I have never had to worry about what to eat. I have never counted calories. I have only ever learned my weight after a doctor’s visit. I was told to eat my vegetables when I was little- I was actually bribed a few times to finish my lima beans. I have eaten all types of foods. Anything- I am not picky. I have eaten fast food, junk food and candy without a care in the world. Even with all of this said, I was not prepared to be so concerned with the information I learned after taking an English course my freshman year of college. I am one of those people who tend to follow a trend and then forget why it was that I was following it. In other words, when I watched Food Inc. during class, and read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”, I realized that I had been following a trend and I had no idea why. The trend I am speaking of is buying fast food and meat and not questioning where it came from or why it was priced the way it was. I started to wonder if food - the only thing I knew I could choose - was just another link in the chain of confusing and corrupted issues in our society. To be honest, I thought about my cat.
My cat is cute and cuddly and going on 12-years-old. HE is almost always mistaken for a she, and I make sure to correct people. My cat is almost like my pre-baby. I can tell how he feels when I look into his eyes, and however strange it may sound, I know that he loves me right back. I do not know what I would do if someone ever abused him- it actually makes me sick to my stomach. So why do I seem to let the fact that animals are abused everyday for food just skip right past my conscience. The only reason I can of is because I do not want to face the fact that in some small part I am abusing the animal that I am ingesting.
In, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” it made me question everything I have ever thought of about the food industry. From what they feed cows and livestock to the way animals live up to their final days and to the way they are killed makes me wish I were a vegetarian. The only solace I found in the article was when the author said, “As I gingerly stepped toward him the quietly shuffling mass of black cowhide between us parted, and there stood 534 and I, staring dumbly at one another. Glint of recognition? None, none whatsoever. I told myself not to take it personally: 534 and his pen mates have been bred for their marbling, not their ability to form attachments” (955). This gave me comfort, however twisted it may be, because at least I can think to myself that killing the cow would not ‘hurt’ his feelings or mine. I have no attachment. It is a thing- a product to be sold. My cat is my baby- something that I would never imagine living in a pen of his own feces or dealing with bloodshot eyes because of feedlot dust (which is actually fecal dust). Is this what has kept me from questioning the food industry- the fact that I do not have a name and a face to what I am eating?
I have questioned if I should be a vegetarian. The thought always pops into my head when I am shuffling through the dining hall or grabbing a package of meat at the grocery. Then I realize that there is a food chain that humans are at the top off. We dominate all food and we take whatever we want- besides our culture’s ideas of “pets”. Whenever the question of meat comes into play I realize that the problem is not that we kill animals- but that we abuse animals. Yes, killing is abuse I suppose, but whatever happened to being humane? The food cycle is real and I do not think it is realistic to stop killing animals for food, but I most certainly do not find it acceptable that animals are tortured or kept in the most disgusting of conditions during their final days. Even after reading “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and watching Food Inc. I am not sure I was so much angry with the fact that the meat is becoming unhealthy for humans to digest, but that the animals were fed meals with parts of their own species included in it, and being fed so much corn could led an animal to grow a layer of fat that could end up making the animal suffocate to death. It is the abuse and the neglect of the animals. All of this makes me wonder if there could ever be a utopia where animals were respected and humans did not have to worry about diseases from the mistreatment and uncleanliness by the food industry.
In the major motion picture, Avatar, the food chain exists but is respected among a tribe. Every animal that is killed has a purpose and they have a prayer. Respect is what is needed in our society. Even if we do not associate relationships and attachments with what we eat does that mean we become heartless bastards who are able to kick a chicken, or bludgeon a cow without feeling any remorse or sickness in the pits of our stomachs? The food chain is not able to be ignored or passed over, but animal suffering is not an acceptable way to keep our food industry sustainable and respectable. Food is of course something none of us can live without, but I would rather live on grass than see another animal miserable. Believe it or not, they way we treat animals has a direct relationship to they way humans are treated nutritionally.
I have imagined myself on a farm. I never see green grass. I have never seen absolutely clean water. I am injected several times with antibiotics and I stand in my own fecal matter. I do not eat what biology has told me to, but rather I eat corn and lots of it which eventually makes me so unnaturally heavy that my legs will give out from underneath me and I will lie in my feces until my death. I become resistant to bacteria and eventually when I am slaughtered and passed through conveyer belt after conveyer belt and rubbed against manure-caked hides of my pen-mates, I will be given to a human who will unfailingly eat me and intake the strains of bacteria that have accumulated inside of me and develop a disease that will destroy their bodies and the emotions of everyone they love.
