Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 29, 2010
Activism Log 10
• Activism
In the past week and a half, I have been preparing for the presentation for this assignment. I took some time to think about what we, as a group, accomplished by participating in this service learning project. So many animals, and people, are going to be affected by the support we provided. Helping others is what it is all about.
• Reflection
Aurora Morales’ article, Radical Pleasure, Sex and the end of victim hood, discusses reclaiming sex, the issue of victim hood, and the topic of abuse. Some victims may escape their victimizer, but some may not. Some may escape in body, but may be emotionally attached to the events that occurred for their entire lives. “Victim-hood absolves us from having to decide to have good lives. It allows us to stay small and wounded instead of spacious, powerful and whole” (384). By becoming empowered, these women who are being abused are putting a stop to the cycle. They are changing the system by leaving, by finding help for not only themselves, but also for their pets.
• Reciprocity
I feel very satisfied with the outcome of this project. I made some friends, I helped some people and animals, and best of all … I feel accomplished.
Work Cited
Morales, Aurora. Radical Pleasure, Sex and the end of victim hood. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 384. Print.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Activism Log 9
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 18, 2010
Activism Log 9
• Activism
This week was about meeting with Arielle to hand over more donations. I personally drove and met her to drop them off. I also volunteered to bring the hour log forms to her because she said she preferred if just one of us went. I also went to the venue to thank them once again for all the hard for they did for us.
• Reflection
Recently, while reading Sandra Steinbraber’s article, Rose Moon, I was stuck by the phrase “In ignorance, abstain” (550). Voltaire seemed to have a unique grasp on life. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just whole heartedly abstain from things we were ignorant about? But then I wouldn’t have been able to help all these women, men and animals in need. I did not think of taking this class until the last minute, I did not know which project to choose to I went to animals because I have a cat … and now, I have helped in some way. So yes in ignorance, one should abstain, if the choice is dangerous.
• Reciprocity
Overall, I feel like the mission has been accomplished. Now we have to prepare for our presentation. I am excited to share with the class the success of our project and how much work we put into this. We had the event two weeks before the end of the semester on purpose, so we would have time to hand over the donations and to prepare for the end of the semester.
Work Cited
Steingraber, Sandra. Rose Moon. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 549-558. Print.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 18, 2010
Activism Log 9
• Activism
This week was about meeting with Arielle to hand over more donations. I personally drove and met her to drop them off. I also volunteered to bring the hour log forms to her because she said she preferred if just one of us went. I also went to the venue to thank them once again for all the hard for they did for us.
• Reflection
Recently, while reading Sandra Steinbraber’s article, Rose Moon, I was stuck by the phrase “In ignorance, abstain” (550). Voltaire seemed to have a unique grasp on life. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just whole heartedly abstain from things we were ignorant about? But then I wouldn’t have been able to help all these women, men and animals in need. I did not think of taking this class until the last minute, I did not know which project to choose to I went to animals because I have a cat … and now, I have helped in some way. So yes in ignorance, one should abstain, if the choice is dangerous.
• Reciprocity
Overall, I feel like the mission has been accomplished. Now we have to prepare for our presentation. I am excited to share with the class the success of our project and how much work we put into this. We had the event two weeks before the end of the semester on purpose, so we would have time to hand over the donations and to prepare for the end of the semester.
Work Cited
Steingraber, Sandra. Rose Moon. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 549-558. Print.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Activism Log 8
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 11, 2010
Activism Log 8
• Activism
Well, this week was our event. All the flyering, hard work and donation collecting has paid off. Although we did not get the turn out we had hoped for, I was proud of the donations we collected. We made a list of all those who attended the event, and of all those who donated before the event. I have been communicating with Arielle a lot this week. I met her to hand over the donations. The amount of donations was overwhelming to Arielle. They filled her car.
• Reflection
According to chapter 11 of our text Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives, which talks about environmental injustice, people have civil rights. As the text states, “under which [civil rights] all citizens have a right to healthy living and working conditions” (Women and the Environment, 541). People may have the civil right to healthy living conditions but what about living conditions? I cannot help but to think of all those who we are not helping. Pets going hungry, women being unable to leave a desperate situation, and the alternatives to all of these situations.
• Reciprocity
Although we all put a lot into this project, I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of the event. I did everything I could to ensure its success. I have enjoyed talking to Arielle. I was proud when I saw how happy she was with the success of our project. It feels great to help. To be a part of something bigger than I, bigger than any of the six of us are. This project has left me feeling quite accomplished.
