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#1: Have you considered nature to be feminine or masculine? What references to nature/Earth/the environment have you heard of that deem it/them feminine (i.e.: “Mother Earth”)

No.  I have not considered this before, but I am happy to consider this question now.  Indeed Mother Earth is feminine, giving birth to new life, nurturing and restoring life.

 #2: Are there any specific examples in literature that refer to nature/Earth/environment as feminine? (i.e.: Emily Dickinson’s Nature “the gentlest mother”)

 https://www.google.com/search?q=poetry+about+mother+nature&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Article Share: Ecofeminism

Virginia Scharff: a woman, a professor, a historian, and a published author.  Scharff wrote this article that I have chosen to write about in my final project (http://web.b.ebscohost.com.winthropuniversity.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=fe78525d-2468-42c6-8c66-f32d0bfcf42d%40sessionmgr103).  I chose this because I wanted to discuss how the world, how mother Earth, and how nature is in fact, feminine.  Women are known as mothers, nurturers, and we give life to children.  Our Earth is very similar to this concept in the fact that the Earth also gives life to its inhabitants through water and other natural resources.  Scharff delves into discussing women’s history, women and environmentalism, and how “nature” must be “liberated” for women and any other oppressed group to achieve emancipation (Scharff 165).

#1: Have you considered nature to be feminine or masculine? What references to nature/Earth/the environment have you heard of that deem it/them feminine (i.e.: “Mother Earth”)

#2: Are there any specific examples in literature that refer to nature/Earth/environment as feminine? (i.e.: Emily Dickinson’s Nature “the gentlest mother”)

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The World’s Disappearing Sand

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/23/opinion/the-worlds-disappearing-sand.html

I had no knowledge about this issue until recently when I heard that the state of California is cracking down on its last beachfront sand-mining operation in U.S. So I did some research and discovered that sand was not only very much in demand and profitable but it’s also a finite resource.  I was blown away by what I read and wanted to immediately share this information with others..

Question 1

We use more of this natural resource than any other except _____________ & _____________.

Question 2

Can you list three uses for this natural resource?

Question 3

Why is sand profitable?

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Popular Culture and the Lobster

From this definition of popular (pop) culture ‘cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people’, I feel the need to clarify my previous statement on the topic.  The general public is fixated with entertainment and recreation.  Popular culture events attempts to meet the wants and desires of the general public and even seduces them.  Popular culture appeals to the physical and frames everything as glamorous that will enhance ones enjoyment of life.  The media is charged with handling popular culture for the general public. Whereas the MLF simply follows this trend.  The general public comes, partakes and leaves all without consciousness (mostly).  

 And popular culture also questions its lack of consciousness.  This is a popular way to keep the general public engaged in discussion and to challenge their moral fiber.  David Foster Wallace, the writer of CONSIDER THE LOBSTER, does a beautiful job in this critique.  He educates, stimulates empathy and ask poignant questions.  The writer also bares his self and acknowledges his/our limitations.  His closing statement speaks volumes;

“These last couple queries, though, while sincere, obviously involve much larger and more abstract questions about the connections (if any) between aesthetics and morality, and these questions lead straightaway into such deep and treacherous waters that it’s probably best to stop the public discussion right here. There are limits to what even interested persons can ask of each other.”

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MLF Perspective in Action

What has been the role of popular culture in our understanding/celebration/framework perspective of the environment and/or nature?

Popular culture promotes, applause and celebrates local resources like the MLF (Maine Lobster Festival) and individuals like the author of this article looks closely at the framework of such festivals and ask ‘why celebrate the cruel treatment of another living creature?’  Popular culture really helps us to be better informed citizens and caretakers of our environments.  All opinions are represented and open for discuss in the popular culture perspective, and no one voice dominates the others.

Terese Green-Thomas

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Maine Lobster Festival

For 56 years, the Maine Lobster Festival has been drawing crowds with the promise of sun, fun, and fine food. One visitor would argue that the celebration involves a whole lot more.

 Great introduction.  Even before reading this article, I guessed at what the author wanted to write about. There are many summer festivals that are aimed at attracting vacationers and their discretionary funds whereas locals are main inconvenience by the event.  People are always looking for something to do, and festivals that feature local flair and foods are easy to sell.  But over time festivals have become less of a deal and more problematic. This article explains how the sheer volume of people in attendance creates a chaotic frenzy of a festival, where traffic and long lines and pricey foods punctuate dissatisfaction.   The excitement for this lobster festival may have been the true summer highlight for these coastal Maine towns a long time ago.  But now-a-days the general public’s excessive demand for recreation and food exceeds local enterprises.  The festival takes on a more commercial feel and businesses have to cut back quality of food and service in order to turn a profit.  

