If I break the rules, I'll confess:
A couple of weeks ago, I broke the rules. I took a small child to the mall, and I wanted to allow him to ride on the easter train (he loved the peek-a-boo bunny) and I am a sucker for making kids happy. I didn't have any cash. So, instead of taking money from the ATM (with big fees) I discovered it would be cheaper to go into a department store and buy something and get cash back. I found a winter hat on clearance for $2.
So, I bought a winter hat, and child's easter train ride!
Another time I went to hear one of my feminist heroes speak (she's in her 80's). I didn't bring any money, but I bought her new book in order to have it signed for a friend (another one of my feminist heroes). It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm convinced.
(Reading material is my weakness, although usually I get books used or from the library)
Then (this is the embarrassing one) I went to Whole foods for some dinner, and I founed a writing magazine in the checkout line and bought it (I NEVER buy magazines).
No excuse except that literally, I momentarily forgot about my commitment to buy nothing new.
I'm doing my best... or making a valiant effort... I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Buying Nothing New and Self-Sacrafice
My feminist has staged an internal debate with my environmentalist. It goes like this:
American Feminist:
Women are expected to do all of the self-sacrificing in our culture in order to be perceived (and self-perceived) as good, moral beings. We give, give, give, to and care, care, care, for our families, our friends, the organizations we are a part of, until we have no time or resources left for our self. Often it is hard for us to answer the question, "what to I need? What do I want?" Why now, take on buying nothing new, as a women. I mean, it should be somebody else's turn to do the sacrificing!
Environmentalist:
The economic principle of 20/80. According to Malcolm Gladwell, in the Tipping Point, 20 percent of people have 80 percent of the impact in (you name it)
eg. 20 percent of the earth's population (that's the USA by the way) use 80 percent of the world's resources. 20 percent of criminals commit 80 percent of crimes.
Perhaps then, 20percent of people do 80 percent of the work to... (save the planet)
Yes, other people should be doing the self sacrificing... like AIG, or GM execs. Give up your personal jet or example... But the simple facts are that they won't. They live by an attitude of entitlement. Our capitalistic culture does not give them props for self-sacrifice and good deeds. Instead they are rewarded for representing and glorifying an image overabundance that is meant to keep everybody else in pursuit.
Eco-Feminist - world citizen:
Feminism is a world view. Feminism sees the world in terms of relationships and mutuality. The earth and the poor, and the women... we are all connected. Everything I do affects everyone else and the earth. If I gain at the expense of the earth and my sisters and brothers around the world, I lose. If I try to listen to the ones (and the earth) that has not been given a voice in our culture... if I try to honor what they do, and their messages... If I pursue conversations about justice for all beings and the earth, I win. Forget about the fat-cats. According to Rene Gerard, Satan casts out Satan. Be part of the 20 percent that does 80 percent of Environmental justice
American Feminist-
That task is too big... Lets make it smaller: What actions are reasonable that do make a difference and without completely sacrificing everything. As a feminist I should include myself in the circle of beings for whom I pursue justice. We all deserve pleasures, and I shouldn't deny myself all pleasure in the pursuit of justice.
What is pleasure and where do desires come from? Perhaps there is room for analysis.
Has a consumerist society manufactured this desire I have for XYZ?
If I live without it, or get it used, how much will it hurt me?
Can I get an equal amount of satisfaction from some other activity... perhaps being a part of a world-changing movement?
Feel free to add to the debate
American Feminist:
Women are expected to do all of the self-sacrificing in our culture in order to be perceived (and self-perceived) as good, moral beings. We give, give, give, to and care, care, care, for our families, our friends, the organizations we are a part of, until we have no time or resources left for our self. Often it is hard for us to answer the question, "what to I need? What do I want?" Why now, take on buying nothing new, as a women. I mean, it should be somebody else's turn to do the sacrificing!
Environmentalist:
The economic principle of 20/80. According to Malcolm Gladwell, in the Tipping Point, 20 percent of people have 80 percent of the impact in (you name it)
eg. 20 percent of the earth's population (that's the USA by the way) use 80 percent of the world's resources. 20 percent of criminals commit 80 percent of crimes.
Perhaps then, 20percent of people do 80 percent of the work to... (save the planet)
Yes, other people should be doing the self sacrificing... like AIG, or GM execs. Give up your personal jet or example... But the simple facts are that they won't. They live by an attitude of entitlement. Our capitalistic culture does not give them props for self-sacrifice and good deeds. Instead they are rewarded for representing and glorifying an image overabundance that is meant to keep everybody else in pursuit.