I shake myself from this imagination and try to tell myself that that would be an extreme case and is a rarity. The fact of the matter is that cases like what I imagined are becoming less of a rarity. No matter what way the web is presented emotions are a key part of the equation. Society tends to forget that not only is the saying, you are what you eat true, but that “you are what what you eat eats too” (Pollan 960). We are all a part of the process, and it took me a while to completely understand this.
My food habits have not changed completely because I still eat meat- and I enjoy it. What has changed though is the way I chose my meat. I am more prone to choose meat based on packaging that promotes organic farming. I know animals are still suffering for my taste buds, but at least now I know that I can have a voice and that I know of the dangers and corruption of the food industry. Most importantly, food has made me realize that I miss my cat and I can not wait to pet him again and hope that other animals will eventually be treated with respect.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Final Essay Prompt #2: Blood Runs Green in Our Media
I find it fascinating that is is 2011 and we still see gender roles divided into such specific corners. Men are strong and the secondary care-giver in their households. Women are the emotional beings who cook, clean and remain the primary organizer of the household. Sometimes, though, I feel like a hypocrite. I like to cook and clean and take care of people. My mom is that way, and her mom was that way. Are women programmed to stay in this stereotype? There are those women who do not fit the mold- they are the exception- and there are a lot of them. Ladies who refuse to cook, or are just not born with the natural ability to keep things tidy and make great tasting food. Are women like these less than women who are fantastic at juggling so many domestic needs? I ponder these questions quite frequently everyday, and what I have been able to come up with is that maybe women are their own oppressors.
That was kind of a deep thought to throw out there. However, I think it is a valid accusation. Women all around this world fight for equality and freedom to do just as much as men- if not more. However, these same women are the ones watching those- Glade, Tide, Brawny, Clorox- cleaning commercials and then buying the product. I cannot help but wonder if women are becoming their own downfall by accepting and buying into the image that a cleaning product promotes. I have nothing against women who like to clean -because I do too. What I do have a problem with is these advertising agencies and cleaning product companies that keep generating commercials where a woman is wiping a messy counter while a man is yelling at a TV screen and wearing his favorite jersey. While this is the norm for some households I would still like to believe that men are more than capable of pushing a broom while a woman sits down to watch TV- whether it is sports or not. Our media has twisted so much of the average woman’s thought process that she believes by watching this commercial she is just doing what every other woman is doing in society. While a woman may be more nurturing than a man at times I find it hard to believe that a man cares less about his family and their well-being than a woman.
This brings me to the sustainability debate that is constantly going on in my head. If women have the ability to be their own oppressors, and cleaning commercials feature women, I find it very plausible that cleaning products and their promotion of the “green movement” is directed toward women. In,“French Feminist Blames Green Movement For Guilting Women Into Old-Fashioned Roles” it is written that a french feminist author argues that the green movement is forcing women back into traditional domestic roles, and the author even goes as far to say that the situation has gone as far as women “devolving into female chimpanzees.” I might be a little extreme on this topic, but even I would not suggest that the green movement has gone this far.
The writer of this article makes an interesting observation later in the text by saying that the green movement is not necessarily guilting women into traditional roles, but rather the green movement is a cover for sexism. I would have to agree. I do not believe that women are watching these commercials for green products and suddenly feeling like they have to be a stay-at-home mom who does laundry all day (even though that is a valid option for a lot of mothers), but I do question the advertising that seems to only portray women as the cleaners. Sexism in the media is the core of why women are becoming their own oppressors, and let’s not forget that sex(ism) sells.
I titled my rant, “Blood Runs Green in Our Media” for a couple of reasons. One: The media are always looking to make green, meaning money, and two: recently the way to make money is to “go green”. These two characteristics are what keep the blood flowing and pumping for a lot of big business. I admire them for promoting sustainable products and homes but I do not admire their obvious and somewhat uncreative attempts at advertising. When I think of cleaning advertising, a classic question comes to mind: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? What I mean by this is does media tell women that cleaning is their job, or does it just reflect what women really are- what they were born to be? Are women just suppose to be labeled “mom” and “care-giver”, or does the media reinforce and maintain these stereotypes. One thing is for sure- there is a delicate balance that advertising must secure in order to reach a large demographic effectively.
