VOTING

SO important. let's all vote.

The Power of Speaking Out Against Rape

Western Feminism? What?

the latest:

Martin Sheen, way to be.

so great.

LGBTQ in Vermont and homophobia video

NEW VLOG PROJECT: NUCLEAR POWER!

hi all,
Sarah Gilkerson and I are starting a exciting new project.

check it.

Corn and heat waves!

On Aljazeera today there is a couple minute feature on how 29 states in the U.S. are experiencing drought and how corn crops are being impacted. At one point in the video they feature a politician saying that he is "sending an extra prayer every day for rain." Aljazeera hints that this is really the only thing he can do. Right? WRONG!!!

It's time to start finding creative solutions to these new issues that monocultured corn is starting to create in a world with 391 parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere and growing. This isn't a dry summer, it's a tiny preview of our reality. By tiny I mean, it is going to get worse than this and it's going to get a LOT worse if we don't put an end to our harmful practices now!

Colorado and more

Record temperature highs. Record storms. Record fires. I'm done breaking records. Totally done.

 The Midwest is blazing! Sill want that fourth car?

Students in the U.S., Watch Out!

I would write a rant, but the picture says it all!

I just want to point out that through my travels people all over the world are amazed by how much money we pay for school in the U.S. Priorities people, priorities. We need a earth to live on, food to eat, water to drink, and equal access to education. Does it make it any better if people are dying, in debt, and/or hungry in the U.S. because of our national policies instead of another country's international policy? Come on now people!

Heartbreak in Rio

Wild fires in Colorado. Tornado in Florida. Went to Rhode Island last week and was met by grueling temperatures and dreadful humidity. I hear my hometown has temperatures in the 90s. It's not even July yet. I remember when it wasn't safe to plant before July 4th due to cold nights and frosts. Mild winters and hot summers are happening everywhere. That's just the U.S. too, there have been floods in China, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and a tornado in South Africa just in the last 3 days. THREE. DAYS. (disaster report)

As I posted about before, Rio +20 happened, ending in what is most certainly the most depressing news I have heard in some time. It is so clear to me that the governments do not care about our futures, or even their own, as long as their pockets are still padded with cash. Nothing of substance, as far as I can tell, came out of Rio. Oil subsidies remain and those leaders who even showed up (Obama, of course, not included) took their jets back home. The youth, as expected, stood up for their future and were ignored. The Huffington Post reports that even though over 45,000 people attended, including delegations from 188 countries, 4000 journalists, and 45,000 religious leaders/organization. The NGOs and environmental groups were, of course, present. Nevertheless,  

"The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (aka Rio+20) is concluded in Rio de Janeiro amidst commentary that ranged from utter despair to very tempered hope."

This is disheartening and, in fact, horrifying. If the best part of the conference was youth walking out because they felt their need weren't being met then I can say honestly that I'm pretty disappointed. Some say it's progress that the meeting even happened. I'm sorry, what? Just because we talk about something, if you haven't noticed, doesn't mean it changes. I suppose in the end, I'm not surprised. Global Warming isn't political and we are realizing through things like Rio +20 and Durban that change won't be coming from these meetings, at least not the changes we need. I would very much like to say that we can keep praying for action from the governments of the world, but this is going to have to be one gigantic grassroots movement. I feel like I'm a mother rolling my eyes and saying "fine, I'll do it myself" except I can't. We all will have to work together because obviously those "representing" us won't work for us.

Lastly, there were a lot of Indigenous groups there. Here is a conversation with one! Please watch, it's so important!

Keep on Montana!

I heard today that the supreme Supreme Cort overturned the law in Montana that regulates corporate spending on campaigns. Below is a video made a few months ago to give a little bit of a back story:

This makes me frustrated because not only is the government not doing what the people want, they are also not allowing us to maintain our pre-existing laws that reflect our values. In 2010 the Citizens United allowed unlimited spending by super PACs in elections. Due to this law Montana's law that keep big money out of the government is considered unconstitutional. So, we aren't sure about who can marry or if global warming is "really the most pressing of issues," yet we immediately know that when money can't buy an election IT'S ILLEGAL!? Really U.S.A.? Really?

Here is a link to the coverage that Democracy Now! did on the issue. What really hits me is that Montana seems to get that this isn't a democrat vs. republican issue, it's a human issue. Keep going Montana, I'm proud to call you my home state!

20 Years After Rio

Servern Suzuki!

