What about the "nice guys?"
I think the discussion held between Tempest Williams and Lopez touches on a very sensitive subject. I think it is an interesting point that they brought up but I do think that they are only seeing one side of the issue. To say that the bodies of women and nature are both “subjugated� by men seems to be making a generalization. Stereotypically, some young men, especially in high school and college, are looked up to if they frequently engage in sexual intercourse with multiple partners. If all men were this way, however, I don’t think women would fall in love nearly as much as they do. Because, honestly, what woman would fall in love with a man who just uses her for her body? Therefore, not all men just use women for their bodies. There are plenty of genuine men in the world who have a serious respect for women and their bodies. I also do not think that it is fair just to point the finger at men. I am sure that there are many women in this world who do not care about men and their feelings and instead just use them for their bodies. I think it is very one sided to just blame men for this misdeed since I think it overlaps in both genders.
As far as nature is concerned, I think the same principle holds true. I do believe that men “subjugate� nature as seen in Tempest Williams’ “Burrowing Owls.� I also believe that this might be seen more prevalently with men than with women, but I am sure that women are guilty of mining nature to some degree as well. I think that since women are usually much more in-tune with their emotions and have more of a sensitive side, it is easier for them to see how their actions will affect others. Therefore, when it comes to nature, it is easier for women to show more respect towards it and to connect more deeply with it. I do think men, since they are not as in-tune with their emotions, are unable to connect as deeply to nature as women can. This being said, many men do tend to see nature as something they can “dominate.� I agree with Lopez that this problem stems from men’s lack of intimacy within themselves. I think that if they were more in touch with their emotions and how their actions affect others, they would have a greater respect for nature and for women as well. Overall, I think that Lopez was speaking some truth in the discussion, but I really think that she was over-generalizing because I know that a vast number of men do not just use women for their bodies and disrespect nature. A lot of men long for a beautiful and lasting relationship with one woman and they also respect nature and its beauty as well.