As mentioned before, my main argument is not to suggest that media are pushing women to accept unrealistic domestic superiority, but that the media target women in the green movement. The demographic that most green friendly companies are now trying to target is “prime-time” women, meaning women aged from 50-70 and married, according to Diane MacEachern, a writer for The Daily Green. In her article, “Why Marketing to Women Matters to the Green Movement” she looks at the numbers associated with women and the green movement. “When it comes to making their money matter, nearly 50% of women say they want more green choices”, and “37% are more likely to pay attention to brands that are committed to environmental causes.” It is clear that women are becoming increasingly more targeted in the green movement, but maybe this could be a good thing after all.
There is one counter-argument to my tirade that I am willing to say is convincing. Women, while being targeted, are able to tell companies what to make and what they are willing to buy. This is a form of female empowerment. Women can be their own oppressors, but if they are able to persuade companies to make products they want and are willing to buy, I guess I have to say more power to them. In the video, “The Persuaders” it talks about how media can become an incessant buzzing in society’s ear and eventually we are are able to tune it out. However, the video also mentions that maybe the media are not trying to persuade us, but maybe the consumers are the ones persuading the media. We can choose what to buy, and this tells the media what our society will continue to buy. I really detest the fact that the green movement relies on women, but if women are turning the tables and getting what they want, I suppose I can not complain.
In conclusion, I wish to see commercials and advertisements for green cleaning products to stop making women their own oppressors and change the format of their demographic, because I am tired of watching a woman clean up after a man- even if I do it sometimes. It is not about stopping women from taking a traditional role, it’s about promoting different roles so we do not see a step back in the feminist movement. Even if women are able to change what products are produced for them, I would hate to see the steps that the feminist movement has made be for nothing. Maybe we will realize we are hurting the feelings of men all over the world who would love to buy these kinds of products.
That was kind of a deep thought to throw out there. However, I think it is a valid accusation. Women all around this world fight for equality and freedom to do just as much as men- if not more. However, these same women are the ones watching those- Glade, Tide, Brawny, Clorox- cleaning commercials and then buying the product. I cannot help but wonder if women are becoming their own downfall by accepting and buying into the image that a cleaning product promotes. I have nothing against women who like to clean -because I do too. What I do have a problem with is these advertising agencies and cleaning product companies that keep generating commercials where a woman is wiping a messy counter while a man is yelling at a TV screen and wearing his favorite jersey. While this is the norm for some households I would still like to believe that men are more than capable of pushing a broom while a woman sits down to watch TV- whether it is sports or not. Our media has twisted so much of the average woman’s thought process that she believes by watching this commercial she is just doing what every other woman is doing in society. While a woman may be more nurturing than a man at times I find it hard to believe that a man cares less about his family and their well-being than a woman.
This brings me to the sustainability debate that is constantly going on in my head. If women have the ability to be their own oppressors, and cleaning commercials feature women, I find it very plausible that cleaning products and their promotion of the “green movement” is directed toward women. In,“French Feminist Blames Green Movement For Guilting Women Into Old-Fashioned Roles” it is written that a french feminist author argues that the green movement is forcing women back into traditional domestic roles, and the author even goes as far to say that the situation has gone as far as women “devolving into female chimpanzees.” I might be a little extreme on this topic, but even I would not suggest that the green movement has gone this far.
The writer of this article makes an interesting observation later in the text by saying that the green movement is not necessarily guilting women into traditional roles, but rather the green movement is a cover for sexism. I would have to agree. I do not believe that women are watching these commercials for green products and suddenly feeling like they have to be a stay-at-home mom who does laundry all day (even though that is a valid option for a lot of mothers), but I do question the advertising that seems to only portray women as the cleaners. Sexism in the media is the core of why women are becoming their own oppressors, and let’s not forget that sex(ism) sells.
I titled my rant, “Blood Runs Green in Our Media” for a couple of reasons. One: The media are always looking to make green, meaning money, and two: recently the way to make money is to “go green”. These two characteristics are what keep the blood flowing and pumping for a lot of big business. I admire them for promoting sustainable products and homes but I do not admire their obvious and somewhat uncreative attempts at advertising. When I think of cleaning advertising, a classic question comes to mind: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? What I mean by this is does media tell women that cleaning is their job, or does it just reflect what women really are- what they were born to be? Are women just suppose to be labeled “mom” and “care-giver”, or does the media reinforce and maintain these stereotypes. One thing is for sure- there is a delicate balance that advertising must secure in order to reach a large demographic effectively.