She is "the girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes" because she gave such an amazing speech twenty years ago (first video). It's interesting to see how she has changed and her views have changed after 20 years of activism. The second video is a little long but please watch it! It's so true and so close to how I feel about Rio +20. I can just be grateful that people like her are there speaking when so many other people, including myself, can't be. Our voices are closer to being heard thanks to her.

She also talks about the "Canadian" identity a lot and I agree with her. I think, though, that no matter what country we are from, as our countries ignore science, reason, and rational thought, our identities and our lives. Think about it.

My Vlog Brother Cursh and Gay Marriage

I love vlogbrothers. They are great. Plus Hank live in MT. Represent! I love Hank's science videos, I love John's hatred of pennies, I just really enjoy them both. Here are their recent videos on gay marriage. Even if you don't agree, please check out their other videos, they are witty, fun, and very intelligent.

I chose to post these two because it is relevant to my life right now- I have started working with a group called Equality Maine. It's an LGBT group and we are working to vote yes for same-sex marriage in Maine.  I'll be posting more on EQME when I get back from my RI trip, but until than, check it out here!

all the best,
Greta

Rio +20

I'm about to drive to Rhode Island, but before I hit the road I want to call every one's attention to something that I hope you attention is already directed to! Rio +20. This is sort of like Durban which I blogged a few months ago, I have a hard time dealing with how political it is! Confronting these issues are nothing less than necessary for us to live; individually, as countries, and a race, and in general as a planet. Something so important should be worth more than policy and debates between countries. It should already be a necessary. Sadly, our foresight has been skewed.

 

Rio +20 basically is a massive meeting of countries to decide how we will continue to live and sustain ourselves and our planet in a world that is rapidly changing. Their website states, "At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet to get to the future we want."

Fun Fact: Governments spend almost 1 trillion dollars of public money on oil subsidies, according to the Huffington Post. If we were to use a fraction of this money to invest in green energy just THINK of the possibilities. Jobs would be created, energy would be greener. We might be able to get below 390 parts per million of CO2 and start heading back toward 350, as McKibben and much of the science world states, is the limit to a safe level of CO2 on the planet. Here are some videos to help you understand how very IMPORTANT this conference is for our future!

I hope that people will take action, pay attention, and that governments will step up to the plate. I really do. Knowing how dependent our current (corrupt) political structures are and the complexity and interconnectedness of food production, oil, water, and CO2 emissions on so many different levels I am doubtful that this conference will bring about the changes we need. The people at the conference may be passionate but the governments represented depend of the current state of environmental destruction to continue as they are now. The changes they will have to make are not ones they are willing to make because they are not the most profitable.

I will be hopefully watching the progress of +20 Rio and I hope you will too, because if these policies are going to be made they need our pressure. One clever blogger from the Human Impacts Institute recorded giving out the Fossil of the World award, the  "Today’s award was given to the United States for the overall strength of their commitment…to not having any real commitments. This fossil recognizes the United States’ (once the considered the only remaining superpower) efforts to delete meaningful commitments from various parts of the negotiation text all through the day yesterday." It seems the U.S. might need a push from us, the people, to remind them that these are lives they are gambling with here, not the big oil bucks.

Thoughts on the Revolutionary War

I haven't been blogging much. Instead, I've been driving across the U.S.A, putting together my portfolio, playing a bit of music, writing, and mostly, being a nanny. Conrad and I have been having a great time going to parks, pools, and bagel shops. We have also traveled through dragons' lairs, fought in the Revolutionary War, and been a part of some epic sea battles, if only in our imaginations. My best friend in all of Maine is six and that is totally fine with me. 


Over the last month of travel and settling in I have had an overwhelming sense of fatigue thanks to my constant mobility. Surrounded by good people, food, and books, however, I can feel my energy returning; behold! Human energy- a renewable resource. I thought I would write a little bit about what has been on my mind the last couple of weeks for the good old blog so here goes!

To say Conrad (the boy I nanny for) is into the Revolutionary War is an understatement. Captain John Paul Jones, George Washington, Benjamen Franklin, Paul Revere, and Thomas Paine are daily, sometimes hourly referenced, in this Bangor home. We also watch Liberty's Kids, a show about the war and the people involved told by 3 kid journalist. As bed time after bed time pass and more and more books are read about the founding of the U.S.A. I have found myself more interested than ever. It has taken me until now to see what and how the U.S. was founded. The number of perspectives are overwhelming. The Native Americans villages that were slaughtered due to some Native Americans aiding the British. The minute men. The academics. The British. The German soldiers (Heshens). The French solderers. The Generals and writers and women. There are so many angles! Like most things, this makes it overwhelming.

