So…
I have been thinking about the notion of resistance. In the BIG sense. And I am not sure what B.I.G. is, but I am trying to come to some sort of understanding about what I can do, what I am willing to do, and what I WANT to do to resist what I see around me. What I see to be a seriously sick system with no self-sense that it IS sick.
I read an article last week declaring that an SUV getting 21 mpg was the “green vehicle of the year”. 21 miles per gallon???? Excuse me, but how is THAT green? Because those behemoths usually clock in at 15? Puh-leeze! My first car, over 15 years ago, got that and it was a 1983 ½ Nissan with almost 200K miles on it. WTF? Can’t we do better? I guess this struck me particularly hard as I watched the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” last week. PLEASE watch it! It is so clear that who or what is controlling things is NOT the American people, what is best for us and especially what is best of the Earth. They had a mass produced car that ran on electricity! And the oil moguls KILLED it. What was most shocking to me was the way they rounded the cars up (perfectly good, working cars that people WANTED) and destroyed them! How is that good for ANYONE? Oh, wait… That’s good for Big Oil and those that they fund. Man, I am so pissed off about it.
So, what? What can I do? I left Texas and have not had a car since I got here. I walk to work and school and take public transportation only when necessary. I will occasionally splurge for a cab when I am dressed up for something, transporting something or not in any condition (or too impatient—2am?) to wait for the bus.
But what else?
I am very much blessed in my living situation. But how can I make that footprint smaller? I carry a reusable bag with me at all times so as not to use plastic (as per SF law) but I find this to be quite an easy contribution.
So, what am I willing to do that is not so easy? How can I change my living habits to fall more in line with harmony with my surroundings? Now, I live in the middle of a city and it’s hard to see the “natural world” around me, but I have been really enlightened by what I have read for school. It has changed my perspective completely.
I was changing my kitties’ box this evening and was pondering about the litter. What is it made of? Where does it go? How long does it take to break down? I bag it up in a plastic bag, that’s not good. What can I do differently that will be more environmentally friendly?
That makes me think of how angry I have been lately when I see ads in magazines, on billboards and on TV. Everything is GREEN this and GREEN that!!! Well, yes, we need to pay attention to what we are doing to the environment and learn a new way of being. What I see, however, is the classic Western coop of the emotional pull of it without any of the substance! It reminds me of what we have done to indigenous peoples. Except now we are doing it to a real noble cause. I believe in the movement and want to do what I can, but it makes me angry when every product is touting it’s “green-ness”! It is absolute BS. Despite the fact that the current administration denies that there is global warming, most of the American public believe the science that it is really happening. That being said, for Goddess sake, I will scream bloody murder when Coca-Cola starts using the environmental consciousness movement to sell soda!!!!
I have already seen commercials from oil companies telling of how they are investing in alternative energy. Great. Just like what happened with the Saturn EV. Give me an effin break!
Ok.
Well, how does this play a part of my larger project?
Good question.
I think I am working through the notion of resistance. To taking control and not allowing myself to be spoon-fed what the dominant social paradigm puts out as “normal”. I am blessed to live in a VERY liberal city, but what about everyone else? How can I resist the tide of apathy and laziness and the impetus to stay fat and happy while the Earth bears the brunt of our selfishness? Not to mention how my blessed life compares to the majority of the world…
Ugh.
I am going to Southeast Asia for the first time in a couple of months. I know it will be a serious mindf**k. Especially after all of the studies I have done in this program. How can I participate in eco-tourism when I know that it is not always as rosy as it is presented? That and I will be returning to here. To the current Empire. I have such guilt and fear of losing what I have always known when I think of what needs to happen to fix the current direction this world is on. Is it EVEN possible?
So.
How do I, one woman, one person raised in such a cushy environment, use my place in the world to make a difference? How do I take what I know and feel to resist what is going on?
How do I raise my voice to say NO to the current system? How do I take the passion, discomfort, and hope and put it to use for the bettering, not just of my plight on this planet, but for those that come after me?
Gawd. It’s almost too much to ingest. But, I have to. I have to find a way to use my voice, my resistance and my strong will to work toward something better.
Yeah.
On a completely (but not so off course you’ll wonder what is going on in my head), an old friend of mine is on strike with the Writers Guild. They are fighting for their future. They are fighting those that get ridiculously rich on the writers’ talent. It is OBSCENE that the TV/Film moguls won’t sit down with the writers union and negotiate. The last negotiation was in a time when no one was sure that video was a viable medium. I mean, COME ON, so much has changed!!! For Goddess’ sake, the internet has changed the whole way we live our lives, the writers deserve to get a piece of the action. My gawd, they are asking for 4 cents!!!! I think I am slightly envious of the union and their righteous fight against the machine. That and I am SOOOO proud of my old friend of her success in the business and her will to fight for her future.
Hollywood is one of the MOST influential forces in the world, socially AND financially. It’s more of those in power using others as a commidty. WTF? Get an EFFIN conscious!!!
Yeah. I am not going to hold my breath.
But give ‘em HELL WGA! Pencils down, means pencils down!
Out.
