Month: April 2025

Creating more community gardens in my neighborhood is a plan that I am passionate about. These gardens create a safe space where individuals of all ages can come together to learn and grow. Community gardens not only uplift the area but also provide spaces for local residents to make connections and have a clear mind. Even though I am not entirely sure that my plan will have positive results, I have taken important steps towards turning this dream into a reality. Over the past weeks I had the opportunity to speak with a community advocate who has successfully created her own gardens in my area. She shared important information about what it takes to create and maintain a community garden. In our conversation she highlighted the importance of getting support from local government. This support can come in many forms like for funding, land use permissions, and resources for educational workshops. She also said that Attending workshops is a great way to learn firsthand how gardens are set up and managed. These workshops cover not only the technical things of gardening but also how to engage community members effectively. From choosing suitable plants for the climate to understanding the importance of organic practices each session can give me information that will help my efforts. Even though my plan might take time to get approved and find a space, I can encourage my friends and family to join me in these workshops to build my support system even more and spread awareness.

My plan is to create more community gardens in my neighborhood, but I cannot yet tell if my plan will be successful because I still need permission from the government to use certain areas. But, what I can say is by me raising awareness and involving more people in this initiative has been really successful. These gardens symbolize hope, unity, and the collective effort of a community coming together to improve their quality of life. The first step in my plan was to conduct outreach within the community. I organized meetings between my family and friends and went to workshops to discuss the benefits of community gardens. These benefits include improving access to healthy food, enhancing local biodiversity, and providing a space for community members to connect. By sharing information about the positive impacts of gardening I was able to encourage residents in my community to take part in this plan. While the process of getting permission from the government can be slow and may have challenges I am still hopeful and motivated to help my community grow. The excitement and involvement from the community shows that there is a lot of interest in creating more community gardens. Even though my plan isn’t completely completed I feel like I have a great start.

The blog that I know was my weakest grade wise and strengths was the Women-Nature Association blog. This blog was my weakest because I failed to find a photo that represents Adams argument on how women are overly sexualized. Adams’ argument shows us how women’s bodies are often objectified and commodified, mainly connecting to nature. This can be seen on social media where women are viewed in ways that reduce them from their beauty, similar to how nature is sometimes depicted as a resource to be exploited.

The three photos of a turkey with a bikini top tan line, an angry momma pig with her babies nursing, and an image that shows a big with heels and booty shorts with the background “best butts in Georgia” shows us a complex connection between the objectification and sexualization of both women and animals. These images show us societal attitudes toward bodies whether they belong to humans or animals and reveal a disturbing image framing these bodies within contexts that highlights our overall problem within the women community. Objectification is when physical properties sometimes disregard someone’s real purpose and value. The photo of the turkey wearing a bikini top shows that the animal is a thing created for visual appearance and entertainment. Like the photo of the pig nursing her babies shows her stressing her reproductive system and also how she supports the babies by nurturing them. These show common societal tendencies to perceive women and animals mostly by physicality more than to appreciate them for what they do. 

Sexualization also connects to these issues – the image of a big woman / pig wearing shorts and heels with the messaging that points out her body, shows how societal norms often point to obvious appearances. These images prove that women are much like the animals that are frequently valued for their bodies rather than their intellect or individuality. The “consumer” is those who are creating these views through engagement with such images. Women and animals turn into the ” consumed” objects of a society that frequently values them based on their looks. In the text it says,” Animals are assumed to want it like women. One can consume either a pig or a woman. One can exploit and destroy a calf or a woman.” (Kemmerer 2006) This shows a wider societal issue where societal norms dictate behaviors and values – the imagery shown in the three photos is an impressive view on the objectification and sexualization shown in contemporary society. Both women and animals are subjected to views that highlight their appearance over substance. Point out these behaviors is important because it gives women a more respectful and nuanced understanding of bodies. 

The photo that shows two women, one Black and one White, both wearing the same trench coat but styled differently shows how important questions about the representation of women in media and societal perceptions of sexuality. The image shows the Black woman with her coat open towards a man and his two dogs with the phrase, “There’s nothing naughty about buying this trench. ” This view can connect to Adam’s argument because it shows the excessive sexualization of women in contemporary culture. The Black woman’s open coat may look like an invitation or an expression of vulnerability that can play into long standing stereotypes that show women are defined by their desirability to men.