One thing that is always emphasised in the literature and movies is the fight for freedom. The way that people were being taxed without being represented. The way that it was farmers, workers that rose up. The way that the Articles of Confederation led to six long years of rebellions after independence. The values that were written into those articles, as well as into the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. When I break down the walls that separate today from the founding of the U.S. I can't help but shutter. Conrad had decided that it would be fun to get George Washington to meet Obama so George Washington could learn how to use a computer. A funny image, but I can't help but think about what George Washington, Thomas Paine, Benjamen Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the thousands of other revolutionaries and fighters would say to our leaders today.

It's uncanny, the parallels between the rights that people fought for then and the ones I fell are threatened now. I read about taxation without representation and I think about how 50% of U.S. citizens believe that we should remove our troops from Afghanistan (Pew Research Center) and yet $159 billion tax dollars went to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (Policy Basics) in 2011. $718 billion was spent on defence, the biggest part of our budget spent in one area. Are we being represented by our government now?

What about freedom of press and speech? The use of the printing press, writings like Thomas Paine's Common Sense, carried our country into existence. Now our media is owned by a handful of wealthy corporations and when independent bloggers or something like Wiki leaks challenges the independent press court cases are endless and acts such as SOPA and NDAA try to get passed.

What about the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness when university drains your pockets and you aren't always able to get a job afterwards? What about being created equal when our institutions, from government to schools to justice systems have discrimination so deeply ingrained in it that those of us who are privileged often don't see it.

I could go on and one. What I mean to say is this: For a long time I have felt ashamed of my country. I haven't always been proud to say in my travels that I am from the good old U.S. of A. I learned about what my country does and has done and it made me ashamed and angry and engaged. Yes, I meant engaged, not enraged, though sometimes it makes me that too.

These emotions haven't gone away but I am realizing that I am, very much, a person with U.S. values. It's just that my country isn't- not anymore. When Conrad jokes about our "founding fathers" discussing computers with the politicians of today I can't help but cringe to think what they WOULD say if they saw the state of this country. I read the cries for rebellion and I hear of injustices that our government is now inflicting on us. I hear the early cries for revolution and I don't see them to be too far off from our cries today.

More thoughts on this to come. Just had to get a rant out- make sure you all know I didn't shrivel up and die or anything. Let me know what you think about this! How different is the U.S. today from the way it was when it was formed? How do we deal with these differences? Which are differences of the times and which are simply violations of our rights?

-g

The Avett Brothers

On my list of bands to see in the next ten years.

Edits!

I have started to post my photo edits, check them out here. I'll post new ones when I make them.

layer me heavier still

Land Rights? What?

Democracy Now has done a show on giving land rights to Native Americans in the Black Hills!!! I can't really say much that the video doesn't say, so just watch!

Boiled

Hey all,
I wrote a poem and people seemed to like it so I am posting it.

Connect the Dots Day

Hey look- it's climate change! It's important! It's our health, our lives, and billions of others' lives too. Look at these videos for a little hope and motivation!

350.org 's video of connect the dots day on May 5th!

Activists talking about their work!

Let Me Teach You About Freedom: The Hidden Privilege and Discrimination in Western Feminism

This is a paper I wrote for my People of Australia class. Though I like having rights as a women I have never been hard core into feminism and this is the first paper I have written on the subject. I learned a ton writing it and hope you learn a ton reading it. It looks at feminism, white privilege, and Indigenous communities.

 -g

Let Me Teach You About Freedom: The Hidden Privilege and Discrimination in Western Feminism

            As a woman feminism had always appeared personal to me. It was been about my rights, my respect, and my beliefs. In writing this paper I have developed not only a deeper understanding of what the buzzword feminism stands for, but also what it leaves out. Throughout this paper I will look largely at theory and case studies. It is a personal paper because it took away the personal for me. I made me realize the complexity of every culture and every belief set that comes with it because, let’s face it, feminism is a cultural belief set.

Defining Western Feminism

            Before we can look at the belief system of feminism and who it excludes we need to examine the word itself. Feminism is commonly and incorrectly perceived as a movement for women and against men. This isn’t the case according to Merriam-Webster which defines it as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” With this understood feminism is a movement people with Western values, especially liberal values, are willing to get behind. This is because it fits with our other cultural values, especially the idea of equal opportunity. The fact that women don’t get paid as much in the work place is unfair; in fact it might be called un-American.

