http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180926-akashinga-all-women-rangers-in-africa-fighting-poaching
I realize this article does not directly correlate to the themes of our current readings, however, this article not only discusses the current battle against poaching, but also empowering women who have survived horrific pasts. It combines environmental studies of changing how Africa currently addresses poaching with social studies on improving lives for women in poverty and abuse. This article was introduced to me in my Environmental Issues in Southern Africa course and I could not resist sharing it on this blog because, to me, it is revolutionary, yet I would have never heard of the Akashinga. In a way it brings me to Cesaire's A Tempest, because their general is a white male, but rather than enforcing his own beliefs and destroying these native African's culture like Prospero, he embraces their backgrounds and allows them to rise above their lowly positions. These women have proved incredibly successful as rangers, despite the push back and degradation from those who strictly believe this is a man's position. I would like to know what yall's thoughts are for how to improve community acceptance of the Akashinga, and do yall think people will ever truly be okay with the idea of an armed African woman in uniform fighting for conservation? Why do people even have an issue with this in the first place? Do yall think using groups like these for global anti-poaching support (like suggested in the article) is really a negative concept, or can all female groups be used for both women's rights AND animals' rights?
I believe that people will eventually be accepting of African women in uniform, though the day this occurs will, unfortunately, be much too far in the future. Perhaps these rangers could increase their community engagement to increase feelings of benevolence towards them, and to demonstrate that they are useful and productive members of society. The fact that women hold positions of power has long upset many people, perhaps because it defies the common practice of placing women in positions of domesticity. This is an "unusual" practice in many people's eyes, and thus it causes severe discomfort. I believe that all-female groups could be used for both women's rights and animal's rights, as both are progressive, beneficial ideals.
ReplyDeleteI agree with West. Although the progress will not first seem apparent, I believe that people will gradually become more accepting of African women in uniform. People had an issue with this in the first place because it simply went against the norm. The norm being men fighting on the frontlines and women tending to family needs. I think that all female groups can be used for both women’s rights and animals’ rights. Almost like a “killing two birds with one stone” solution. There should be nothing wrong with a group fighting for two causes. I also liked how you found a way to connect this article with A Tempest.
ReplyDeleteBecause of sexism engraved all over the world for so long, men accepting women in the army isn't gonna be an easy task. This has been a progressive movement, considering women in the US military, but that wasn't an easy or short fight either. Yet, I don't know enough about the African culture to be able to estimate how long it'll take, but I reckon it'll be quite a while before every man is okay with it. I think this is ironic, though, as "only three women dropped out – an astonishing rate, considering that the majority of male ranger recruits he worked with in the past typically quit in the first days of try-outs." Women have been underestimated for too long, but it makes me happy to see these women out there in the field, and female groups can be used to promote both women's and animal's rights. Their resilience despite men's underestimation of their power reminds me of how strong Esch is in Their Eyes Were Watching God, staying strong to protect her family, herself, and her baby, despite being underestimated and treated horrible by men in the book.
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