>On 10 March, Kylie wrote:
>
>For example we in, Perth Western Australia, via local councils are
>recycling more refuse than that that is left for landfill. This started
>small - just a few odd 'greenies' and now every self-respecting
>middle class person recycles.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>I think that this is a large part of the problem and has two aspects.
>
>a) 'green' behaviour is seen as a middle class activity; and,
>b) the middle class see recycling as sufficient.
>
>Until other classes come on board and see themselves as part of both
>problem and solution, things are unlikely to improve. Additionally,
>the middle class lifestyle is in large part responsible for the
>current environmental degredation which is taxing our minds (if not
>our businesses).
I think you have misunderstood my point. I am not saying that recycling is
enough, nor am I saying that recycling is a middle class activity. What I
am trying to point out is that when an activity is seen as respectable ie
middle class then the bulk of the people will engage in it. I am also not
saying we should rest with recycling. I am however saying that it is a
start. Better a little than nothing at all. What are you doing to aid the
environment?
I also think that just because the middle and upper class caused the
degradation that this does not exclude them from the solution. No one is
excluded from the solution - we cannot afford that. We must allow people
to change sides without losing face - making greening a middle class
activity really will go a long way toward our goal
>
>This raises issues of class and social justice, both of which are
>bound up in issues of economics with which we must wrestle before the
>solution can be developed fully.
I agree that issues of social justice need to be dealt with but I don't
think we can afford the luxury of sitting back with regard to environment
issues until they're fixed. Why can't we work on all of them
simultaneousy?
It's also not just issues of class and social justice but all forms of
structural inequality that need to be addressed - class, race, gender,
sexual preference, disability just to name a few. The principles around
non-violence would give a good grounding for addressing these issues.
Peace,
Kylie.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The thing women have got to learn is that nobody gives you power. You just
take it. -- Roseanne Arnold.
