Month: April 2023

Having adhered to a vegan diet for more than a week, I can attest that it was not as challenging as I had anticipated. Perhaps because I already lead a low-carb lifestyle, the alterations were not as extreme as I had envisioned. I also enjoy cooking and possess an innate talent for creating meals from whatever ingredients are on hand; so, food prep was easy. The hardest part of the process for me was shopping for the necessary ingredients for meal planning.

Image by Rose Costa

During my first trip to the supermarket, I quickly discovered that “vegan” food items were not readily available at the chain I shop, and the few that were available had exorbitant price tags. To keep my costs low, I resorted to shopping at multiple stores.

This realization was disheartening and troubling as it dawned on me that adopting a vegan lifestyle may not be a viable option for many individuals, particularly those belonging to marginalized communities who live in poverty. It begs the question, why is it less expensive to purchase a fast-food burger than to buy a package of vegan flat bread? The exploitation of healthier food options is undoubtedly a significant contributing factor to the high obesity rates prevalent in the United States.

My first day of veganism was easy. I had my usual protein shake for breakfast (plant protein instead of whey), and since I worked in Boston that day, my coworkers and I purchased lunch from the cafeteria. One of them suggested a Blueberry Burst Wrap, and it was delicious! The wrap was large, and I took half home for supper.

Unfortunately, after the long commute, I was so hungry when I got home, I forgot to take photos of the wrap, but captured the ingredients to make it again. I have made it twice since, and it tastes better each time.

The rest of the week, I followed simple recipes for foods I would typically make as side dishes to accompany meat entrees, carefully reading labels to ensure there were no meat products in the ingredients.

• Brown rice & black beans
• Tabbouleh
• Vegetable stew
• Mixed bean salad

  

 

One of my vegan friends was so excited that I was giving veganism a try, she offered to share some of her meals with me. Although I enjoyed some very tasty dishes that I had not thought of making before, I had not realized many were heavy on seasoning, which I am not particularly a fan of, but I customized the taste by adding other ingredients to make it more to my liking. Unfortunately, I changed the seasoning so much that I might never be able to replicate the taste again.

The meals my friend prepped for me consisted of an array of different foods (photos below), some which I tried for the first time, including vegan grape leaves and tofu. The vegan grape leaves with brown rice were delicious, and I have since made a variation with cabbage, but the tofu was a disappointment to me. There is something about the texture of tofu that I could not enjoy. This is not uncommon for someone who undergoes weight loss surgery, and although it has been over a decade, I still come across some foods, now and again, that I cannot eat.

• Thai curry beans
• Vegan grape leaves
• Tofu chicken boats
• Tofu chicken cucumber salad

  

Overall, I enjoyed the foods I cooked, and most importantly, I felt good about my decision to try veganism which was motivated by a desire to further explore the ethical dimensions of my relationship with food. At the end of my commitment, I feel the plan was successful in that it forced me to be more conscious about what I feed my body. I began scrutinizing food labels, a habit I had abandoned since my post-bariatric surgery, and surprisingly, when I came across meat-based ingredients, I felt a moral duty to not consume the products, a transformation I never thought possible since I had been a dedicated “medium-rare” steak consumer throughout my life.

Nonetheless, by avoiding animal products, I am confident that I have reduced animal suffering and minimized the environmental impact of animal agriculture, which was my original intention.

 

 

Furthermore, I am amazed by the positive effects of adopting a plant-based diet for just over a week. By day three, I had already noticed improvements in my digestion, as well as the absence of the energy dips that I typically experience between 1:00-2:00 pm.

I have also become more aware to how corporations exploit women and non-human animals through anthropornography, a subject that had previously escaped my attention. I am convinced that veganism is a step towards a more just and sustainable world that recognizes the interdependence of all living beings, and I have decided to continue this journey. I not only succeeded in fulfilling my personal ethical responsibility but also developed a stronger bond with the natural world, which is often overlooked and undervalued.

