Rocky Creek Dam

On October 18^th, the IENK class took a trip to Rocky Creek Dam with topics focusing on Eco-Feminism and the dualism between human and nature, while also addressing the role of historical patriarchy within that same dualism. I have come to understand that previous to these readings, my thoughts on women’s identity are closely related to nature and earth. For an art project last semester in Florence, I focused on how to empower the female body through the connections to nature and earths elements. It was something so simple to me, women give life and to me, have a special bond with earths’ natural cycles. What did not occur to me, was how women were placed equal to nature by the domination of man. The conquest and remoulding of land and environment, the control and exploitation of its resources, are similar to the level of control and exploitation women go through in cultures around the world. As writer Ariel Kay Salleh states, “annihilation of women’s identity and creativity by patriarchal culture continues as a face of daily existence” (Sahhel, 1984). From the oppression of sexuality, fetishizing the pure and untouched, and silencing voices, women and nature are treated the same. Though some countries are living in a state of change and challenging the roles and values placed upon women, it is sometimes seen as celebrating the women’s spirit/ nature and assuming the celebration is comparable to equality.

With the thought of androcentric feminism, a concept of privileging male-associated traits over female-associated traits in order to achieve equality, I realized I have been living this form of feminism over the summers for the past 4 years. I work in a male dominated workplace as a mate on a fishing boat. I also assumed that in order to receive respect or be treated by other fisherman as an equal, I originally tried to take on the ‘masculine’ traits of being strong/tough and less bubbly to avoid sexist comments like, ‘what’s a pretty girl doing on a fishing boat, shouldn’t you be getting your nails done’. Over a period of time, I realized it was unnecessary to go to such extant and just began calling people out for such comments, yet I still felt like I continuously had to prove myself as an equal to the boys and men I worked with and did this by demonstrating strength and not allowing any help. And now, I am making and will continue to make on the boat, a conscious effort to be equal and feel empowered out of the box of masculine traits.

While on the walk through Rocky Creek Dam, we stopped and talked about a place where we were supposed to visit called Protester Falls, and how there was a sacred location for just women. For me to believe a place being dedicated for women and only women seem almost too good to be true, and it’s almost hard to believe that it would be respected. It got me thinking about how I would feel when the girls in our class would be able to continue on with our walk to that spot and the guys would have to stay behind. I think I would be so filled with emotions racing through my body and mind, like they are right now just thinking of the place, and I would feel so grateful and at ease. We were told that we would eventually get to visit Protester Falls and I am looking forward to that experience.

Salleh, A. K., (1984). Deeper than Deep Ecology: The Eco-Feminist Connection. Environmental Ethics, 6(4), 335-341.