I am not suggesting that the Western ideologies are feminist, in fact it is clear they are not. Women are respected less, paid less, raped more, and often marginalized in Western society. This is, as many a feminist would be happy to point out, because though modern feminism springs from Western values the entire post-modern Western social structure is patriarchal. This puts the Western world between a rock and a hard place. Feminism is demanding equal rights from a system that is patriarchal, hence dependent on the discrimination that inequality produces. Its dependence on uneven power relationships causes feminism to often be labeled as an extremist group because it challenges those relationships.

             When examining feminism in a broader context, however, a plethora of new questions arise. Possibly the most important of these question is if feminism is a Western concept, why don’t we call it Western feminism? What about white feminism? There has been research done in areas such as black feminism, Indigenous feminism, and queer feminism as well as in feminism but it is rarely examined as white or western feminism. It is in something as simple as the name of the ideology that we first observe the power relations within the movements of feminism.

            One could argue that feminism is a blanket term describing all feminism and movements such as Indigenous feminism are sub-categories that fall beneath feminism. Again, the power relation is in the wording. This assumes that Western, white feminism is the “right” feminism and that if other, marginalized groups should care to join their movement they could do so under feminist theory, that is by adopting and contextualizing Western feminism. It assumes that marginalized communities are culturally oppressed, ignorant of women’s rights. Western feminism provides them a way out. In many ways as the world and hence the feminism movement has globalized feminism has become a crusade, a missionary project, a school lesson where the students just take notes.

The rest of this paper will attempt to show how Western feminism is being used in a way that does not acknowledge white privilege, cultural differences, and Indigenous knowledge, especially in the context of Australian Indigenous communities. This does not imply that women around the world cannot benefit from feminist. As Marlene Elizabeth McKay highlights in her thesis of Indigenous feminism in Canada, through the process of colonization patriarchy has become a part of Indigenous communities (McKay, 2005). In Australia not only political and education systems have been changed but pieces of post-colonial culture have become a part of Indigenous culture. Diane Bell recorded during her time in an Australian Aboriginal reserve that “Alcohol was invariably the immediate cause of the feared violence but the women also recognized the deeper causes.” (Bell, 2002, 23).

These underlying issues and deeper causes are results of colonialism and patriarchal thinking because, as we will later see, Australian Indigenous people held respect for both sexes. Though aspects of Western feminism could be helpful in the process of re-empowerment its colonial nature excludes marginalized women and ignores positions of privilege. Furthermore, if Western feminist were willing to learn from other communities around the world not only would feminism be a more relatable concept, it would be a more productive one.

Feminism as a Part of Indigenous Australian Culture           

            I recently had the privilege of attending a weeklong Bush camp in Widjabul country two hours outside of Lismore in NSW, Australia. One early morning over coffee, Roy Gordon, one of the men facilitating the camp, told me something that stuck: “Women are boss, women are law.” When I asked him what the men’s roll was he simply replied, “ Men’s role is to teach their children that the women are law.” (Gordon, 2012). This conversation was my first hint that gender roles were significantly different in this Aboriginal community.

One night some of the younger men at camp consumed alcohol and caused a disturbance in the camp, shaking tents and waking up a few of the girls until early in the morning. The next morning I was annoyed but mostly relieved that “nothing happened.” Little did I know that only in my Western mindset was what happened “nothing.” The Aunties, the elder women who as Roy explained, are the law, were informed of what had happened and the boys were forced to leave the camp. The Aunties lead a healing circle with all the women in camp. The situation was taken with complete seriousness and the boys were not allowed to come back not just our, but to any bush camp.

            Though Indigenous cultures throughout Australia are varied and distinct the concept of men’s business and women’s business is a common thread throughout. Traditionally and today gender roles between men and women (though curiously not acknowledging other genders) are distinct. As Diane Bell observed when living on a reserve, women and men’s tasks within the community were often separate. This was especially true in the duty of teaching her which the women took on, but had deep respect for each other. She argues that “Women and men do know much of each other’s ritual business but it is not for public discussion or acknowledgement.” (Bell, 2002, 36) and goes onto explain that just because men and women do not have the same responsibilities doesn’t mean one is better.

            In Western thought, separation automatically excludes a party. By separating men from women Western feminist often argue that women are still being oppressed and excluded because a patriarchal hierarchy exists in the Western world. This is not true in all cultures and as we see above. In fact, the separation of genders within the Aboriginal culture allows for women and men to be self-sufficient if necessary but a smoothly functioning if not. When I asked Roy if I could hunt he unexpectedly responded that of course I could, that “… all our women are taught how to hunt. We don’t want you to be dependent on some man…” (Gordon, 2012). 