 But what about the lobsters?  I found this article alarming in the treatment of lobsters and the stresses of captivity.  It forced me to rethink my own personal belief of boiling lobsters alive.  I should have considered this long before now because I have cooked lobsters and crabs before.  I love the taste of lobster, but this is a feeble excuse for killing a crustacean that can live over a hundred years.  I am thoroughly ashamed for my attitude toward lobster and appreciate how the author took his subject matter seriously and used the facts authoritatively.

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Summary of Wendell Berry articles

I feel better informed about the decline of agricultural farming, the husbandry of domesticated animals, the food industry and about what eating healthy involves.  I was not fully familiar with the context of husbandry that Wendell Berry talks about or its purpose in agriculture.  But as I read through the articles, I found points of interest.  In fact, there were many points of interest in these articles. I appreciated how insightful Berry was to his subject matter, although as an essayist I found some of his writings cumbersome and tricky (not clever).  But I definitely got his point and felt his urgency as I tried hard not to become a disciple.  

 Berry is a dedicated environmentalist with a razor sharp vision.  He is squarely against the food industry and all its propaganda.  I also agree that the food industry is adept at manipulating consumers and I look (albeit struggle) for alternatives that meet my needs holistically, economically, socially etc.  

 Food is a big deal for my family and I.  It is very difficult for us to let down our guard enough to eat outside the home at restaurants, amusement parks, work related events and such.  It is difficult because the thought of eating something you had no control in preparing and cooking leaves you unwilling to eat.  But I am not a farmer.  After reading Berry’s article on ‘The Pleasure of Eating’ this is no excuse for being complacent about the food production.  I realize I need to do more for my local environment and my family.  Berry describes the importance of understanding the connection between eating and the land in order to extract pleasure from food. I no longer want to be a passive, uncritical and dependent victim.  ‘The pleasure of eating then may be the best available standard of our health. And the eating with the fullest pleasure is perhaps the profoundest enactment of our connection with the world,’ says Berry. Great words to think on; ‘Food for Thought’.

 Berry awakens our moral obligation to getting back (giving) to the agricultural farming basics and its time is now.  Efforts must be at once ecological, agricultural, economic, familial, and neighborly, states Berry.  Because to farm is the real source of living within the ecological environment, which extends (requires) an elaborate courtesy toward all creatures, animate and inanimate. Berry further states, that agricultural farming is a never-ending effort of fitting together many diverse things but that this must happen to ensure the survival of the environment.  Berry’s movement would involve an authorizing focus and force that would grant it a new legitimacy, intellectual rigor, scientific respectability, and responsible teaching. Berry hopes that this might be supplied by our colleges of agriculture.  It is a massive order to comprehend and get behind but as things stand currently - a plan of correction is crucial to renew husbandry to the farms and to domesticated animals.  

 I believe in this urgency, but would be surprised if enough people would take up the challenge to learn about agricultural farming.  So much has been lost of this existence.  In addition, the food industries own most of the farm lands.  The soils would require time to regenerate and replenish.  The issues surrounding contaminated water would need to be solved and then the desire for fresh foods would need to be cultivated.  Berry has many strengths to his arguments but I have little hope that societies will return to agricultural farming or husbandry of domesticated livestock.

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Nixon Inspired Project Idea

I appreciate learning about Nobel Prize Winner, Maathia’s “Green Belt Movement” which is very inspiring.  I would develope a proect that addresses multiple platforms also.  The project would campaign for Affordable Housing, Safe Neighborhoods and Ownership Responsibility.  I might call the project, ‘AHSNORA” or “The Real Deal Project”.  The project would seek to restore old homes and apartment buildings in a particular area and sell them without profit,  The homes and apartments could be resold after five year occupany and good neighbor record.  Owners would be required to live within the law as well as their household, to keep the surroundings clean and picked up.  Owners would be required to attend workshops that would keep them informed and knowledgeable.  Over time people would feel more invested in their neighborhoods and themselves.  They would continue to protect their areas and report crime.  This project model would be followed by others and duplicated in areas of need.  