Work Cited
Women and the Environment. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 535-548. Print.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 11, 2010
Activism Log 8
• Activism
Well, this week was our event. All the flyering, hard work and donation collecting has paid off. Although we did not get the turn out we had hoped for, I was proud of the donations we collected. We made a list of all those who attended the event, and of all those who donated before the event. I have been communicating with Arielle a lot this week. I met her to hand over the donations. The amount of donations was overwhelming to Arielle. They filled her car.
• Reflection
According to chapter 11 of our text Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives, which talks about environmental injustice, people have civil rights. As the text states, “under which [civil rights] all citizens have a right to healthy living and working conditions” (Women and the Environment, 541). People may have the civil right to healthy living conditions but what about living conditions? I cannot help but to think of all those who we are not helping. Pets going hungry, women being unable to leave a desperate situation, and the alternatives to all of these situations.
• Reciprocity
Although we all put a lot into this project, I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of the event. I did everything I could to ensure its success. I have enjoyed talking to Arielle. I was proud when I saw how happy she was with the success of our project. It feels great to help. To be a part of something bigger than I, bigger than any of the six of us are. This project has left me feeling quite accomplished.
Work Cited
Women and the Environment. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 535-548. Print.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ecofeminism
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 14, 2010
Erin Brockovich: An Ecofeminist Barbie?
The film, Erin Brockovich, is the dramatic and true story of the largest class action lawsuit in American history. This movie is set in Hinkley, California, which was almost overrun by the corporation PG&E. Erin Brockovich contains important reoccurring themes. These themes include unemployment, single parent families, and the environment. The main character in Erin Brockovich, of course, is Erin herself. Erin possesses many stereotypes, which are depicted throughout the film
Erin is an ecofeminist. This may just be my opinion though. I wonder how feminist feel about Erin, her efforts and her accomplishments. Erin is an active participant in ecofeminism. She did not pursue these efforts because she proclaimed to be a feminist. She did not pursue these efforts for the monetary gain. She pursued these efforts because she, as a mother, a woman and a resident of a local community, was concerned for the well being of the citizens of Hinkley. Erin’s efforts are hindered because she is treated as a stereotype. She is seen as a large breasted, blonde when in fact she is a divorced, strong, independent, hard working mother. Erin uses these stereotypes to her advantage throughout the movie. She was intelligent enough to know her sexuality would benefit her search. This is why I previously wondered how feminist would view Erin.
While working for the law firm of Ed Masry, Erin discovered PG&E was in the process of quietly buying land where they had been secretly dumping hexavalent chromium on. Erin suspects the poison was knowingly dumped into the local community leading to the illnesses of dozens of people. This suspicion leads her to seek out water records. Erin blatantly uses her sexuality at this time to obtain the records. As our text states, “…environmental justice draw[s] on concepts of civil rights, under which all citizens have a right to a healthy living…” (541). Erin pursued her challenge not because it was easy, but because it was just. This town was portrayed in the movie to be lower class and Caucasian. There was no racial, sexist or political venture at stake. It was just easier for PG&E to dump the toxic waste and then buy the land they had contaminated.
As Sandra Steingraber states in her article Rose Moon, “...certain persistent toxic substances impair intellectual capacity, change behavior…and compromise reproductive capacity” (551). If nature is a natural thing, then so is death. If human beings create situations or devices that cause disease and death, then humans are taking on the role of God. Death should be a natural thing and in this situation, there is nothing natural about how these people are being condemned for not questioning the big business next door. Their civil rights were shattered when this big business was allowed to corrupt their lives, inside and out.
This purpose of this movie is a political one. I cannot address if the purpose is also a feminist one, but it certainly accomplishes this task. The private and the public are being forced to merge because of the actions of Erin Brockovich. No matter whom the woman Erin Brockovich is, her strides benefited countless numbers of people in Hinkley and her story impressed the world when it was made into a major motion picture. But most importantly, this story opened the eyes to people about the subject of ecofeminism and how every person can play a role in this system.
(words: 567)
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Enviroment. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 535-548. Print.
Steingraber, Sandra. Rose Moon. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 549-557. Print.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 14, 2010
Erin Brockovich: An Ecofeminist Barbie?