Eco-Feminist - world citizen:
Feminism is a world view. Feminism sees the world in terms of relationships and mutuality. The earth and the poor, and the women... we are all connected. Everything I do affects everyone else and the earth. If I gain at the expense of the earth and my sisters and brothers around the world, I lose. If I try to listen to the ones (and the earth) that has not been given a voice in our culture... if I try to honor what they do, and their messages... If I pursue conversations about justice for all beings and the earth, I win. Forget about the fat-cats. According to Rene Gerard, Satan casts out Satan. Be part of the 20 percent that does 80 percent of Environmental justice
American Feminist-
That task is too big... Lets make it smaller: What actions are reasonable that do make a difference and without completely sacrificing everything. As a feminist I should include myself in the circle of beings for whom I pursue justice. We all deserve pleasures, and I shouldn't deny myself all pleasure in the pursuit of justice.
What is pleasure and where do desires come from? Perhaps there is room for analysis.
Has a consumerist society manufactured this desire I have for XYZ?
If I live without it, or get it used, how much will it hurt me?
Can I get an equal amount of satisfaction from some other activity... perhaps being a part of a world-changing movement?
Feel free to add to the debate
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
introduction to buying nothing new
I've realized the need to explain my motives for buying nothing new for a year.
First, a disclaimer: this practice is by no means a glorification of poverty. I know that much of working class America has been living more sustainably by force and it is really irritating when middle and upper income level people all of a sudden decide to "renounce things" and feel self-righteous about it. This is one of my personal pet-peeves. The poor don't get righteous points for "living simply."
What I intend here, is a re-imagining of an American economy and an act of resistance.
We have the power to look at the consumerist approach to advertising and say, "no thank you" We can analyze the media and say, "Actually, if I bought nothing new this year, I would not be any worse for the wear" I hope in the new economy we are active participants and we don't need to passively absorb American Consumerist values. We can make our own values and control / manufacture our own desires. Our desire for relationships and meaning do not need to be masked as a desire for shiny new stuff.
I am convinced there is enough stuff in the world (possibly even enough stuff in my closet) for all of us to live on "nothing new" for a long time.
The new American economy doesn't need to produce an overabundance of stuff and make more of landfills of trash and pollution while the majority of the world starves and dies of preventable diseases (some which are due to that pollution).
So, lets all try to consume less and instead, create egalitarian relationships with all beings everywhere and the earth.
First, a disclaimer: this practice is by no means a glorification of poverty. I know that much of working class America has been living more sustainably by force and it is really irritating when middle and upper income level people all of a sudden decide to "renounce things" and feel self-righteous about it. This is one of my personal pet-peeves. The poor don't get righteous points for "living simply."
What I intend here, is a re-imagining of an American economy and an act of resistance.
We have the power to look at the consumerist approach to advertising and say, "no thank you" We can analyze the media and say, "Actually, if I bought nothing new this year, I would not be any worse for the wear" I hope in the new economy we are active participants and we don't need to passively absorb American Consumerist values. We can make our own values and control / manufacture our own desires. Our desire for relationships and meaning do not need to be masked as a desire for shiny new stuff.
I am convinced there is enough stuff in the world (possibly even enough stuff in my closet) for all of us to live on "nothing new" for a long time.
The new American economy doesn't need to produce an overabundance of stuff and make more of landfills of trash and pollution while the majority of the world starves and dies of preventable diseases (some which are due to that pollution).
So, lets all try to consume less and instead, create egalitarian relationships with all beings everywhere and the earth.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Not buying anything NEW for a year
Recently, a friend told me about an article in the Christian Science monitor she read about a family that decided not to buy anything new for a year. I've decided to try it. I hope to post some creative, fun, inspiring stories... Maybe it will catch on!
Invitation: If you are so inspired, post your own stories of "used" experiences here. Or, take the challenge with me!! The idea is to share ideas.
Rules: Can buy new: food, medical treatment, car repairs if necessary.. I will try to barter as much as possible for things like: a hair cut
starting: 3/21/09
The significance of this starting date is that it was the birthday of a 13 year old neighbor, Rachel. I thought about getting her art supplies for her birthday. I have tons of art supplies. So, I gave her a bag full of my spare paint brushes, paints, magazines to cut up, pipe cleaners. I made her a mixed CD with songs already on my play-list.
Rachel, honey, I am sorry I did not really explain the philosophy behind that present bag full of used art stuff and mixed CDs of poor quality... I hope we can have that talk soon!
Invitation: If you are so inspired, post your own stories of "used" experiences here. Or, take the challenge with me!! The idea is to share ideas.
Rules: Can buy new: food, medical treatment, car repairs if necessary.. I will try to barter as much as possible for things like: a hair cut
starting: 3/21/09
The significance of this starting date is that it was the birthday of a 13 year old neighbor, Rachel. I thought about getting her art supplies for her birthday. I have tons of art supplies. So, I gave her a bag full of my spare paint brushes, paints, magazines to cut up, pipe cleaners. I made her a mixed CD with songs already on my play-list.
Rachel, honey, I am sorry I did not really explain the philosophy behind that present bag full of used art stuff and mixed CDs of poor quality... I hope we can have that talk soon!
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