Bell backs this statement up by pointing out that ““In Aboriginal society women of importance are capable, not dependent.” (Belle, 2002, 26) and that

“The role they (Aboriginal women) wished to see recognized was not one of dependence or subjection as wives and mothers but a role of independence, responsibility, dignity, and authority wherein they were enhanced as women, as member of their society, as daughter of the dreaming. They did not wish to see their solidarity as women further undermined.” (Bell, 2002, 32).

                 What is the force that might undermine the women’s solidarity? Among other forces is Western feminism. As the above examples show women have a powerful role in Indigenous Australian cultures that we can see if we remove our Western belief that separation means exclusion. This being acknowledged one could say the treatment of women in Indigenous society with traditional Indigenous values is more respectful and equal than is Western society.

                 As one Aboriginal women in observes, “It is considered “white fella law” to safeguard only men’s secrets. (Bell, 2012, 31) and as Bell goes on to explain “The desire of what they (Aboriginal women) looked to be ‘women’s liberationists’ in my culture (Western culture) to break down sex-role stereotyping to achieve social equality with men was viewed as yet another cross which white women had to bear. They often sympathized with the lot of a white wife or mother….” (Bell, 2012, 32).

The Colonial Nature of Western Feminism

                 Many Indigenous women, as a result of the “I’m right your wrong” binary that often accompanies Western feminism, reject feminism. One reason is that Western feminism does not acknowledge other cultural values and instead requires women to comply with the concepts of Western feminism. In many ways this is comparable to missionaries creating missions simply because it is the imposition of one belief system on the other.

                 As we see with Western feminist opinions of clitoridectomy in North Africa and gender equality in the Australia, the moral code instilled by democratic processes, concepts of fairness, and concepts of freedom comes before the cultural context. It is not that these practices are inherently right or wrong but that they are too often labeled as wrong before being understood.

                 As many Indigenous activists point out “the white women’s movement is both irrelevant to and in conflict with the particular aims of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.” (Wilson, 1996, 2). Until Western feminism is able to shift and open its perceptions of feminism, Indigenous women will not be able to fully identify with feminism because it does not acknowledge them as members unless they comply with its current beliefs, much like a church won’t acknowledge members without conversion. 

                 To move away from Australia for a moment, when living in Thailand I had the privilege of being taught by Kannaporn Akarapisan (Pam), a Muslim feminist who as a child wasn’t too scared to beat up boys who made fun of her hijab. She shared with us stories of Western feminists meeting with her and informing her she did not need to be oppressed by her religion. She could take off her hijab if she wished! They often encourage her to break away from the “dependency on men” her religion ‘creates.’ Her response was that she didn’t see how wearing her hijab, allowing herself to only be seen by her husband, was any more oppressive than putting on make up. She pointed out that in Western makeup is a requirement for being beautiful. She couldn’t understand how women who work to be superficially attractive every day felt she was oppressed (Akarapisan, 2011).

                 This example is important because it shows how, though we may not see it at first, as Western feminists we still function under certain rules and have certain behaviors associated with genders. Even if we reject the male-female binary we still do so in part by changing our appearance to contradict or comply with the stereotypical appearance associated with a gender. We are not exempt from having cultural practices simply because we are currently a dominant culture and furthermore those cultural practices are not inherently correct.

                 Returning to Australia we see many examples of another main reason that Western feminism is rejected by Indigenous women; it does not acknowledge the Western women’s privilege over the Indigenous women. “White feminists have not recognized or challenged the implications of racism or the historical and political discrimination that Koori women face... That is why many Koori tiddas (sisters) view feminism as simply another White politically controlled institution, established to benefit White women, first and foremost.” (Felton and Flanagan, 1993, 55)

                 As some may be quick to point out Indigenous women are being included more and more in feminist discussions. Though this is a positive step some women feel that it is irrelevant. In Bronwyn Fredericks essay “Repowering Ourselves: Australian Aboriginal Women,” she argues that in feminist discussions she is considered a heirloom not a valued voice in the feminist community. According to her Indigenous women are often asked to speak of “pretty business” (culture, customs, beliefs) but, as she puts it,  “they want us but not our opinions.” (Fredricks, 2010). Whether this is true or not, which undoubtedly varies from case to case, Indigenous women often feel marginalized, rejected, or ignored in the Western feminist discourse.