The film, Erin Brockovich, is the dramatic and true story of the largest class action lawsuit in American history. This movie is set in Hinkley, California, which was almost overrun by the corporation PG&E. Erin Brockovich contains important reoccurring themes. These themes include unemployment, single parent families, and the environment. The main character in Erin Brockovich, of course, is Erin herself. Erin possesses many stereotypes, which are depicted throughout the film
Erin is an ecofeminist. This may just be my opinion though. I wonder how feminist feel about Erin, her efforts and her accomplishments. Erin is an active participant in ecofeminism. She did not pursue these efforts because she proclaimed to be a feminist. She did not pursue these efforts for the monetary gain. She pursued these efforts because she, as a mother, a woman and a resident of a local community, was concerned for the well being of the citizens of Hinkley. Erin’s efforts are hindered because she is treated as a stereotype. She is seen as a large breasted, blonde when in fact she is a divorced, strong, independent, hard working mother. Erin uses these stereotypes to her advantage throughout the movie. She was intelligent enough to know her sexuality would benefit her search. This is why I previously wondered how feminist would view Erin.
While working for the law firm of Ed Masry, Erin discovered PG&E was in the process of quietly buying land where they had been secretly dumping hexavalent chromium on. Erin suspects the poison was knowingly dumped into the local community leading to the illnesses of dozens of people. This suspicion leads her to seek out water records. Erin blatantly uses her sexuality at this time to obtain the records. As our text states, “…environmental justice draw[s] on concepts of civil rights, under which all citizens have a right to a healthy living…” (541). Erin pursued her challenge not because it was easy, but because it was just. This town was portrayed in the movie to be lower class and Caucasian. There was no racial, sexist or political venture at stake. It was just easier for PG&E to dump the toxic waste and then buy the land they had contaminated.
As Sandra Steingraber states in her article Rose Moon, “...certain persistent toxic substances impair intellectual capacity, change behavior…and compromise reproductive capacity” (551). If nature is a natural thing, then so is death. If human beings create situations or devices that cause disease and death, then humans are taking on the role of God. Death should be a natural thing and in this situation, there is nothing natural about how these people are being condemned for not questioning the big business next door. Their civil rights were shattered when this big business was allowed to corrupt their lives, inside and out.
This purpose of this movie is a political one. I cannot address if the purpose is also a feminist one, but it certainly accomplishes this task. The private and the public are being forced to merge because of the actions of Erin Brockovich. No matter whom the woman Erin Brockovich is, her strides benefited countless numbers of people in Hinkley and her story impressed the world when it was made into a major motion picture. But most importantly, this story opened the eyes to people about the subject of ecofeminism and how every person can play a role in this system.
(words: 567)
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Enviroment. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 535-548. Print.
Steingraber, Sandra. Rose Moon. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 549-557. Print.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Personal Narrative Blog
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Personal Narrative Blog
Riverbend is a woman who blogs about her life in Iraq during the U.S. occupation. Riverbend is a courageous woman. A woman who chose to share her story and to tell the world what life for an ordinary Iraqi citizen (let alone female) is really like. It would be nearly impossible for someone like me to understand what life would be like in a war-torn country. Especially since I consider myself to be extremely lucky to live the life I was given.
In her blog, Christmas in Baghdad, dated December 26, 2003, she discusses a typical Christmas in Iraq. Also discussed is how Christmas is celebrated during the U.S. occupation in Iraq. Riverbend speaks of her Christian friends and how they normally spend Christmas. This year, no Christians living in Iraq wanted to draw attention to them by decorating. People were too scared to drive to mass at night. She also discusses the traditional Santa Claus and how he is depicted in Iraqi culture. She discusses how Christmas was not typical in 2003 because of the sirens, gunshots, bombs, and planes. In chapter ten of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, women in the military is discussed. “Perhaps one of the most far-reaching effects of war is the normalization of violence in everyday life…” (504). This is a true statement because Riverbend states in her blog that she expects the sirens, she knows if the gun fire is “theirs” or “us”, she expects the war because it is what she has grown to accept.
The narrative gives great insight into Iraqi culture, food and customs. Most of the information provided by Riverbend was completely foreign to me. I was amazed by certain things she wrote, maybe I am too American or uneducated. As an example, she tells about an evening with no electricity. They all sat on the floor, talking while Christmas candles provided light by sitting on a coffee table. Something like a coffee table, to me, is an Americanized thing. We have coffee tables because we sit in our living rooms, drinking coffee and reading coffee table books. She speaks of the date-balls they were eating and about a telephone conversation. Chapter eight of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, discusses how “developing countries have thousands of years of tradition” (375). We ignore these traditions when we attempt to “globalize” these areas of the world.