Throughout this semester, we have explored various topics related to gender and the environment that I had not previously given much consideration to. However, one particular topic that has piqued my interest is vegan feminism. Growing up in a traditional Portuguese-Brazilian family where churrasco (cookouts/BBQ) is a staple at family gatherings, I never thought about how my meat consumption was contributing to environmental destruction and the oppression of women and non-human animals.

As I delved deeper into the works of Curtin, Eisenberg, and Gaard, I was struck by the powerful connection between meat-eating and patriarchy. It was eye-opening for me to learn how the meat industry perpetuates patriarchal norms and reinforces the subjugation of those who are already disadvantaged by men. This realization caused me to reflect on my own contribution to the exploitation society considers acceptable and opened my mind to the idea that vegan feminism can be a form of activism.

These animals are often subjected to horrific conditions, including confinement, artificial insemination, and premature slaughter. Additionally, the production of animal products contributes significantly to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, which disproportionately affect women and other marginalized groups.

As a feminist, I strongly believe in the intersectionality of different forms of oppression, including sexism, racism, and environmental degradation. As an ecofeminist, I have decided to take a personal action to reduce one pressing environmental issue, the exploitation of female farm animals in the meat and dairy industry.

I have decided to go completely vegan for a week as a powerful way to reduce my carbon footprint, contribute to the fight against climate change and its impact on the environment, as well as a personal way to show solidarity with female animals. By abstaining from all animal products, I will also take a stand against the oppression and exploitation of animals while showing respect for the lives saved by eating a vegan diet.

In addition to the ethical and environmental reasons for adopting a vegan lifestyle, there are also numerous health benefits associated with this choice. Research has shown that a plant-based diet can lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and obesity, among other health conditions. By eliminating animal products from my diet, I am reducing my intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and other harmful substances that are prevalent in animal-based foods.

While it can be challenging to give up a lifelong diet that includes meat and dairy products, I am willing to make this change in order to reap the health, as well as the environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle. I understand that it may take time to adjust to new dietary habits and to learn how to prepare satisfying vegan meals, but I am committed to giving it my best effort.

Although the initial transition may be difficult, I know that I will feel better physically and mentally as a result of my choice. Moreover, I recognize that my decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle has far-reaching implications, not just for my own health but also for the health of the planet and the lives of non-human animals.

As I continue to learn more about ecofeminism and vegan food choices, I am inspired to act and advocate for change. I hope to share what I have learned with my family and friends and encourage them to consider the ethical and environmental implications of their dietary choices. By raising awareness and promoting compassionate, sustainable living, I believe we can create a more just and equitable world for all beings.

Finally, I believe that leading by example is one of the most effective ways to inspire change. By living a vegan lifestyle and demonstrating how it is possible to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals without animal products, I hope to encourage others to consider making changes in their own lives. Overall, I believe that my decision to go vegan aligns with my feminist values and allows me to make a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare.

“Vegan-feminism is an intervention that critiques and is visionary, that looks at individuals and at social structures, that deconstructs but also offers solutions. Vegan-feminism is always a question of now”  ~ Carol Adams

For those interested, here is a helpful  beginner friendly 7-day vegan meal plan. 

Get our 7-Day Healthy Vegan Meal Plan | Beginner Friendly, Protein-Rich

 

The connection between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature is a complex and multifaceted issue that has gained increasing attention in recent years. A common argument among feminists is that societal structures and justifications rely on categorical or dualistic hierarchies, which are used to perpetuate patriarchy (Hobgood-Oster, 2-3). These systems that have historically subjugated women have also contributed to the degradation and exploitation of the natural world. Feminists also argue that the same values that promote domination and control over women also promote exploitation and destruction of the environment. This is because both women and nature are seen as passive resources to be exploited for the benefit of men, without regard for their intrinsic value or autonomy.

The Chipko Movement in India during the 1970s demonstrated the connection between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature, as women came together to protect their environment and livelihoods against government and corporate attempts to destroy forests for profit. The movement began when women spontaneously embraced trees in response to the government’s decision to allot forest area to a sports goods company while denying locals the right to use wood for making agricultural tools.