                 Tikka Jan Wilson’s paper on her experience exemplifies another main, unacknowledged issue between Indigenous women and Western feminists. During a work in a clinic for abused women Wilson observed the conflict that ensued when two Aboriginal women were hired to work with the clinic. Both women ended up being fired or quitting because, as the White women saw it the women were not doing their jobs right and as the Aboriginal women saw it they were being discriminated against due to race.

                 Now the clinic views the Aboriginal community as lazy and the Aboriginal community views the clinic as racist. The Aboriginal women felt they were not trained properly because they were only given the same training as the other workers. Wilson points out that, again, in Western thought different means lower but as we have seen in Aboriginal society this isn’t the case. The Aboriginal women felt that the women at the clinic did not acknowledge their white privilege or work to change it. Hiring and firing decisions were made by the democratic system of voting so Aboriginal women were outnumbered in any decision.

                 Wilson highlights what might be the most important barrier to break down if we as Western feminists wish to genuinely include Indigenous thought in feminism. She states “While (violence towards women) was and is a significant aspect of racist colonial violence, it tends to high-light the commonality of Aboriginal and white women both suffering sexual violence at the hands of white men, while it erases the racial violence of white women towards Aboriginal women(and men)” (Wilson, 1996, 10).

                 White women did play a role in the oppression of both Indigenous women and men. They were often owners of Indigenous workers, schoolteachers, workers on religious reserves, and later government workers who took Indigenous children from their families. These roles are just as harmful as dispossession and genocide. The “education” and “Christianization” of Indigenous people has had a profound, lasting effect on communities.

                 Because Western feminists see that Indigenous women have been and remain oppressed by white men Western feminists a unifying commonality. In making this connection, however, Western feminists exclude their role in colonization, assimilation, and loss of culture. It is understandable, then, that Indigenous women do not feel that White feminists have a right or inherent role in the re-empowering of women, especially when traditionally Aboriginal culture did not have the extreme violence and inequality we see towards women in all cultures today.

Globalizing Feminism?

                 As this essay has shown, Australian Indigenous values do not oppress women but in fact empower them through a balance of inclusion and respectful separation of genders. In some ways women’s Indigenous roles contradict Western feminism because Western feminism often maintains a colonial attitude and as a result Indigenous women often do not feel they have a place in Western feminism.         One may think that it is impossible for Western feminism to become a part  of Indigenous belief systems and if Western feminism continues to focus only on what they dub “women’s issues” (rape, abuse, gender discrimination) without acknowledging White privilege, cultural beliefs, and alternative thought then I agree. I also believe that, though feminism may be used as a tool in dealing with the patriarchic practices and systems colonialism has brought into Indigenous communities, it is not the end-all be-all that will provide equality for Indigenous women.

                 In her essay “Globalizing Feminist Ethics,” Alison Jaggar theorizes that, “Paradoxically… the same features that enable small moral communities to liberate the thinking of their members often simultaneously operate to limit that thinking.” (Jaggar, 1998, 14, emphasis added). We can see exactly this arising in Western feminism. The Western feminist community, a marginalized group in Western culture, are able to think freely within their community but to do this they must exclude the other. The other, one may expect to be the patriarchic male, but in fact it is anyone that opposes Western feminist values of equality, non-discrimination, democratic decision-making, and liberation. As a result the movement is discriminatory, unequal, and undemocratic because it excludes anyone who does not share these values.

                 If we as Western feminists are able to look potential flaws in our belief systems and consider concepts from other cultures as viable ways of empowerment for women we might be able to reach a form of Indigenous feminism. Often after meeting with Western feminists I feel motivated but in a oppressed, angry, and resentful way. But after meeting and spending time with Indigenous women I was motivated, confident and empowered. Obviously women have power in Indigenous communities, but unlike within Western feminism men are not criticized and the system does not have to be restructured for women to feel powerful.

                 Patriarchal systems have been globalized and now feminism is trying to do the same but I suggest that, before continuing onward, we look back at the cultures that still maintain systems that don’t oppress women and learn from them. Though we can’t and maybe even don’t want to go back in time we can by understanding functioning systems reform our own.

                 In Australia “White” inhabitants have been present for less than 250 years where as Indigenous Australians have lived in Australia for at least 60,000 years. If we are seeking to create societies where women are not marginalized, ignored, and abuse based on their gender why wouldn’t we take from the examples that still exist today? Of course in our modern world reverting back to “the old ways of life” will not work- I do not foresee every culture in the world separating gender roles just as I do not see every culture accepting Western feminist thought.