As Riverbend states on her own blogspot.com blog, “Girl Blog from Iraq... let's talk war, politics and occupation.” (Riverbend). I would classify this blog as personal, political and educational. On a personal level, Riverbend is able to connect with the world to share her experiences. On a political level, Riverbend is defying her culture by speaking out. She is becoming to face of an unseen, unheard of gender in Iraq. And finally, on an educational level, Riverbend is accomplishing a great feat. Riverbend is education people like me, someone who was unaware that there were even Christian’s in Iraq, about the culture my country is waging war against.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Personal Narrative Blog
Riverbend is a woman who blogs about her life in Iraq during the U.S. occupation. Riverbend is a courageous woman. A woman who chose to share her story and to tell the world what life for an ordinary Iraqi citizen (let alone female) is really like. It would be nearly impossible for someone like me to understand what life would be like in a war-torn country. Especially since I consider myself to be extremely lucky to live the life I was given.
In her blog, Christmas in Baghdad, dated December 26, 2003, she discusses a typical Christmas in Iraq. Also discussed is how Christmas is celebrated during the U.S. occupation in Iraq. Riverbend speaks of her Christian friends and how they normally spend Christmas. This year, no Christians living in Iraq wanted to draw attention to them by decorating. People were too scared to drive to mass at night. She also discusses the traditional Santa Claus and how he is depicted in Iraqi culture. She discusses how Christmas was not typical in 2003 because of the sirens, gunshots, bombs, and planes. In chapter ten of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, women in the military is discussed. “Perhaps one of the most far-reaching effects of war is the normalization of violence in everyday life…” (504). This is a true statement because Riverbend states in her blog that she expects the sirens, she knows if the gun fire is “theirs” or “us”, she expects the war because it is what she has grown to accept.
The narrative gives great insight into Iraqi culture, food and customs. Most of the information provided by Riverbend was completely foreign to me. I was amazed by certain things she wrote, maybe I am too American or uneducated. As an example, she tells about an evening with no electricity. They all sat on the floor, talking while Christmas candles provided light by sitting on a coffee table. Something like a coffee table, to me, is an Americanized thing. We have coffee tables because we sit in our living rooms, drinking coffee and reading coffee table books. She speaks of the date-balls they were eating and about a telephone conversation. Chapter eight of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, discusses how “developing countries have thousands of years of tradition” (375). We ignore these traditions when we attempt to “globalize” these areas of the world.
As Riverbend states on her own blogspot.com blog, “Girl Blog from Iraq... let's talk war, politics and occupation.” (Riverbend). I would classify this blog as personal, political and educational. On a personal level, Riverbend is able to connect with the world to share her experiences. On a political level, Riverbend is defying her culture by speaking out. She is becoming to face of an unseen, unheard of gender in Iraq. And finally, on an educational level, Riverbend is accomplishing a great feat. Riverbend is education people like me, someone who was unaware that there were even Christian’s in Iraq, about the culture my country is waging war against.
(words: 505)
Works Cited:
Baghdad Burning. Riverbend, 26 Dec. 2003. Web. 05 Apr. 2010.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Military, War, and Peace, Women's Studies. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 493-510.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women Living in a Globalizing World. Women's Studies. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 371-391.
Activism Log 7
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Activism Log 7
• Activism
This week was full of communication. I spent time talking to Marie, the owner of the restaurant we are having the event at. I provided her with flyers for her patrons. We also spoke about how she was talking to her friends and employees about the event. She is such a nice woman. She is providing us with tables, pizza and a television to play a DVD we are making with facts and pictures. I also have been communicating with Arielle, our community partner. She will be providing us with materials for tabling at the event next Sunday. Also, I have been working on decorating boxes to hold donations.
• Reflection
Recently, I read The Global Women’s Movement by Peggy Antrobus. In this article she discusses her views on the women’s movement. She states, “A women’s movement is grounded in an understanding of women’s relations to social conditions…” (631). The social conditions of the women and men we are helping are troubling. I frequently clean out my closet and donate clothes to goodwill (I also pester my friends and family to do the same) so I feel great collecting donations for animals for a change. I feel like I help people in need so it is fulfilling to also help pets.
• Reciprocity
We are really looking forward to this event. As a group, we decided to work individually on separate put equally important. I have been printing flyers, updating the Facebook group, collecting donations, and spreading the word about our event. I am really looking forward to getting this accomplished and seeing how many pieces of donations we collect.