By protecting forests, women demonstrated their commitment to preserving resources that were crucial for their families and communities, highlighting the need for women’s voices to be heard in decision-making processes related to the environment. The success of the movement in achieving a 15-year ban on green felling in the Himalayan forests of Uttar Pradesh is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and community activism, which has inspired environmental activism in India and beyond, while generating pressure for a more sustainable and equitable approach to resource management.

However, at the root of this issue lies the deeper issue of disempowerment, which affects both marginalized women and the environment. Women and nature are both seen as subordinate to men and human society, and their needs and interests are often ignored or dismissed. This has led to a situation where women are disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and environmental degradation, and where the natural world is being destroyed at an alarming rate.

The disturbing image of nine-year old Paulo Henrique, a Brazilian child who was photographed immersed in a canal filled with garbage serves as a striking example of the destructive consequences of environmental degradation on impoverished communities. The polluted canal and the environmental degradation in Recife is the result of industrialization and urbanization, which prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. The waste and pollution generated by these activities disproportionately affect the poor and marginalized communities who live in close proximity to these industries.

Paulo’s situation of having to collect recyclables in the contaminated water is a poignant reminder of how extreme poverty and economic inequality can lead to environmental collapse. Nonetheless, behind the material deprivations and cultural losses of the marginalized and the poor, lie the deeper issues of disempowerment and environmental degradation. The marginalized communities in Recife are often denied access to basic services like education, healthcare, and sanitation. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty that forces children like Paulo to scavenge for scraps in order to survive.

According to Vice Media Group, many of the 6,500 children who live in the slums in the Arruda and Campina Barreto neighborhoods on Recife’s north side, pick through trash to make a living, just like Paulo does; however, it was only after his image appeared in the press that the local government and international authorities took notice of their plight. In response to the photo and the accompanying article, the government promised to place Paulo, his mother, and her fiancé in a home where they could live (Corrêa, 2014).

Paulo Henrique’s heartbreaking story is not an isolated incident. Paulo’s tragic story is a sad and powerful reminder of the intersectionality of poverty, environmental degradation, and the exploitation of the marginalized. The widespread nature of such activities highlights a systemic problem caused by inadequate waste management policies, weak enforcement, and economic policies that neglect the most vulnerable members of society.

Thousands of children are trapped in similar conditions, living in the slums of Recife and other Brazilian states including Rio de Janeiro, the city of Carnival, Samba, and soccer. What makes their plight worse is that most slums have very narrow streets and are not accessible by larger vehicles, including ambulances and waste management trucks. Slum residents must rely on city workers who make long and often dangerous trips into the slums on bicycles to collect trash that sits on street corners for weeks at a time, waiting for collection. In some remote areas of the slums not even accessible by bicycles, city workers must rappel off embankments to clean out the trash.

Paulo’s story is a compelling example of how different types of oppression against women and marginalized communities intersect with environmental degradation, reinforced by patriarchal values that prescribe the subjugation of these groups to men and the natural environment’s subordination to human domination.

The global reality of impoverished families facing environmental degradation and exploitation serves as a harsh reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of poverty. The intersectionality of various forms of oppression, including patriarchy and environmental degradation, has further excluded women from decision-making processes related to environmental issues and resulted in the perpetuation of exploitation and adverse effects to the health of both humans and the environment.

To combat this, it is important to acknowledge the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues and continue the shift towards feminism and the fight for women’s right to be included in decision-making processes.

The shift, although gradual, has been made possible by the efforts of women from all walks of life who have worked tirelessly to create a more equitable society. These women’s work on ecofeminism is especially relevant today, as we witness the devastating effects of climate change and environmental degradation on communities across the globe.

One such woman is Ivone Gebara, a Brazilian feminist theologian, philosopher, and writer.

Gebara’s work is primarily concerned with feminist theory and theology, examining the role of women in religion and how patriarchal structures shape their experiences. Her contributions to promoting ecofeminism, a term not found in Brazilian dictionaries (Gerbara 93), have been vital.

