Month: February 2025

There’s one place that means a lot to me: D.W. Field Park in Brockton, Massachusetts. This park is the refuge in my life, a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Growing up in Boston, I’ve always needed to be with nature, and D.W. Field Park became a land where I could breathe and release everything. It’s where I go walking when I need to clear my head, where I’ve jogged innumerable times, and where I’ve spent meditative afternoons contemplating on life.  During the summer, I would go on morning runs with my brother and his friends. There’s just something about the park’s trails, ponds, and wooded areas that make it feel like a sanctuary to me, especially when I need an escape from the city.

In some respects, D.W. Field Park does serve as a rock of democracy, that sort of space Williams describes, where people can come together and feel part of something larger than themselves. It’s a public space, meaning anyone can access it. It’s not a perfectly managed or curated park, but in being in its natural, unpolished state, it reminds you that this land is available to everyone. It is a place for people of all walks of life to come together, to share space, and experience nature in an environment free of barriers. In that way, the park is a reminder that you can feel part of a community simply by participating in the quotidian business of appreciating the land.

I  agree with Barbara Kingsolver that we need wildness. Nature is so humbling; it doesn’t give a rip about the plans we have as humans or any of our expensive dreams. That wildness reminds us that we’re one small part of a much larger whole. We think we’re in control, but nature sends the message that we’re not. When I consider the moments I’ve spent in nature, whether at D.W. Field Park or elsewhere, I feel like it helps me step out of myself and recognize I don’t have to have anything figured out. It’s also a reminder of how significant our decisions are. Wildness invites us to live intentionally, to value the land, and to think about how our actions will affect generations to come. It reminds me of the wider world — how we’re all connected and must care for the earth for generations to come.”

Despite living in a city, I have been able to maintain a connection with nature. Although it’s not the same as having a lot of open space right outside my door or living in the wild, I’m never too far from nature. A quick drive gets me to parks like D.W. Field Park, where I can escape the concrete jungle and find some peace. I feel more connected to the land than I do to a city, even when I’m close to a small patch of trees or a pond.

It’s not only spending time in nature, however. Art and stories seem to bridge that gap between the city and the earth, I’ve found. Whether music, literature, or even visual art, these means of expression allow me to engage with nature and history in a way that feels real and personal. Consider Cait Nishimura’s Lake Superior Suite. I’ve never even been to Lake Superior, but through her music, I feel like I can be connected to the land. It’s a way to bring a little of the rest of the world, even though I’m not there in person.”

 

When discussing ecological issues, we often focus on global crises like climate change, pollution, or deforestation. Environmental damage is more than a distant concern; it is a continuing threat to the survival of many women in the Global South. Women in many parts of Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East are usually responsible for collecting water, firewood, and food for their families. Ecological destruction worsens; therefore, these resources become far harder to find, constantly forcing women and girls to travel greater distances. This consumes a meaningful amount of time. It also subjects them to several dangers like physical attacks and health risks. Getting water or collecting firewood often keeps young girls out of school while limiting how much women can earn, making economic differences even bigger. Good hygiene is quite important. A lack of clean water in many places seriously affects women’s health, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. Poor sanitation causes multiple active health problems. It also causes many infections. The option to turn on a faucet or the availability of proper sanitary facilities, viewed as completely normal by many people in the West, is a frequent, continuing difficulty for many women worldwide.

Ecofeminism is also not one monolithic movement—scholars handle it in various ways based on their cultural and economic viewpoints. Two of the foremost authorities on the subject are Bina Agarwal and Laura Hobgood-Oster. Though both concur on the connection between women’s subordination and environmental degradation, they vary in emphasis. Western eco-feminists such as Hobgood-Oster are preoccupied with structure and ideology. They contend that patriarchal systems regard women and nature as objects to be controlled and exploited. Western ecofeminism will also deconstruct industrialization, capitalism, and gender hierarchies and include spiritual and philosophical perspectives. In contrast, Bina Agarwal, writing about the Global South, has a more materialist orientation. She coined the term feminist environmentalism, and for women in developing countries, environmental concerns are not symbolic—environmental concerns have direct, practical implications. In contrast to the Western ecofeminists who make ideology the prime concern, Agarwal emphasizes economic and survival-oriented issues that face women, including land rights, deforestation, and access to clean water. Although both viewpoints recognize that the domination of nature and women is mutual, Western ecofeminism is theoretical, whereas immediate survival needs drive non-Western ecofeminism.

For me, Agarwal’s view is more persuasive because it deals with concrete issues that confront millions of women today. Western ecofeminism does raise some valid ideological issues, but sometimes it does come across as too esoteric. Agarwal’s research, supported by facts and practical examples, makes the environmental issue an urgent priority for women in the developing world. Having said this, there is much to be learned from both perspectives. Western ecofeminism, especially, aims at deep-seated societal structures, whereas non-Western ecofeminism is concerned with pragmatic solutions. To successfully combat environmental and gender injustice, we require both policy interventions that prioritize the voices of women in the most impacted areas and theoretical critique. The struggle for environmental justice is the struggle for gender equality—because when nature is harmed, women, particularly women in the Global South, are the first to suffer.