Work Cited
Antrobus, Peggy. The Global Women’s Movement. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 629-635. Print.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Activism Log 7
• Activism
This week was full of communication. I spent time talking to Marie, the owner of the restaurant we are having the event at. I provided her with flyers for her patrons. We also spoke about how she was talking to her friends and employees about the event. She is such a nice woman. She is providing us with tables, pizza and a television to play a DVD we are making with facts and pictures. I also have been communicating with Arielle, our community partner. She will be providing us with materials for tabling at the event next Sunday. Also, I have been working on decorating boxes to hold donations.
• Reflection
Recently, I read The Global Women’s Movement by Peggy Antrobus. In this article she discusses her views on the women’s movement. She states, “A women’s movement is grounded in an understanding of women’s relations to social conditions…” (631). The social conditions of the women and men we are helping are troubling. I frequently clean out my closet and donate clothes to goodwill (I also pester my friends and family to do the same) so I feel great collecting donations for animals for a change. I feel like I help people in need so it is fulfilling to also help pets.
• Reciprocity
We are really looking forward to this event. As a group, we decided to work individually on separate put equally important. I have been printing flyers, updating the Facebook group, collecting donations, and spreading the word about our event. I am really looking forward to getting this accomplished and seeing how many pieces of donations we collect.
Work Cited
Antrobus, Peggy. The Global Women’s Movement. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 629-635. Print.
Activism Log 6
Katelyn Temple
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
March 28, 2010
Activism Log 6
• Activism
This week was kind of slow. I have accomplished a lot of flyering, both on and off campus. I figure college students aren’t too willing to foster a pet or come to an event on a Sunday afternoon so we have been focusing on older crowds. Personally, I have been flyering in neighborhoods and at my job. Also, local places I frequent are also hearing all about this event to raise awareness about animal abuse, domestic violence and helping animals in need. My veterinarian and I have an appointment to talk, I plan on asking if his office will donate food or litter or some type of donation. I recently went to my car insurance agent’s office to pick up papers, so I handed out flyers while I was there because their office is about a mile from Louie and Marie’s.
• Reflection
While reading chapter ten of our text, Women and the Military, War, and Peace, I learned that, “For many … women, the military offers much better opportunities than the wider society: jobs with better pay, health care, pensions, and other benefits, as well as the chance for education, travel, and escape from crisis…” (496). This chapter made me think of the chain of events in someone’s life that can lead them into a situation in which they need the help we are trying to provide. I wish all women had the opportunity to better their lives. If this is a way to help, I am happy to do so.
• Reciprocity
While flyering in local neighborhoods, I have met so many people. I have met families who adopted pets, found pets, saved pets, took in unwanted pets; all of these families were happy to share their stories with me. I feel satisfied collecting donations. Walking around neighborhoods, I have collected 2 bags of litters, 7 cans of food, a carrier, and a pet bed.
Work Cited
Women and the Military, War and Peace. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 493-510. Print.
Professor Nina Perez
WST 3015
March 28, 2010
Activism Log 6
• Activism
This week was kind of slow. I have accomplished a lot of flyering, both on and off campus. I figure college students aren’t too willing to foster a pet or come to an event on a Sunday afternoon so we have been focusing on older crowds. Personally, I have been flyering in neighborhoods and at my job. Also, local places I frequent are also hearing all about this event to raise awareness about animal abuse, domestic violence and helping animals in need. My veterinarian and I have an appointment to talk, I plan on asking if his office will donate food or litter or some type of donation. I recently went to my car insurance agent’s office to pick up papers, so I handed out flyers while I was there because their office is about a mile from Louie and Marie’s.
• Reflection
While reading chapter ten of our text, Women and the Military, War, and Peace, I learned that, “For many … women, the military offers much better opportunities than the wider society: jobs with better pay, health care, pensions, and other benefits, as well as the chance for education, travel, and escape from crisis…” (496). This chapter made me think of the chain of events in someone’s life that can lead them into a situation in which they need the help we are trying to provide. I wish all women had the opportunity to better their lives. If this is a way to help, I am happy to do so.
• Reciprocity
While flyering in local neighborhoods, I have met so many people. I have met families who adopted pets, found pets, saved pets, took in unwanted pets; all of these families were happy to share their stories with me. I feel satisfied collecting donations. Walking around neighborhoods, I have collected 2 bags of litters, 7 cans of food, a carrier, and a pet bed.
Work Cited
Women and the Military, War and Peace. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 493-510. Print.
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