Ecofeminism is a Liberating Force

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An ecofeminist lifestyle is one that parallels the beliefs of veganism and feminism and perpetuates the aim to not only grant freedom to all women, but rather all living creatures as well. One can achieve the idea of liberation, or at least work towards it, by adapting a vegan diet and implementing supplementary actions that align to beliefs of this lifestyle. Ecofeminism can be seen as a liberating force because individuals within this community strive to grant women freedom of their bodies and minds while simultaneously exemplifying the importance of ensuring the safety of animals and protecting them from routine violence of the animal agriculture industry.

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The normalized diet and preconceived beliefs held among the vast majority of individuals within the United States contradicts that of an ordinary ecofeminist. For people that go against the grain of society, especially when they are women, deciding to challenge the idea that it is necessary to consume animal products is a liberating force as it allows them to restore their independence. Sociology professor Anne DeLassio Parson solidifies this claim as she states that “This is my body. You don't get to tell me what comes in and out.” (Webber). This aides in further exemplifying that when women go against societal norms they have the potential for self liberation as they find their ingenuity and know that they are not negatively impacting the world around them in the process. Both animals and humans are living and breathing creatures that deserve to have rights to their bodies (Adams, 96). It is important in the ecofeminist movement to combine the liberation of both animals and women to prove the underlying point that all living beings deserve justice and equality. Within the ecofeminist movement it becomes clear that eating a vegan diet liberates the animals that are suffering as well as the women involved, as their struggle mirrors that of the animal to a great extent.

This image illustrates all of the positive outcomes, both physically and environmentally, of living a vegan lifestyle. (Sourced from Google Images)

The ecofeminist movement aims to give a voice to the voiceless and liberate the animals who are trapped in a vicious cycle of animal agriculture. Many people are unaware of where their food comes from and how they can personally impact the violent lifestyle these animals live by simply learning about animal agriculture or educating themselves about a vegan lifestyle. Ecofeminists are the driving force behind animal liberation because they understand the struggle that animals endure, while on the contrary, many men cannot comprehend the vision behind their fight. “On a symbolic level, masculinity is strongly linked to red meat, understood also as a symbol of virility and sexual prowess. Femininity instead is bound to sweetness, when conceptualized as sinful and irrational, or to vegetables, when conceived as asexual and pure” (Fegitz, 298). This reference to males and females and their link to different foods further exaggerates the cultural considerations surrounding the consumption of meat by men due to the societal expectations portrayed around them. The ecofeminist movement aims to limit this view of the world and instead exemplify the reality of animal exploitation and erase the preconceived notions of gender roles. Whereas many feminists stray away from eating meat and instead adapt to a vegan lifestyle for the purpose of self and animal liberation, men are socially and historically expected to eat meat as it illustrates their sexuality and is considered “manly”. Ecofeminists aim to undo this belief that meat is a necessity in the lives of many and instead push towards a green lifestyle that illustrates liberation for all.