I think individual "liberation" is important and definitely helps us to
survive the conditions we live under (sexism, racism, capitalist
exploitation) but it in no way gets us closer to true freedom. I believe
that the only way to make real change is through uniting and organizing and
fighting in a public, political way.
What your argument leads to is to put the focus and responsibility on
individuals, one person at a time. This keeps us from pointing fingers and
demanding that exploitation stop by making us think "if I fix my self, then
that is political".
If the women's liberation movement of the late 60's/early 70's focused on
"self-respect" and "self-actualization" (like many misguided feminists do
today) we would not be where we are. Women would be thinking the problems
we face (sexism at work, at home, on the street) is in our heads and try to
just get some self-respect, as if the fact that our
husbands/boyfriends/dates beat us and talk down to us and make more money,
etc. is our own fault and we just aren't reading the right self-help guide.
When the problem, quite frankly, is bigoted, sexist, too powerful men. If
the black liberation movement focused on black people just getting
self-respect and not taking shit from racists whites (which many were
killed for) than that movement would not have made the gains it did. It is
wrong, in my opinion, to focus on the oppressed group and try to get them
to "self-realize" their situation. It doesn't even make sense.
Similarly, the way the environmental movement has been focused in many
aspects on green consumerism and individual life-style changes takes the
blame off where it belongs-corporations!! It puts the blame and guilt on
those who cannot afford organic food, do not have access to recycling, and
have to drive their cars to get to work and feed their kids (or themselves)
rather than getting to the root-exploitative, greedy big business and
dirty politics.
Spiritual movements are important and do make change in many ways, but I do
not think that "if you
really want to be free - decide what you believe in yourself and motivate
yourself to help others believe in themselves - the power of self-respect"
will get us closer to freedom. I believe all people should be free and able
to control her/his own destiny without poverty, sexism, and racism getting
in her/his way. But me believing this and trying to convince others to
believe this is not enough.
Candi
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 1998 6:37 AM
To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT
Subject: Re: Looking for Gaia spiritual and/or religious movements
Hi!
Thanks for your reply. David - I feel that true liberation has to come
from
within us! I know people what to join all kinds of movements - but if you
really want to be free - decide what you believe in yourself and motivate
yourself to help others believe in themselves - the power of self-respect.
I
just read something about this and it is really getting me thinking about
how
most power is corrupt (to that I say ALL the power, glory and honor is
yours
Lord-forgive us our arrogance to the contrary) and the only power worth
putting forth is the power of self-respect and faith - I am working on a
Butterfly Gardens for Christian Churchs Initiative - to help teach
stewardship
to God's creation as opposed to domination. There are many great Christian
initiatives to help the Earth and if you are interested I can forward them.
Peace!
Angela
