Ecofeminism examines issues and topics through a combination of environmental and feminist theories. This movement is intersectional, also considering structures like “classism, racism, sexism, heterosexism, naturism (a term coined by Warren) and speciesism” in its criticisms (Hobgood-Oster 2). This form of analysis holds that the oppression of nature and of women are distinctly connected, both perpetuated by patriarchal domination. Nature is historically and culturally associated with femininity, while women are historically and culturally associated with nature. Therefore, to liberate either, both must be addressed.
I found Warren’s fourth connection, symbolic, the most interesting. As an English major, its interesting to reflect on how present this is in literature, particularly in texts most prominent in the literary canon. Additionally, its interesting to see the simple ways these ideas are apparent in our everyday language. On symbolic connection I became aware of quite recently was the way society largely views cats and dogs and how this correlates with gender. Cats are typically feminized while dogs are masculinized, with the exception of smaller dogs which are also usually feminized. Overwhelmingly, people prefer dogs to cats, as demonstrated in this 2010 poll. This preference is largely the result of preconceived ideas about the behaviors these animal exhibit. While dogs are usually associated with being loving and “man’s best friends,” cats are often seen as suspicious and arrogant. Smaller dogs are also more associated with being “yappy” and pampered, and when thinking of their owners an older woman or the vapid girl stereotype typically comes to mind (i.e. Paris Hilton). It is interesting to see the way animals more closely associated with women are also associated with negative characteristics and the way we gender animals in general.
My cats: thought of as spooky, unlucky, and mean but indeed very sweet, playful, and snuggly.
One issue that can be examined through this lens is the United States Military-Industrial Complex. Recently, several news outlets reported that the defense industry was now primarily run by women, with the majority of the leading contractors having female CEOs (ABC News, Fortune.com). For many, this was cause for celebration and a feat for *feminism.* As stated by Hobgood-Oyster, ecofeminism sees oppression as maintained by systems rather than individuals. Placing women in positions of power within these systems still allows them exist and the oppression people face as a result to continue. Estimates for civilian deaths are typically quite generous and only involve those who die as a direct result of operations like airstrikes, excluding those that are caused by the impact imperialism has on medical supplies and the availability of necessary services and medications abroad, food and water supplies, and the spread of disease. Rich white American women leading the defense industry or ascending ranks in the military does nothing for women being killed abroad.
Additionally, the U.S. military industrial complex is distinctly terrible for the environment. According to a 2017 EcoWatch report, the U.S. military is the greatest perpetrator of environmental pollution and destruction. Imperialism’s goal is domination – not only striving to assert power and control on people and entire cultures, but also over natural resources available in these places, extracted at a rate that is entirely unsustainable.
Ultimately, while many news outlets and people celebrated women now controlling the U.S. military industrial complex, these women are now just a part of this oppressive system and benefiting tremendously from the exploitation of women in the global south and of nature. Overall, “equality” cannot be in the form of woman gaining power in any system that directly contributes to the oppression of other women and nature, as it brings neither closer to liberation.
Works Cited:
Associated Press. In War of Dogs vs. Cats, The Winner is Clear. The Today Show. 17 March 2010. Retrieved from https://www.today.com/news/war-dogs-vs-cats-winner-clear-wbna34746139
Hobgood-Oster, Laura. Ecofeminism: Historic and International Evolution. 18 August 2002.
McLaughlin, Elizabeth. 4 of the top 5 U.S. defense firms to be led by women. ABC News. 13 July 2018. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-us-defense-firms-led-women/story?id=56564622
Warren, Karen J. Warren’s Introduction to Ecofeminism. Retrieved from http://thereitis.org/warrens-introduction-to-ecofeminism/.
Webb, Whitney. U.S. Military Is World’s Biggest Polluter. EcoWatch. 15 May 2017. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/military-largest-polluter-2408760609.html
Wieczner, Jen. Commanders in Chief: The Women Building America’s Military Machine. Fortune. 24 September 2018. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/longform/lockheed-martin-boeing-women-defense-ceos-trump/
Hi Kelsey,
I love how you brought up how people have gendered types of animals. Nowadays, cats are seen as the females pet while dogs are seen as the males pet. It’s ridiculous that people assume if a man has a cat he is no longer masculine or he is sensitive (toxic masculinity) or when people think of small dogs, they only think of women wanting these animals. It’s so frustrating that people are celebrating that women control the U.S. military Industrial complex when it was just as bad when men were running it. How can one say this is feminism when they’re killing others abroad? That goes against everything feminists stand for.
P.S. your cats are adorable!!
-Elizabeth
Kelesy,
Thank you for mentioning small dogs in your blog. I have two small dogs (Shih Tzu and a Chinese Crested). They are falsely labeled as yappy, annoying, and femine. If people who falsely judged them only knew how awesome they were! All animals are special with their own personalities no matter what color or how small they are. I’m sorry if people have labeled your cute cat as evil.
P.S If you see a bunch of comments that are similar to this one in your pending comments, please pick one and ignore the rest. I think my computer was malfunctioning…