...

Who is Vanessa Nakate? Why is the photograph important? Vanessa Nakate is a climate activist from Uganda. After finishing her business degree but prior to her graduation ceremony, she began to question just why African countries were dealing with a seemingly endless cycle of environmental issues ranging from flooding to droughts, causing major problems with crops which led to malnutrition, starvation and poverty, mudslides and flooding in which thousands lost their homes, businesses and families, and loss of natural plant and animal life. Her research led her to learn about climate change, or as Vanessa more accurately calls it, the climate emergency. Her anger and fear turned to determination as she first discovered the #FridaysForFuture strikes led by Greta Thunberg, followed by the works of dozens of other activists (many of whom she names in her book). She decided to begin protesting in her hometown, at first just with a small handful of family members. As her platform grew, so too did opportunities to share her voice to advocate for those in the Global South who, as the ones who live with the realities of the climate emergency largely created by the Global North, desperately need to be heard.

Which, of course, brings us to the photograph.

At a press conference following a climate strike with Arctic Basecamp, Vanessa was one of five activists who spoke on a panel and were photographed afterwards by the press; Vanessa was the only Black speaker alongside four white women. When the news broke in the Associated Press, not only was Vanessa cropped from the photograph of the event, but her very presence was omitted from the article. Devastated, Vanessa took to social media to call out the Associated Press, poignantly writing,

"You didn't just erase a photo

You erased a continent

But I am stronger than ever"

This incident speaks to Vanessa's whole point: in discussions of climate change and climate activism, Africa and the Global South are consistently neglected by the Global North, who hold the vast majority of money, resources, and responsibility. The hardships caused by climate change are daily for those in Africa, and yet their voices are entirely swept under the rug. Vanessa knew that the erasure of one person from a photograph was not the whole story, but rather it signifies a much larger problem on a global scale.

"It was time for me to leave that place of fear and face the world."

Though it is difficult to pick just one favorite quote from Vanessa's book, I would have to say I think this is mine. It is written early on in the story (page 17), and that's part of what I appreciate about it. Vanessa emphasizes that she was nervous, really nervous to begin her journey as an activist. She's a shy person who describes that the cultural norms of her home, Uganda, do not typically understand a woman speaking out publicly. Additionally, she had justifiable fears of being arrested. Despite this, Vanessa knew that the fight for our planet was far more important. I think it's so relatable, perhaps especially for someone with anxiety like myself, because no matter how big or small, we've all had something we must do that has scared us, and she is reminding us that it's ok to be scared and that fear does not have to hold us back. Fear can (and often does!) coexist with bravery, and the scariest part is just taking that first step.

I love this photo from Vanessa's Instagram account (posted February 21, 2022) because it just communicates everything she wants to say so succinctly! The use of the words "No Time Left" emphasizes the immediacy of the problem, that the climate emergency is already occurring right now as we speak. Vanessa of course details how important immediate action is throughout her book, but she also importantly calls out global leaders who make performative statements while never taking action; it's a whole lot of "Blah Blah Blah," and I love how she isn't afraid to say so. She's also utilizing social media by use of hashtags; she began her climate strikes in small numbers, at times by herself, in Uganda, but she knew that she could reach a much wider audience through the power of social media. Themes of urgency, demanding action from leadership, and the strength of our collective voices are all present in A Bigger Picture, and I think this photo captures that spirit.

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

In response to the above statement, first and foremost I would say I agree - we would all benefit from listening. I think that Vanessa learned the power of her voice gradually, thus she doesn't take it for granted. She writes in her book that she didn't have many followers on social media when she began her activist mission, and only a few people actually acknowledged her while she protested other than an occasional confused glance. As she began to grow in followers (thanks in part to Greta Thunberg reposting her photo), she claimed her space on the global stage of climate activism, never wavering. She uses that power to share the spotlight with other activists and encourages those who are new to activism to believe in the power of their voices too.

Rise Up Movement Africa (https://www.riseupmovementafrica.org/) is an organization that Vanessa co-founded to help share the voices of climate activists from all across Africa. As Vanessa says, "When it comes to the African continent, it is, of course, on the frontlines of the climate crisis. But it's not on the front pages of the world's newspapers" (https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/vanessa-nakate-climate-change-is-about-people). I think that's a huge part of what makes her work so important: she created a platform to fill the void left by mainstream media to share diverse stories about how climate change affects people we don't usually hear from. Through Rise Up Africa's 1Million Activist Stories, Vanessa and her team essentially hand the microphone to the people directly, empowering them to share their experiences with the world.

