Ariel and Donna,
this is a neat exchange, without defensiveness. Important. It's true that we
el norte americanos often speak from our own reality, and not globally. It
is ethnocentric, or perhaps continent-centric, and I don't mind at all it
being pointed out, and am glad when it is. But let's not fiddle while Rome
burns either, to use a western-world-centric metaphor. Balance, balance. The
point is about logging, mining, etc., the rape of Gaia, and we need to honor
our commitment even though we are going to say some things in the way we are
used to saying them amongst our peers, not intending to offend. Ariel makes a
good point, and I value it. And language is important; it helps shape
reality. But I know we all will keep on fighting and discussing better if we
can "take it easy" a bit re our cultural pecadillos, and not focus on them????
Love, Jane
