I was out of the office on Friday and returned this morning to face a
deluge of ecofem--rather overwhelming but great to hear/see. Just a
couple of notes on various threads--
Re: Anarchy
Jayne asked why I assumed that a breakdown of order/civil war in the
U.S. would result in an ideological as opposed to an ethnic
conflict-- answer is that I think the conflict would be largely split
along racial lines but that there would be crossover. A few months
ago I was discussing this issue with a very successful
African-American television news producer who had recently bought a
gun to protect his home and property from the (largely black)
"have-nots" in his neighborhood. He was very capitalistic and macho
in his "I'm gonna protect what's mine" sentiments. Yet, when the
question turned to a possible ethnic war, he was vehement in his
certainty that he would be fighting together with the (largely black)
have-nots against the (largely white) "system." Interesting, if a
bit illogical.
I know that some people on the list question the assumption that a
breakdown in the political system would result in mass violence and
widespread murder and mayhem but I believe that the historical record
is clear on that point. As a teenager I was obsessed with the French
Revolution and read everything I could get my hands on about its
causes, progress and aftermath. It seems clear to me that then and
now, political collapse is almost inevitably followed by a period of
widespread social disorder (usually violent to some degree) before a
new system of government is created. I don't know of any society in
world history which has not had some form of "government" or
self-regulating entity. Peaceful and productive anarchy is IMHO a
utopian dream unsupported by the historical record or by our
understanding of human nature.
I am really glad to see the list begin to address the concept of
spirituality and how it relates to ecofeminism. I became an
ecofeminist at the same time (and because) I rejected the patriarchal
tradition I was raised in (Catholicism). My political beliefs are
grounded in my spirituality, which is essentially Wiccan and based on
a respect for all living things--even those (ie. the Norway rat and
the Christian right) I would prefer to live without : )
Deborah
