Activism and Ecofeminist Literature

Abstract

Many noted ecofeminist critics and scholars from the First World and postcolonial nations like Vandana Shiva, Arundhati Roy, Wangari Maathai, Starhawk, Rosemary Radford Ruether and Alice Walker, through their writings as well as direct line of action, have brandished the hegemonic apparatuses responsible for the exploitation of marginalized classes and nature. However, the ecofeminist thought and practice of these activists seem to be a house divided against itself in terms of beliefs, ideologies and practices. Some belong to the liberal reformist camp, some operate under the material ecofeminist approach, some are cultural/spiritual ecofeminists, whereas some may not just want to be labelled as ecofeminists. The present chapter will focus on how activism and writings are used by ecofeminists as a means of active resistance, and whether their ecofeminist writings have brought about a real change in the world. Another interesting aspect to be looked at is that though the theory and praxis of the First World and postcolonial ecofeminists are divergent, do their writings or activism meet at any intersectional axis that cuts across the lines of race, colour, class or sex?