Reflections from the middle of week three - Fall 09

I think more than anything this week, I have been struck by the constant battle over Joe Wilson and whether or not he was being racist when he called Obama a liar. As a matter of fact, race has played a huge issue in commentaries this last week. For me this realization started with Serena William’s tirade during a tennis match then moved to Kanya West and his debacle at the VMAs. Oh, and yes, intermingled in this mosh pit is the unprofessional scene that Joe Wilson caused during Obama’s speech. Now, the first thing that commentators pointed out in each of these instances was race and/or some issue surrounding racism. Why? After sitting in class watching Tough Guise (again) I was reminded about how we look at race, gender, class, and sexual orientation in our country. When we think of each of those categories with think in terms of the minority identity not the majority. In other words: Black/Latino/Asian = race; gender = female; class = poor; sexual orientation = LGBT. So, why do we totally ignore the fact that white, male, str8, and wealthy = race, gender, sexual orientation, and class? Why do we also rank what should be nominal variables here as good or bad? I think Jackson Katz does an excellent job explaining how we got to this point. Our culture provides a good definition of systemic structures and dimensions of power. The next question is, “are these distributions change for the better or the worse?” I think in some cases, yes! I am surrounded by folks everyday who do not fit the stereotypical, socially constructed gender roles depicted in popular culture. Unfortunately, for the vast majority I am afraid it is getting worse. Models are getting thinner and posing in objectified and brutalized position, violence against women in film (and if real life) is more abundant than ever, and men are expected to be “tuffer” than ever. Is this what happens during war-time maybe? This is sort of my first war since I was really young during Vietnam. Is this why we are seeing these culturally defined roles magnified? I am not sure I have all the answer but maybe we can work together on them in class.

Blogging 101

I am finding myself extremely interested in blogging this semester. So, interested that I feel compelled to force students to join me (that's what we do here at WKU!) Just kidding! I plan to have my women's studies 200 class set up blogs this weekend and put in RSS subscription links! I will also follow each student's writing during the semester so if you are interested - read along!

Writing Whoas

As I was swimming today I realized that the first paper I was going to revise for publication was on my hard drive that crashed. No back-up anywhere either. That one was about a "done deal." I just needed to make some corrections to the conclusions and it was good to go.

I guess there are two ways to look at this. When I was placed on tenure track in July, I was told I would be basically starting with a clean slate. None of my publications, past awards, teaching experiences, community and university service, etc. counted toward my tenure and promotion. It is though I never existed in higher ed before. So, some karma goddess must have thought it would be appropriate for me to start this journey with no old folders, old files, past emails, or over-loaded hard drive as well. Thanks a lot!

School begins!

Well, writing must start now. It's all about tenure now instead of enjoyment but what the hell! I still have the Greener Groundz blog that I will keep updated with thing from my Gender, Justice, and Sustainability course this semester. It's going to be an awesome class. I am reading five new books for this course so it'll be interesting. They range from Silent Spring to Omnivores Dilemma to Gaia and God. Nice mix!

I do need to vent about my first day back though. I worked all day Sunday on my syllabi, course readings, assignments, etc. I saved everything in nice little folders so that I could upload on Blackbaord and print as need on Monday morning. Monday morning I bounced in my office only to find that my hard drive had crashed overnight. It's a new computer for Gaia's sake! After a very depressing chat with WKU IT (7000 for those of your who know), they said they would come fix it but not to get my hopes up. Okay, so It's Tuesday afternoon and still no IT! I called them back and emphasized how crucial it was that I get my computer running - they moved me up the list; still no IT. I have transfered my files across campus, from computer to computer, for the last 10-12 years or so. My dissertation, master's thesis, and, well, my entire lifes work (drama here) is on that damned computer. Good thing my iTunes are on my home PC!

I am going to finish up my Jane's Travel Blog readings the hop on my steel horse (Trek bike) and ride down the road into the dust of first year students driving way to fast on campus. I plan to finish my house cleaning instead of doing penny sake night at Samurai; maybe next week.

WS 499 - Directed Study in Sustainability

For the moment, this blog will be used to correspond with my WS 499: Directed Study in Sustainability course.

Note to students: We are reading Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

Carson's book in a primer ecofeminism and ecojustice - not really sure she knew that would be the case. Carson did know that our attempt to control our world, our environment, and our ecospheres would eventually be our demise. Carson left us with a legacy wrought with questions that still loom today.
In the new millennium, ecofeminist like Vandana Shiva, Karen Warren, Starhawk, and Rosemary Radford Ruether continue to pursue these questions from very different perspectives and backgrounds.

Our blogs will take us on that journey from roughly 1960 through present. Please use outside sources and explore this topic to the best of your ability!

New ideas!

It's been a while since I have written on this particular blog/subject. I have new ideas floating around in my head 1) because I have formed a new direction for my research and 2) because I have to WRITE now that I am on tenure track :-)

While I have shifted the aim of my research idea(s), I haven't particularly lost track of the important issues involving CAFTA/DRCAFTA/NAFTA. I still believe that these "acts" have done nothing more than exploit the already down-trodden. Who have they benefited? Ah, there's one research question! The next two things that have intrigued my interest is the whole idea of how buying local impact local economy and the farmer's market as a social network & the idea of "sense of place." In conjunction with these areas, my interest has peak in the area of participatory research methods. From what I gather, participatory research methods is much like participant observation mixed with field study. My question here, of course, would be reliability - always the statistician. I might even question the validity but I think I can work through these issues. Now, how can I pull all of this together?

One thing I do plan to do is start collecting data on my maiden voyage to Belize in January, 2010. Apparently, the Belize project participants from WKU began an expenditure log of everything they purchased in Gales Point, a remote island in Belize, in past trips. I'd be interested in seeing the economic impact of WKU students and faculty spending money in the village during their two-week stay. I think since there are about 450 folks in the village, it would make a great, manageable case study for what it means to be a locavore.

In terms of professional development that will aid in my research, I plan to become a degree-seeker again! In the fall I will begin the environmental health & safety graduate certificate program at WKU as well as find a J.D. program that specializes in environmental law (particularly one that concentrates on social justice issues). I think both of these programs will make me a better scholar, plus I'll be armed and dangerous with way too much EDUCATION!

Reflections

I joined this blog for two reasons: (1) because I wanted to explore using blog groups as a teaching tool and (2) because I wanted to start seriously thinking about the book I said I would write after I finished my dissertation. First, I really like social networking tools because they are both educational and empowering. Behind my online identity I have power! I feel confident and supported by my "net" groups - I don't feel this way face to face (f2f). F2f conversations and support are usually abrupt and ill conceived where as feedback from an online venue is thoughtful and calculated (in a good way :-)).

I think the majority of folks still see this venue as impersonal and cold. "How can you teach online when you can't have a f2f conversation?" It's hard to explain. I think they see it as time-consuming rather than an expedited process in which you can shift effortlessly when necessary then come back when you have the time and/or are emotionally equipped to express your thoughts truthfully and sincerely. I wish people would give it a shot because this is where our students live. This is the world they live in!

The upside is that I have started the thought process - I know now what this book will look like. I have started making connections, doing research, inquiring about education trips, etc. that will result in a publishable piece of work. I also have four friends who are concerned about the same things (roadblocks, time constraints, etc.) I am and we can talk about it via this blog.

The downside is the same downside I have with EVERYTHING! I always have way too many irons in the fire and I do everything about half-assed. One thing that I can say that has truly "turned a negative into a positive" from the experience is that I need to get some focus in my life - make everything connect. If doesn't connect then stop doing it!

Lesson learned...