I think the thesis of the video above is essentially that we need to look outside ourselves, away from numbers, projections, and profits, and look at our fellow people. Climate change largely affects populations that are already disadvantaged: the poor, farmers, and especially women and girls, who are often responsible for providing food and clean water for their families. These are all people who receive little attention despite needing it the most, and the Global North has fallen short on its promises for aid. This video is telling us to open our eyes and look around, because we are all people deserving of happy, healthy lives, and must work together to fix this crisis.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 3: What is Celebrityhood?

How can celebrities use their influence and power for social good?

Celebrities have a massive advantage that could help them be a force for social good if they so choose: access to publicity! They have the ability to reach millions of people in an instant through social media and employ publicists to further circulate stories about them. Social media is a great way to share information about causes and organizations that are important to them. Additionally, they can use their platform to increase public pressure on issues they care about. Take the case of the West Memphis Three, where three teenagers were wrongfully convicted of murder. Multiple celebrities such as Peter Jackson, Natalie Maines, and Winona Ryder, among others, put out music, raised funds, and posted on social media to pressure the state of Arkansas to overturn their conviction. While their conviction currently stands, the public soon joined in advocating for their release, and it worked! This is just one example of the countless ways celebrities can use their star power for good.

People are wary of performative activism, however, watching for celebrities to actually walk the walk. Actors such as Jane Fonda and Shailene Woodley are prime examples of a celebrity willing to use their fame to their advantage in protest, out in the real world, not just over a phone screen.

Can they become superhero(ine)s for social change to influence and impact much-needed accelerated change?

I think in order to truly become a superhero(ine) for change, there needs to be coalition. For instance, we know that only 15% of people take 70% of the flights annually (https://weareyard.com/insights/worst-celebrity-private-jet-co2-emission-offenders). Now if such a small group can make such a big difference, let's imagine what a small group could do working together for good! Many celebrities advocate for various causes and have founded some wonderful organizations, but I think what could elevate a person to superhero(ine) status could be joining together to pool money, resources, pressure, and awareness (such as they did for the West Memphis Three).

Is the nature of celebrityhood, in an era of superstorms and super-sized global issues undergoing a transformation for social good? How?

I must admit I'm a bit conflicted on how to answer this one! I think that in general the nature of celebrityhood remains largely selfish. We live in a society in the United States that values conspicuous consumption, and with the invention of social media the desire for attention influences purchasing habits and the desire to project a luxurious lifestyle. As such, many will continue to prioritize their own wealth over the well-being of the many.

However, I don't intend to sound too pessimistic! I think there is increased pressure, coming largely from younger generations (in my opinion) who are demanding change on a number of social issues, for celebrities to put their money where their mouth is. Indeed social media acts as a vehicle for activists to become celebrities themselves, putting their causes on an international stage. In that sense, I do think that the nature of celebrityhood is heading in the right direction. It's a new question of who we choose to make celebrities.

In light of the recent statistics on celebrity private jet usage, do you agree with proposals to tax them at a high rate? Would this solve the issue of global warming caused by airplane emissions?

I absolutely think that we should tax private jet usage/fuel usage at a high tax rate. I can understand why someone might argue that because they are wealthy they can afford to pay the tax and it wouldn't affect their flight habits at all (which, I suspect would be true), but to me what is important is where that money could go towards. That's money that could be invested in green energy, for instance, that we wouldn't have had before. While I don't think it would solve the environmental problems caused by the jet usage, and truly I don't see why anyone needs them at all, it's at least a start, and perhaps it may help to deter future first-time private jet purchasing.

How can we reward celebrities who align with social causes? And how can we discern greenwashing spin from true commitment?

We can reward celebrities for their alignment with social causes via our viewership and attention. I think it's important to convey that we value those who use their status and resources to help others, so by giving them our collective attentions for their good work, that's a great way to hopefully inspire other celebrities to get onboard as well. Furthermore, we can reward them by donating, volunteering our time, or otherwise helping the organizations they share when we can! I think people can sometimes forget what a great feeling it is to feel like you've truly helped someone and made a difference, so imagine if we flooded the organizations/causes that a celebrity has worked on with time and resources, showing them that they have helped make a difference; maybe that will inspire them to continue on with their good work.

In terms of discerning what is true commitment, I think the answer to that is to research. Search to see what they have actually done, look for photographs, articles, and videos of them putting the real work in. We don't owe any given celebrity our attention and admiration, so if we're going to put them on a pedestal, let's make sure they belong there.

Imagine the next generation of admired celebrities: what would they be known for? Write an imagined bio for a celebrity of the future.