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Long Lasting Effects on the Environment

I learned much by reading Nixon’s  “Slow Voilence and the Environmentalism of Poor” that made me feel vulnerable and unaware.  I felt vulnerable because many environmental hadzards have been forgotten or swept under the rug.  But their effects are still violently killing persons, animals and ruining environments.  I was unaware of how destructive ‘agent orange’ was not to mention how long the effects will be felt.  It is a painful reality of how humans have willingly and stubbornly mistreated the environment.  We are to be stewards of the  natural environments not pirates, not spoilers and not careless violators.  

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Jim Crow

Oops!  I need to correct the word ‘mortally” for morally.

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Jim Crow

I naturally disagree with the Jim Crow laws implemented in the south from 1876 – 1965 to discriminate against its black citizens.  I hate that black Americans had to endure every form of prejudice and hostility to keep them enslaved.  It’s disturbing to read that black Americans were considered mortally and physically contaminated and prohibited from using water fountains that whites used. Jim Crow laws lasted for nearly 100 years.  This type of humiliation and degradation cannot be erased simply by repelling the Jim Crow laws. Almost sixty years later and the effects can still be felt in all corners of the United States not just the southern states where black citizens are thought of as inferior to the other races.

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A Basic Human Right

CLEAN WATER

 Is clean water a basic human right?

Regrettably no. Clean water access has forever been subjected to one demise after another; like warring factions poisoning a water supply, drought and deforestation , lack of education to contaminates,  diseases, sewage pollution, chemical runoff and spills. And the current problem that global warming has on the fresh water supply with the rapid melting of glaciers. By the year 2025 scientists are predicting that one out of five humans will live in regions where there is a scarcity of water. Arguably there doesn’t appear to be a foreseeable end to this crises.

Should water be a basic human right?

Yes clean water should be a secured basic human right.  Clean water is essential to our basic survival.  And clean water supports sustainable growth, vitality and well-being to the body. Every person should be able to access clean water (and clean air to) to thrive in life. ‘Water helps maintain body temperature, blood volume, and body volume. It removes waste from the body, lubricates joints, and protects tissues. Without it, we suffer headaches, constipation, urinary tract infections, bed-wetting, and even death. In contrast with juice and soda, water helps prevent diabetes and obesity. Pediatricians blame dehydration for misbehavior in schools and geriatricians caution elderly patients that sense of thirst diminishes with age,’ cited by Anya Groner ‘ The Politics of Drinking Water, Vital, renewable, and tied to civilization since the beginning of time, water: an Object Lesson’,The Atlantic, December 30, 2014.

The article points out that ‘water enables civilization. It is the magic stuff of life.  Water is a renewable resource, replenished by rain and snowmelt.’ These are very succinct and compelling reasons to continue global efforts for a clean water supply.   

What evidence is offered that persuades?

The systemic health risk associated with exposure to contaminated water like the MCHM chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia in 2014.  And the conflicting health risk that were reports by the local government and the hysteria that ensued at Walmart with the shortage of bottled water.  

 That surprises? 

It surprised me that the local Charleston, West Virginia  government would risk their citizen’s well-being by prematurely lifting a water ban restriction in order to minimize the fallout and save face politically.

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Moments on Nash's view of humans and nature

Nash felt that humans distin the from nature. Nature was essential to mankind as a proving ground.  A place where mankind would discover oneself and refine one's  thinking of purpose and being.

Nash does not give voice to nature's animals.

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Wilderness Image

Wilderness evokes many images in my mind’s eye.  I see images and symbolism of vastness; areas over grown with trees; dense foreboding shadows; screeching echoes; noises; swarms of insects; decaying vegetation; predatory instincts; cruelty; sadness, darkness; wasteland; stunted sunlight; timelessness; grayish; brownish;  green; forgotten smells; unloved animals; scarred vistas; unnatural dwelling.  I imagine there is an uneasiness the binds and permeates within the wilderness.  

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Mary Oliver’s UPSTREAM

“Come with me into the field of sunflowers is a better line than anything you will find here, and the sunflowers themselves far more wonderful than any words about them.” (1)

 “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin. Matthew 6:26 Jesus told his followers not to worry about food, because even the lowly birds are provided for by God.”

 “Butterflies don’t write books, neither do lilies or violets.(2) Which doesn’t mean they don’t know, in their own way, what they are.(3) That they don’t know they are alive—that they don’t feel, that action upon which all consciousness sits, lightly or heavily.“(4)  

 These four sentenced found in Mary Oliver’s Upstream reminded me of Christ Jesus’ sermon to his followings recorded in the Bible book of Matthew chapter 6, verses 25-34.