 

 

Ecofeminism is a movement that combines elements of feminism and environmentalism, emphasizing the links between gender equality, ecological health, and social justice. According to Hobgood-Oster, “all forms of oppression are connected,” suggesting that we need to confront these issues simultaneously, as they are closely related (Hobgood-Oster, 1). This perspective indicates that both the challenges faced by women and the degradation of the environment originate from patriarchal systems that prioritize power over cooperation. Ecofeminist scholar Rosemary Ruether asserts that genuine freedom for women and effective solutions to environmental crises cannot exist in societies based on oppressive control. She states, “There can be no liberation for them [women] and no solution to the ecological crisis within a society whose fundamental model of relationships continues to be one of domination” (Ruether, 1996). Ecofeminism aims to confront and dismantle these oppressive structures, advocating for a society that values caring, respect, and diversity rather than dominance. Hobgood-Oster emphasizes the need to move away from strict hierarchies and embrace “radical diversity and relationship,” inspired by nature’s rich variety and the feminist commitment to valuing differences (Hobgood-Oster, 3). Although ecofeminism addresses the intersections between gender, race, and environmental issues, it also faces criticism for potential essentialism, perpetuating racism, and a focus that is predominantly Western. Critics argue that the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups are often simplified or ignored. Nevertheless, the foundational belief of ecofeminism endures: the oppression of women and environmental degradation are deeply interconnected, and addressing both is crucial for creating a fairer and more sustainable world.

The 2017 film Wonder Woman provides a cultural example of the woman-nature connection, showcasing ecofeminist themes through its portrayal of Amazonian women. Diana Prince, raised on Themyscira, an island where the Amazons live in harmony with nature, embodies the ecofeminist idea of women and nature in balance. On Themyscira, the Amazons respect the earth and live in ecological and social harmony, offering a vision of empowerment grounded in environmental care. As a warrior and protector of the land, Wonder Woman exemplifies this ideal. Her deep connection to nature contrasts with the destruction she witnessed during World War I. Diana’s belief that humanity should live in harmony with nature challenges patriarchal systems that exploit both women and the earth. Her respect for life, rather than domination, aligns with Hobgood-Oster’s critique of the mechanistic worldview that separates humans from nature. In this sense, Wonder Woman presents an ecofeminist vision where women and nature are equally valued and protected.

Where women are primarily responsible for collecting water for their families. The growing scarcity of clean water, driven by climate change, deforestation, and over-extraction, disproportionately impacts women, exacerbating both gender inequality and environmental harm. Ecofeminism underscores the intersection between the oppression of women and the exploitation of natural resources. In this region, women don’t only bear the responsibility of securing water but also endure the physical strain of traveling long distances to gather it from unreliable sources. This situation reflects patriarchal systems that place the burden of care work on women while ignoring the ecological consequences of unsustainable resource use. Water depletion is further fueled by large-scale industrial activities such as agriculture, mining, and urban expansion, which prioritize economic growth over sustainable water management. These environmental impacts degrade ecosystems that women rely on for food, medicine, and livelihoods. Many women are leading grassroots movements advocating for water justice, raising awareness about climate change, and challenging policies that harm the environment. By empowering women to lead these efforts, ecofeminism emphasizes interconnectedness, care, and respect for both human and non-human life, advocating for solutions that address both gender and environmental justice.

 

Hello everyone, I joined this class late, so I wanted to introduce myself. My name is McAnthony Bernard, and I’m a senior at UMass Dartmouth studying Business Management. I’m particularly interested in the construction industry from a business management perspective. I’m originally from the Bahamas but now live in Brockton. My family is also connected to UMass Dartmouth—my younger brother is currently a freshman here as well. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym with friends, playing video games, and working on my clothing brand, Angels Gift. 

For this assignment, I read the blog article “18 Life-Learnings from 18 Years of The Marginalian” from the Philosophy collection. As a graduating student, this article stood out to me because it offers advice on navigating life. One lesson that connected with me was choosing joy. It reminded me that happiness is a choice, not just something that happens. As I enter the workforce, I want to find a career that I enjoy, not just one that pays well. The blog also emphasized appreciating the small moments in life. It made me realize that success isn’t just about big achievements but also about finding meaning in everyday experiences. This lesson is something I’ll carry with me as I move forward.

One way this blog may serve as a model for my work is in how it distills complex ideas into an engaging and accessible narrative. The author’s ability to explore deep philosophical concepts while maintaining clarity is something I admire, particularly when trying to communicate challenging ideas. The blog’s reflections on life, joy, and resilience demonstrate how meaningful insights can be shared in a way that resonates both personally and universally. However, the blog primarily focuses on philosophical musings, which differs from my focus. While its themes encourage introspection and creative exploration, my work requires balancing abstract principles with more practical applications. Nonetheless, the blog serves as a reminder that even complex ideas can be relatable through storytelling and thoughtful reflection.

The city of Brockton, where I’m from, is facing increased flood risks due to climate change, with more frequent and severe rainfall overwhelming the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure. Low-lying areas near rivers and streams are especially vulnerable. To address these challenges, the city is exploring green infrastructure solutions such as wetlands and permeable surfaces. With the support of federal and state funding, Brockton is working to improve stormwater management, reduce environmental impacts like water pollution, and strengthen its climate resilience for the future.

18 Life-Learnings from 18 Years of The Marginalian