I imagine (hope) the next generation of celebrities will be admired for their sharing of wealth and for their environmental activism (I say this because I think it's the most pressing international issue that needs our urgent attention). For example:

"X" was thrust into the spotlight for her portrayal as Jane Goodall in the biopic about her life, a role "X" said she took because it was important to her to tell the story of the great work that Goodall has done through her environmental activism. So inspired by Goodall, "X" then used her proceeds from the film to found the "X Foundation," which works to raise money for climate change research and education. "X" regularly does volunteer work around the globe and has called for international governments to join together in this fight.

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 2: Compassionate Leadership

What is Jacinda Ardern's legacy and impact as a compassionate leader?

I think Jacinda Ardern's term as Prime Minister of New Zealand solidified her place in the collective minds of countless people worldwide as a shining new example of what a leader can be. Every decision she made proved how deeply she cares for the people of her country, and every decision was for the safety and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. One of the most telling and impactful images that comes to mind is that of Ardern embracing members of the Muslim community after the white supremacist attack on Christchurch mosques. Yes, there were crucial decisive actions that she took in the aftermath (more on that below), but it cannot be understated how healing a simple act of compassion and empathy can be for a community in pain.

Furthermore, Jardern treated everyone she encountered with dignity and respect, and expected the same in return of those around her. This sets a wonderful example for girls (and, truthfully, everyone) everywhere to stand up for themselves and what they believe in. Jacinda Ardern's legacy is the most genuine example of what a deeply caring public servant looks like.

How would you define compassionate leadership? Can power and empathy coexist?

Not only do I feel that empathy and power can coexist, but I think that they should coexist. True compassionate leadership requires both; a leader cannot be afraid to make difficult decisions for the good of the community (such as Ardern's swift, decisive action on gun control and her bold handling of the COVID-19 pandemic), and must be willing to accept the responsibility the role requires of them. However, this does not mean that one should lead with a cold, iron fist. We are all human and all deserve to be treated as such. I believe you can make sound decisions with both your head and your heart guiding you. Thus, I'd like to reference the wise Brené Brown in my personal definition of compassionate leadership as someone who possesses a "strong back, soft front, wild heart" (https://onbeing.org/programs/brene-brown-strong-back-soft-front-wild-heart/).

Does the world need more female leaders? How could this change the world?

Yes, I absolutely think the world needs more female leaders! This ties into the growing ongoing conversation in the public sphere on the importance of diversity in leadership. Simply put, increased diversity (in this case, women in particular) in leadership will inevitably bring a variety of unique histories and points of view to the table, creating a vast, shared knowledge to guide us into a more equitable, harmonious future. Additionally, I think this could further improve the world by showing girls role models of women in positions of leadership, therefore expanding the opportunities girls envision for themselves.

Choose a leader, provide a photo, a key quote, and a paragraph about how their empathetic and selfless actions have helped to redefine power and compassion and contributed to significant global impact.

I've chosen the lovely Sir David Attenborough as my empathetic leader to discuss. He has a long career in nature broadcasting and nature conservation in which he advocates for protecting all species of plant and animal life as well as reversing climate change. In his narration, he lovingly and often playfully humanizes the animals we see onscreen, treating each one with dignity, reminding viewers that human beings are not alone on this planet and not the only ones worthy of respect. The compassion he shows for all of the creatures and plants on Earth equally is palpable as he uses his wildly successful platform to simultaneously entertain and educate. His position as someone with massive international influence allows him to not only educate home viewers, but also global leaders, delivering passionate speeches to organizations such as the United Nations, urging for international cooperation in combatting climate change and protecting wildlife. His altruism and love for nature is contagious, influencing ever-new generations to love, care for, and protect our dear planet.

"It's surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth." -Sir David Attenborough

[sophiesicelebblog]

Week 1: Introductions!

Hello, everyone! :) My name is Sophie and I'm a senior in the BPATS program with a major in Musical Theater living in New York City, though I may be also be back and forth to Miami quite a bit in the coming months. Because all of my requirements for my major have been completed, I was happily able to pick some classes that just seemed fun and interesting, including this one! I'm definitely into pop/celebrity culture just for fun (we know we all need to unwind and just have some mindless entertainment after a long day) and I'm absolutely more interested in learning about the culture of change and advocacy, so I'm very excited to learn and work with all of you in this course.

My change-making icon for the week is Geena Davis. She founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a research organization that aims to create more diversity and visibility (including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age) in all forms of media. Their slogan is "If she can see it, she can be it," which I love.