As mentioned before, my main argument is not to suggest that media are pushing women to accept unrealistic domestic superiority, but that the media target women in the green movement. The demographic that most green friendly companies are now trying to target is “prime-time” women, meaning women aged from 50-70 and married, according to Diane MacEachern, a writer for The Daily Green. In her article, “Why Marketing to Women Matters to the Green Movement” she looks at the numbers associated with women and the green movement. “When it comes to making their money matter, nearly 50% of women say they want more green choices”, and “37% are more likely to pay attention to brands that are committed to environmental causes.” It is clear that women are becoming increasingly more targeted in the green movement, but maybe this could be a good thing after all.
There is one counter-argument to my tirade that I am willing to say is convincing. Women, while being targeted, are able to tell companies what to make and what they are willing to buy. This is a form of female empowerment. Women can be their own oppressors, but if they are able to persuade companies to make products they want and are willing to buy, I guess I have to say more power to them. In the video, “The Persuaders” it talks about how media can become an incessant buzzing in society’s ear and eventually we are are able to tune it out. However, the video also mentions that maybe the media are not trying to persuade us, but maybe the consumers are the ones persuading the media. We can choose what to buy, and this tells the media what our society will continue to buy. I really detest the fact that the green movement relies on women, but if women are turning the tables and getting what they want, I suppose I can not complain.
In conclusion, I wish to see commercials and advertisements for green cleaning products to stop making women their own oppressors and change the format of their demographic, because I am tired of watching a woman clean up after a man- even if I do it sometimes. It is not about stopping women from taking a traditional role, it’s about promoting different roles so we do not see a step back in the feminist movement. Even if women are able to change what products are produced for them, I would hate to see the steps that the feminist movement has made be for nothing. Maybe we will realize we are hurting the feelings of men all over the world who would love to buy these kinds of products.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
ECO-EVENT 7: Canvas has never looked so good
I found this video almost unexpectedly when I was stuck on another YouTube distraction vacation last night. I thought it was an excellent use of creativity and information to make an audience laugh, be confused, and eventually take action.
The video argues that consumers should use canvas bags as opposed to using more and more plastic bags when shopping. I agree that this measure should be taken to reduce our nation's and the world's dependence on plastic products and the waste it produces. I have actually started using those reusable bags for my grocery outings. At least I know I am playing a small part in helping the environment.
More videos like this and I think more people would catch on to environmental trends and turn them into movements. When something is catchy it stays in your head and I think that was achieved with this video.
ECO-EVENT 6: Toast to an even greener St. Patrick's Day
The Eel River Brewing Company is what other beer companies are starting to follow in efforts of being a part of the green movement. The company has gone as far as to make it's motto- Be natural. Drink Naked.- inspiring. The company should be applauded especially because all the power used to brew the beer is produced from mill left overs such as wood chips, bark, and scrap lumber and clippings.
I would like to say that I did not go looking for this information- it just found me. I believe it is my duty to find information like this for all the college kids and young people out there trying to make a difference in this world. They can raise a glass to helping the environment.
ECO-EVENT 5: Hearing for a climate fraud case
Cuccinelli is not a believer in climate change being caused by humans and he is led to believe that University of Virginia climatologist, Michael Mann, is responsible for deliberately providing false information to the government for his application for research grants.
When I heard about this case two thoughts came to mind. How can someone honestly think that climate change/global warming is in some part caused by humans, and I can see how in some way a person wanting money for research for embellish or make some facts more dramatic than they really are.
In conclusion, I am not sure how this case will resolve itself, but one thing is for sure- we cannot deny that sustainability issues most certainly involve humans.
ECO-EVENT 4: New appreciation for bananas
However, it is now being shown that banana peels can effectively pull contamination from the water. The study is showing a lot of promise and competition for for other chemicals that are out there to clean water.
When I read about this it really was clear that there are so many solutions out in the world that can help our dependence on chemicals and items that may cause more sustainability problems than they are worth. From this step I think the next step to take is making sure run-off is at a minimum and waste is taken care of in proper ways.
Monday, March 7, 2011
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