                 I suggest instead that we adopt the practices that still work and open the conversation to everyone trying to participate. Think of it as a sharing circle. Though not everyone has the same religion, morals, or background, the goal isn’t to make it so. The goal is to discuss, think, create, and empower with acknowledgment of privilege, racism, and other forms of discrimination. This is the direction feminism must take if we as feminists want to achieve a sense of community that is inclusive, productive, and useful.

Work Cited List

Akarapisan, Kannaporn. "Women, Religion, and Thailand." The Institute of Religion, Culture, and Peace, PAYAP University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 10 Nov 2011. Lecture.

Bell, Diane. Daughters of the Dreaming. 3rd ed. Spinifex Press, July 2002.

Felton, Catrina, and Liz Flanagan. Institutionalized Feminism: A Tidda's Perspective. Sydney: 199

Fredericks, Bronwyn. "Re-empowering Ourselves: Australian Aboriginal Women." Signs. 35.3 (2010): 546-550

Gordon, Roy. Personal Interview. 08 Apr 2012.

Jaggar, Alison M. "Globalizing Feminist Ethics." Hypatia. 13.2 (1998): 7-31.

McKay, Marlene Elizabeth. Engaging Feminism: A Pedagogy for Aboriginal Peoples. MA thesis. University of Saskatchewan, 2005

Wilson, Tikka Jan. "Feminism and Institutionalized Racism: Inclusion and Exclusion at an Australian Feminist Refuge." Feminist Review. 52. (1996): 1-26.

The End of Australia

Hello all,
I know I haven't been posting a ton but I thought I'd put up some photos from my last two weeks in Australia. The last picture was taken close to Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. The rest were taken in Katoomba, a small mountain town it the Blue Mountains. I loved it here, great people, great hikes, amazing hostel. If you ever get the chance to go make sure you stay at The Flying Fox.

That's all for now folks- I'm off to the East coast in three days.
-g

For The Next Seven Generations

During the Bushcamp I participated in in Australia I was lucky enough to learn many things- one of these things was the importance and law of the elders. Roy, a man who helped run bushcamp explained to me that "the women are law" This statement came to life later in the week as we got a chance to meet with the Aunties and talk with them.

The importance of elders and children in our current, Western, modern society is minimal and this is a tragedy. As one author suggested we are in a constant state of adolescents, rebelling against the old, traditional, and authoritative. Now this rebellion is complex and, I'd be the first to admit, in some cases totally justified. Nevertheless we seem to be leaving the words of our elders and the futures of our children (and of ourselves) to the dogs so we can "grow" and "progress." Life isn't a uphill battle, though, and whoever thinks it is must be pretty tiered by the time he or she hits forty.

Check out this movie, hopefully there are some places that have it in Bozeman so I can watch it too! It's about Indigenous grandmothers from all over the world who have come together. I love the title, For The Next 7 Generations. It reminds me of something another man at bushcamp, Anthony, told me- "We live making sure that seven generations from now people will be able to live well." You think we could handle what, 30 years in advance?

Anyways, here's the trailer. SO excited.

The Beauty of Pollination

Check this really well made and beautiful video out!

Bozeman Happenings!

Heya! Here are three activism-y things going on in Bozeman when I'm here- if anyone from Bozeman wants to join me I'll be there!

The first thing is on May 3 and it's a presentation by Defenders of Wildlife- I hear there are treats involved and it will discuss the Defenders' work and what we can do to help! It's from 5:30 to 6:30 but I think there is some stuff going on after as well. I can't find the link to it (I deleted the email) but it looks cool.

On May 5th there is an amazing showing of four short TRUST films, live music, food, and talks at the emerson. 350.org (Bill Mckibben and others' organization) has dubbed May 5th the day to connect the dots- a day to piece together all of the "natural" disasters and show people what is happening and will continue to happen to the earth if we don't change. I'm really excited about this one- it's at 6:30. here is the link!
http://act.climatedots.org/event/impacts_en/2602/signup/?akid=&zip=59715&source=0#

Then there is David Cobb on May 7. He was a green party canidate who is now touring the U.S. with a group called move to amend which is the leading group patitioning to remove corprate personhood from the constitution. It's at the labor temple from 6-8 pm. here is the link:
http://movetoamend.org/events/bozeman-mt-move-amend-barnstorming-tour-david-cobb-creating-democracy-and-challenging

Franke Wilmer

Yeee Montana! Franke Wilmer thanks for listening!