One ecofeminist action that is most important to me is organizing community garden projects because creating more gardens allows the community to connect with nature and learn how nature affects our daily activities. Community gardens not only provide fresh produce for the community but also create an educational and empowerment space allowing the community to come together and work/learn as a team. Community gardens give us many benefits from promoting environmental awareness and learning about the growing process, the importance of organic gardening, and the role plants play in the ecosystem. As people plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables, they gain an appreciation for biodiversity and sustainability. This hands on experience helps with having a better understanding of how human activities connect with nature. All over the world people have embraced and used community gardens to promote food sovereignty and environmental awareness. By having local women mainly from marginalized backgrounds connect with these gardens it can offer skills training in sustainable agriculture and nutrition. “Others feel that feminism is stealing a private property of the ecological struggle. Some think that feminism connects women to non-human nature and reduces women to an essence very close to nature.”(Gebara 94) This quote shows how the struggles for gender equality and environmental justice are connected. The fact that feminism might “steal” from ecological struggles shows the big issue between two important social movements. For example, climate strikes led by young activists have included feminist demands showing us an intersectionality that can be both empowering and contentious. By showing women leader experiences and contributions to ecological struggles our society can create a more sustainable future. 

In order to have more community gardens around our homes I would first have to involve community members in the planning process. I would first create surveys to see who in the community is actually interested. This data can give us insight into the demographic composition and desires of community members. Then find great safe locations, like underutilized land, parks, or vacant lots. And lastly collaborating with local organizations to gain their support and even collaborate on similar movements. These organizations can lead us to bigger resources that can help in the logistics of transforming these spaces into thriving gardens. The most important part is securing funding through grants, partnerships, or even fundraisers because these resources help maintain gardens. Also having educational workshops can teach residents about gardening techniques, nutrition, and the environmental benefits of green spaces. These workshops can cover many topics like gardening techniques, organic practices, nutrition education, and the environmental benefits of green spaces. By teaching residents how to plant, tend to gardens, and understand the nutritional value of home-grown produce the community not only gains practical skills but also creates a deeper connection to their environment. Through surveys, strategic planning, securing funding, and providing educational opportunities communities can create vibrant successful gardens that enhance local quality of life, creating social connections, and sustainability. As more people recognize the benefits of gardening, community gardens can lead to healthier people and stronger communities. 

Gebara, Ivone. “Ecofeminism: A Latin American Perspective.” Crosscurrents, Spring 2003, pp. 93-103.

After reading the three articles, based on the readings Speak Truth to Power by Wangari Maathai and The Brazilian Slum Children Who Are Literally Swimming in Garbage by Talita Corrêa they all show the struggles faced by women and the environment, highlighting that both are victims of the same systems of exploitation and neglect. Maathai shows us the connection between environmental degradation and social justice. She argues that deforestation and environmental destruction disproportionately affect women, particularly in rural areas of Africa where women often take the responsibility for collecting firewood and water. In the text it says “They spoke of how, once, they ate food that sustained their health. Now, while the food does not require much energy to grow, it does not sustain them. The women feel their families are now very weak and cannot resist diseases, that their bodies are impoverished because of an environment that is degraded.” (Maathai 2000) This is important because the degradation of natural resources turns into a form of oppression that restricts women’s ability to fulfill basic needs and diminishes their roles in their communities. This relationship between environmental degradation and women’s empowerment shows us the oppression of women and nature. Corrêa’s article shows us how the children in Brazil suffer from environmental issues. In the text it says “Larissa Silva, a ten-year-old who has chronic ringworm covering 80 percent of her body, lives a few miles away from the Asylum’s headquarters.” (Corrêa 2014) This is important because they live in a toxic environment that not only affects their health but also limits their potential and opportunities for a better future while also limiting their resources. The oppression faced by these children reflects the oppression of millions of women across the globe who are forced to live by similar conditions due to environmental neglect. Disempowerment plays a big role in the struggles of marginalized communities. When communities like this lack political voice, educational opportunities, and economic resources, they are unable to advocate for their own needs. For example, many low-income neighborhoods face challenges that involve lack of access to quality education, and insufficient healthcare. This disempowerment makes it very hard for these communities to improve their circumstances. As for the material deprivations, these communities lack food, clothing, and shelter, making it hard to get through their daily lives. 

Environmental degradation connects to these issues because many marginalized communities are located in areas that are impacted by pollution and climate change. For example, industrial waste often affects low-income neighborhoods disproportionately, causing them to have health issues they cannt afford. When resources like clean water and fertile land become recurring, the poor are mainly affected leading to further disempowerment and material deprivation. Governments and organizations must prioritize environmental justice by making sure that marginalized communities are included in decision-making processes regarding environmental policies. Creating things that focus on sustainable development can empower these communities and help them adapt to changing environmental conditions. This might include giving training for green jobs or investing in renewable energy projects that benefit low-income areas.

Corrêa, T. (2024). The Brazilian slum children who are literally swimming in Garbage. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-brazilian-slum-children-who-are-literally-swimming-in-garbage-0000197-v21n1/ 

Maathai, W. (2000). Key Speeches & Articles. Speak Truth to Power | The Green Belt Movement. https://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai/key-speeches-and-articles/speak-truth-to-power