"When we love ourselves we are free to love others! The only
liberation we need is self-actualization!"
This is what I disagree with entirely, Angela. We need real
liberation, real concrete changes in order to be free. Oppression is
not in our heads. We can "self-actualize" all we want but the fact is
if we are women/black/poor/immigrants/not-heterosexual/of certain
religious backgrounds/etc. we are discriminated against and treated
quite differently. That is not something we individually can overcome.
It is something we must unite around and organize for change. I love
myself plenty and I do love others very much, but that is not what will
make me liberated. The end of male supremacy, homophobia and
capitalism will bring me closer to freedom, not actualizing myself,
whatever that means!
I think we have real political differences. My work is in collective
struggle and radical feminism. That is how I believe real change is
made. I just don't agree with the idea that if we just put on rose
colored glasses and love ourselves, we'll be free. That is not our
history and I hope that is not our future. Our enemies will set us
back 100 years if we sit back and work on ourselves and let them go on
ruining the world.
Candi
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 1998 1:42 PM
To: STUDIES IN WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT
Subject: Re: Looking for Gaia spiritual and/or religious movements
In a message dated 98-10-22 11:58:17 EDT, you write:
<< I believe all people should be free and able
to control her/his own destiny without poverty, sexism, and racism
getting
in her/his way. But me believing this and trying to convince others to
believe this is not enough.
>>
Hi Candi,
You make some good points.
However,
If a person is in control of his/her own destiny then if things like
poverty,
sexism and racism get in his/her way - it is their own fault - right?
They
were afterall in control?
Of course they are not to blame!
Sometimes things BEYOND our own control - cause poverty, sexism and
racism -
now how can we help that person deal with that position they are in -
if they
poor, we can help provide for them, feed them, provide clothing,
provide jobs
and we can make laws that protect peoples rights and freedom and work
to have
them enforced. We can believe (like you) in the right to riches,
freedoms and
the protection of individual rights (I like that!) and help pass laws
and
provide through grass roots efforts. Now what we believe does help!
You/we
tell others to do the same thing and you start a chain reaction! Now
your
self-respect is spreading to others! The power of love has submerged!
The
big corporations can't stop us from spreading love - setting up soup
kitchens,
supporting campaigns in defense of woman's rights, boycotting companies
that
sell non-green products etc. When we love ourselves we are free to
love
others! The only liberation we need is self-actualization! Bullish on
people
who tell you that "you stand alone" or that "what you believe does not
count"
or that "greed is more powerful then love" they are wrong!
We need to feel sure about ourselves, believe in LOVE and know that
others
care and believe that we can make a difference!
Thanks!
Angela
"Kindness is contagious!"