Montana

I am doing a project about the natural environment and how people are connected to it and came across this. I'm excited to see you Montana!

MONTANA: Shaped by Nature from Montana Office of Tourism on Vimeo.

Garry Foley Video

This is a great video of Garry Foley talking about what it means to be an Aboriginal activist in Australia. He starts the conversation of how do I, a person who profits from injustice no matter if I want to or not, act to change the system. Look at myself, look local- that's a place to start.

99% Spring

This is why I'm excited. I know there are issues with Occupy- there will always be issues and room for debate on big things like these but the bottom line is this is powerful. The chilly winter months may have put a bit of a damper on Occupy physically but the fire is still burning- brighter and stronger than ever. Here is a quick summery from The Guardian. For some reason I can't embed the video so here is the link.

From the Mayday general strike to the July 4th protests things are going to get LOUD!
As one of my friends recently said in an email, it's a good summer to get involved in activism- in fact I can't think of a better one!

Global Warming and May 5th

Hello everyone,
I know I've been off the blog for a bit but I'm back! I feel totally overwhelmed by all the things I could post about, but I thought I'd start with this: 350.org and May 5th action!

I don't know how to start describe the importance of the environment or how we are negatively impacting the planet. We need the earth for food, shelter, water, in fact without it we would not be alive. Not only that but we need a world that had weather that will allow us to live on it. This is hard when floods are increasing with sea levels, CO2 emissions are till rocketing, the oceans are being more acidic, our oxygen-producing forests are being turned into cutting boards at alarming rates, and droughts and fires are becoming more and more welcome. How can we plant our crops when there is no predictable weather pattern? How can we build our houses for our families when we don't know if we will be under water in three months or out of water all together? Even if we do have water, it may just be flammable! (gasland) Our world is changing- it already has.

Now, Bill McKibben is a probably one of the best known environmentalists and he has been writing and speaking out for our good old earth for quite some time. He has written loads of books, most recent and horrifyingly important being Eaarth, a book about how global warming has already impacted and continues to impact our lives in irreversible and uncontrollable ways. He is one of the amazing team that make up 350.org, a website dedicated to environmental activism and education.

First, please read Eaarth- I can't think of anything you could read that is more important than this book.

Second please check out 350.org. Below is a video that McKibben put up about fighting the government on oil subsidies.

Finally, the title of this post- as you may see on 350.org, has to do with what is happening on May 5th. On May 5th people are rising up, connecting the dots, and speaking out against the coal and oil industry. This video says it all.

Here is a petition to sign if you are interested. Stay active, stay aware, stay informed. 350.org is also a part of the 99% spring- it's going to be a big summer for us all!

Without an earth to live on that we CAN live on not much else matter- it's not political, it's not hippie, it's not something to be ignored!

Connection to the Natural Environment!

Here is a video Nature, Cristy and I made for my natural environment class!
Enjoy!

The Shins

Have a new album called Port of Morrow and all the songs are magggicccalll. This one I love because it's so much a part of my life right now but they are all good.

Check it!

-g

I'm still alive!

Hello troops!
I know my blog has been suffering lately- not having internet access+heaps of work= little blogging. It's ironic because every class I have is worthy of a blog post- interesting, important, and relevant. Ah, such is life. I can say that I'll be blogging more when I get back to the U.S. which is on April 25th! (well 24th, Bozeman on the 25th!) So I'll be seeing some of you lovely people in a little more than a month and for that I am excited! I'll also be making a long drive from Bozeman to Maine so I'll be seeing some of you that are farther from good old MT as well!

As for now, I am writing papers, doing presentations, reading, and on occasion sleeping. And making Thai curry. Yesterday I did some bush regeneration work for class and learned about the importance and complexity of bringing back the environment once it has been removed. Two other students and I are creating a sustainable community as a part of our final. It's exciting but a lot of work budgeting roads and houses, figuring out water and sewage, getting the energy sustainable, turning a profit, and so much more! Good experience and it feels good to apply some of the knowledge I have been accumulating. I am also writing about Aboriginal education systems and doing another paper on modern rights of passage especially in surf culture. SO that's a little of what I'm up to.


Here are some photographs from my last camping trip!
enjoy and have a lovely day!
g

figured I should post a picture of Olivea seeing as I have lived with her for almost 2 years... plus Kelly is priceless

Camping Trip!

Hi guys,
Don't have a ton of time but here are some photos from our last camping trip! It was great fun and we have another one next weekend.

lot's of love always!
-g