I haven't gotten into the veg/enviro discussion in the past, to be honest, I
haven't read much of the past discussions, so my points may be redundant. I
don't want to belabor the point, but I do feel that one can be an
environmentalist and an omnivore. I am proof of that. I do, however, agree
with the energistics of vegetarianism and am against animal cruelty.
First point: I find it interesting that vegetarians who are concerned about
animal welfare rarely discuss plant welfare. Just because a plant doesn't
bleed and doesn't have a nervous system we cannot assume that it is beyond
feeling. It is possible that plants do feel pain when we harvest their
fruit and destroy their bodies. We may not recognize it as pain like humans
experience, but who are we to say that they don't feel?
Second: In ecology organisms are divided into (generally) producers,
consumers, and decomposers. If you do not photosynthesize or
chemosynthesize, than you require the life of other organisms to survive.
Fact of nature. Whether you eat a plant or animal, you are taking life.
With plants, we may be able to eat only part of the organism, without its
death, but we often take the life of an entire plant. For instance, when we
eat grains, we are eating embryonic plants. There is a tiny plant embryo
whose life we are taking. Life is life, regardless of whether you have
blood, chlorophyll, or a "reasoning" brain.
Third (and last): I feel that a very important issue that is often ignored
is the respect and reverence (or lack of) that accompany any meal. Whether
a strict vegetarian or an omnivore, we should all remember the life that is
given for us to live from day to day, and give the appropriate thanks to
that organism (or creator of the organism, if you prefer).
Hope these ideas aren't too old or redundant. I also hope that as
environmentalists, and especially ecofeminists, that we can be open to the
diversity of personal experiences. There is no "one way" to be a good
environmentalist or feminist. With the multiplicity of experience and
ideas, I believe there is room in ecofeminist philosophy to weave them all
together to build a better tomorrow. As Karen Warren has said--ecofeminism
is *pluralistic* and *inclusive,* listening to diverse voices and opinions
of women, men, indigenous people, and oppressed groups throughout the world.
There is not *one* voice for women, etc. All are incorporated into the
woven fabric (Warren, Power and Promise of Ecological Feminism. Env.
Ethics, 1990)
A good day to you all,
Kim Hart
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