Moreover, she is a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights, speaking out against poverty, racism, and discrimination. Her work highlights the need to view these issues as interconnected and suggests that meaningful progress in the feminist movement requires addressing the systemic issues that lead to gender inequality and environmental destruction.

Gebara’s work has had a significant impact in Brazil, where she has played an important role in inspiring a new generation of feminist theologians and writers to fight for the rights of poor and marginalized women who suffer daily from the consequences of a patriarchal society, compounded by a global system that places a capitalist domination on nature and human relationships. This system enslaves and holds people hostage everywhere, especially women who are forced to live their lives as “jailed” prisoners with no means to choose alternatives for a better life (Gebara 96).

Wangari Maathai is another remarkable woman who dedicated a life to shifting the feminist needle toward environmental healing. Maathai achieved several notable firsts during her lifetime, including being the first African woman to receive the  Nobel Peace Prize and being the first female scholar from East and Central Africa to take a doctorate (in biology), and the first female professor ever in her home country of Kenya.

Maathai’s dedication to protecting the environment was fundamental to her activism, and she utilized her expertise and knowledge to establish the Green Belt Movement on Earth Day in 1977 in Kenya, with a program to encourage farmers (70% of whom were women) to establish “Green Belts” to prevent soil erosion, provide shade, and create a source of lumber and firewood. She distributed seedlings to rural women and implemented an incentive scheme based on the number of surviving seedlings. As a result of this initiative, over fifteen million trees have been planted, creating income for eighty thousand individuals in Kenya alone. The success of the movement has resulted in its growth to more than thirty African countries, the United States, and Haiti (The Green Belt Movement 2020).

Maathai’s work helped address environmental degradation while also promoting economic empowerment and gender equality. Her impact on the world was widely recognized, and she continues to inspire people around the globe, particularly women and girls who are striving to break down barriers and pursue their goals in male-dominated fields. Her work demonstrates the importance of education, environmental activism, and social justice, and her many firsts serve as a reminder of the potential for positive change that can be achieved by determined individuals.

Wangari Maathai passed away on October 7, 2011.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki presided over a state funeral in Nairobi, which marked another historic first moment as Maathai became the first woman and only the third Kenyan to receive this honor. True to her activism and love for the environment until the very end, this remarkable woman who repeatedly risked her life to protect the trees of Kenya and denounced President Daniel Arap Moi’s proposal to erect a sixty-two-story skyscraper in the middle of Nairobi’s largest park (The Green Belt Movement 2020), made it clear that no tree should be cut down to make her coffin. Instead, her body was to be placed in a casket made from natural materials such as hyacinth, papyrus, and bamboo and later cremated (Joselow 2011).

Maathai was a trailblazing environmentalist and fearless advocate for social justice and environmental protection, and her legacy serves as a reminder of the power of grassroots activism and the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.

Works Cited:

Corrêa, T. (2014, January 30). The Brazilian Slum Children Who Are Literally Swimming in Garbage. https://www.vice.com/en/article/kwpwja/the-brazilian-slum-children-who-are-literally-swimming-in-garbage-0000197-v21n1

Cstraight Media – http://www.cstraight.com. (n.d.). Speak Truth to Power | The Green Belt Movement. http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai/key-speeches-and-articles/speak-truth-to-power

Gebara, I. (2003). “Ecofeminism: A Latin American Perspective.” Cross Currents. https://tinyurl.com/4jkwbjbd

Hobgood-Oster, Laura. “Ecofeminism: Historic and International Evolution.” Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature, edited by Bron Taylor, Continuum, London & New York , 2005, pp. 533–539, http://www.religionandnature.com/ern/sample/Hobgood-Oster–Ecofeminism.pdf.

Joselow, G. (2011, October 8). Kenya Says Final Goodbye to Wangari Maathai. VOA. https://www.voanews.com/a/hundreds-attend-state-funeral-of-african-nobel-peace-laureate-131381873/146347.html