Hello, my name is John Ferris and I work in the School of Social
Studies, University of Nottingham, UK.I am very pleased to see this
list and the excellent contributions to date promise much interest
and stimulation. I look forward to participating and learning.
I do not have a fixed position on ecofeminism(s) but start perhaps
with a feeling that essentialism and eco-spirituality are not very
helpful in building an agenda for change. I incline to the view that
gender identities are primarily social and cultural constructions and
can in principle be de-constructed. I suupose I am an eco-socialist.
I do not expect future progressive change to be top down, it would be
nice to be proved wrong. Meanwhile I am more inclined to think that
change will come from grassroots movements. During the past year
while working in the USA I was impressed by the Environmental Justice
Movement. In particular the very impressive leadership provided by
women in local struggles and campaigns. I hope to use this
framework to study UK and European experience with toxic dumping
etc.
I have not yet found any books or articles on Env.justice that provide
clear directions in linking race, class and gender. Any
suggestions? While it is clear that
there are disparities in terms of differential impact on `people of
colour' and ethnic minorities it is also the case that many white
blue collar communities have also suffered from toxic dumping. These
issues still seem unresolved to me. I am also interested generally in
issues of urban sustainability. I am looking forward to future
debates on this net.
John Ferris
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
School of Social Studies
University of Nottingham
Nottingham NG7 2RD
UK
Fax 0602-515232