 Lilies of the field; Christ Jesus’ sermon about how beautiful the lilies are, ‘neither do they work nor toil, worry about having enough to eat, they are simple and were created wonderfully beautiful. The lesson, is to believe that God (Our Heavenly Father and Creator) loves us and will provide for us.  God loves us even more than the vegetation of the earth, which He lovingly created with such simplistic beauty. Whereas, since the creation of the first man and woman, humankind’s existence is far from simple.  And yet the lily or the sunflower can inspire and calm the anxieties associated with being alive and surviving life with the knowledge and reasoning that God considers (loves) His creation, humankind, more than that of the lily or sunflower. Which are provide for and take care of.  And to have no doubts that God will provide for ALL our needs and much more.  I love having a spiritual connection with God, and it brings peace into my life when I look at nature and marvel at his creative hand.

Mary Oliver loves the natural world.  Through her essays, she exposes a connection she has with nature, almost a spiritual connection.  

·        My heart opened, and opened again

·        The sense of going toward the source.

·        Do you think there is anything not attached by its unbreakable cord to everything else? 

·        It lives in my imagination strongly that the black oak is pleased to be a black oak.

  True reflection can begin with the consideration of the natural world and its elements. Why was the lily created with delicate beauty?  What is the purpose of simple beauty to the life of humans?  Does reflection of the natural world and its uncomplicated beauty help balance mankind’s fears? Is beauty essential to a meaningful existence?

 Bible book Matthew, chapter 6, versus 25 thru 34

Jesus Christ is speaking:

“On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious+ about your lives* as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear.+ Does not life*mean more than food and the body than clothing?+ 26  Observe intently the birds of heaven;+ they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? 27  Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit* to his life span?+ 28  Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; 29  but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon+ in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. 30  Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? 31  So never be anxious+ and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’+ 32  For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33  “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.+34  So never be anxious about the next day,+ for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

  Mary Oliver’s major themes resembles a search toward spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment.  She challenges her lives’ meaning through introspection and thoughtful reflections. She seeks inner peace and universal truth.  She defies traditional marriage and has a partner instead.  She’s set upon identifying who she is at her bare essence. Mary is asking all the correct questions, but not truly getting satisfying answers, which result; would halt her sojourn for an abstract truth that she legitimizes and breathes life into.

  Terese Green-Thomas’ review of Mary Oliver’s Upstream

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Thoreau - Economy part 2

Thoreau talks about the economy of basic necessities like, clothing, shelter, food. 

The economy of clothing (people are judged by how they are dressed).  Thoreau goes on and on about the futility and vanity of clothes, although clothes are a necessity. 

“The economy of shelter, Man wanted a home, a place of warmth, or comfort, first of physical warmth, then the warmth of the affections.” I love this expression.

 Food as a necessity, but then so is fuel to heat up (prepare food). 

“instead of studying how to make it worth men’s while to buy my baskets I studied rather how to avoid the necessity of selling them. The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?”  Thoreau tells of a Native Indian trying to sell a homemade basket to well off man.  Man refuses the basket, because he does not want it.  This confuses and frustrates the Native Indian because how is he to become well off if those with the means don’t purchase his baskets?  Those who have the means of a living should by all rights, assist those who don’t so that they all can be well off. 

“My purpose in going to Walden Pond was not to live cheaply nor to live dearly there, but to transact some private business with the fewest obstacles;”  Thoreau has to meet his basic needs, but won’t conform to the every day drudgery and burden of routine of work.  Thoreau pulls a part the economy of living a simply life.

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Blackfish Controversy:  Terese Green-Thomas

I enjoyed watching ‘Blackfish’ because of all the video feeds and eyewitnesses that supported the controversy.  It was a cinematic documentary. I had not heard about this controversy before so I was amazed and shocked that people had been viciously attacked by the trained Orca ‘Tilikum’. And Sea World’s claim that all this could be summed up as ‘trainer’ errors and unfortunate accidents.  When I heard a representative from Sea World blame Dawn B. for her own death that was enough for me. 

I am not convinced by Sea World’s campaign to discredit the film.  Sea World had been asked by filmmakers to comment on ‘Tilikum’s (Orca at the center of these vicious attacks on trainers, the South Carolinian man and other Orcas) erratic behavior and refused to answer public concerns. Sea World had an opportunity to speak to these issues on film but chose to separate itself from this controversy.

 I will not patronize Sea World.  I am against the confining living conditions animals are to inhabit.  I don’t approve of attractions that feature animals, enslaving the animals for decades and force breeding.  This is all so barbaric and cruel.  

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Discussion Topic #2 - Thoreau

What compels Thoreau:  The pursuit of Happiness

I am in awe with Thoreau’s knowledge.  He referenced many different cultural beliefs and historical icons.  He used historical figures and their teachings as a form of collaboration.  I am truly absorbed in his essays and find myself re-reading passages and finding double meanings.  To be honest, I have only gotten through the first five pages of ‘Economy’, (I’m trying to meet today’s 8pm deadline) but feel capable of reflecting on a plethora of gems I find thus far in my reading.  I’m looking forward to delving into the remaining essays and finishing up “Economy”.  

When I was a teenager, I would spend hours reflecting on what life meant and what was my purpose in life.  I would review my concerns over and over again, and question upon question would only bring forth another question.  This consumed my adolescent life at home with my family.  But when I left home for college, this way of thinking no longer interested me.  I simply imitated those around me and pursued knowledge for my head, not for my soul. Thoreau’s intelligence abounds in this essay.  He is able to ask the hard questions knowing he has an answer; albeit his answer.  I have listed some examples below that speak to this:

·        “there are so many keen and subtle masters that enslave both north and south.  It is hard to have a southern overseer; it is worse to have a northern one; but worst of all when you are the slave-driver of yourself.”  Wow, I get this! Life experiences can hollow out a person’s soul and have them to believe their dreams are unsupportable. It takes so much to keep getting up after every fall.  

 ·        “What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather indicates, his fate.  Self-emancipation.”  Don’t give anyone the power to destroy you, don’t destroy yourself with negativity.  Rely in one’s faith and know that the creator of all, loves you, wants you to succeed then persevere.

 ·        “what are the true necessaries and means of life, it appears as if men had deliberately chosen the common mode of living because they preferred it to any other.  Yet they honestly think there is no choice left.  But alert and healthy natures remember that the sun rose clear.  It is never too late to give up our prejudices.” And life experience is a profound teacher of change and making adjustments to carry on.

 ·        “As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.”  I love how succinct this phrase is.  It challenges one to use their time wisely and enjoy the phenomenal wonders in nature and be at peace with oneself with the sure knowledge that your life has purpose and meaning and is valuable to the one known as the alpha and the omega. Eternity is a reality.

 Thoreau’s mention of the ‘poor’ and the ‘portionless’ speaks volumes to me as a woman of color.  I can always align my emotions with those who are disregarded, not worth consideration and rejected.

·        “Some of you, we all know, are poor, find it hard to live, are sometimes, as it were gasping for breath.”

 ·        “Perhaps these pages are more particularly addressed to poor students.  As for the rest of my readers, they will accept such portions as apply to them.”

 Thoreau was an education man, and he does not water down his rhetoric/prose for the sake of uneducated persons.  He refers to:

 ·        William Wilberforce, the British parliamentary grand master of the abolitionist campaign, British politician. As a member of Parliament (1780-1825) he successfully led the campaign for the Slave Trade Act (1807), which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire.

·        Chinese and Sandwich Islanders, Hawaii

·        Bramins, were traditionally responsible for religious rituals in temples, as intermediaries between temple deities and devotees, as well as rite of passage rituals such as celebrating a wedding with hymns and prayers. Theoretically, the Brahmins were the highest ranking of the four social classes. In practice, Indian texts suggest that Brahmins were agriculturalists, warriors, traders and have held a variety of other occupations in India.

·        The twelve Labors of Hercules, The Twelve Labors are a series of archaic episodes connected by a later continuous narrative, concerning a penance carried out by Hercules, the greatest of the Greek heroes.

·        Deucalion and Pyrrha, The story of Noah's ark is not the only flood story in the world: There are many others. The story of Deucalion and Pyrrha is the Greek version.

·        An ‘old book’, the Bible is the oldest book of mankind history

·        Latins ‘aes alienum’, From the Latin aes aliēnum (“another's brass”, “money that belongs to another”).

·        Catechism, a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.

·        Squire Make-a-stir, it is assumed "Squire Make-a-Stir" to be a fictitious or generic character indicating a reasonably powerful man who "makes a stir" - creates some publicity; is well-known, etc.

 Thoreau focused on the holistic being.  He challenged the old and out-of-date constants.  He rallied for the common folk but spoke of change to an enlightened group with the responsibility to teach, lead and govern.  Thoreau saw clearly how man’s thinking got hijacked and led to a dismal existence.

 I got all this and so much more from my brief reading of ‘Economy’, and relish the thought of continuing my probe of Thoreau.

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