Erin Brockovich is a movie about a young, out of work, single mother who lives in California. When Erin finds a job working with her lawyer she begins to investigate a local community because she notices the strange way their land being bought up by a giant oil corporation. She quickly finds that most of the people who are living on this land are extremely ill. It is made clear during the movie that this oil company (PG&E) was illegally dumping hazardous waste in the land and is buying it to cover up what they have done. As Erin fights to save the people and the land she represents many common stereotypes of women. She plays the role of hard working woman, single mother, and shows her attempts at a failed social/sex life.
Ecofeminism is very prevalent in this movie since Erin is constantly trying to justify her actions because she is a woman while she is trying to stand against a great treat to people and the environment. Erin tends to relate to the women and children in this community right away and gains their support from the beginning. As stated in out text “Environment crises affects men as well as women, of course, bit in terms of environmental health, woman and children show the effects of toxic pollution earlier than men do…” (Kirk, Okazawa-Rey). Erin instantly feels sympathy for these women who are too ill to take care of their ill children and decides that she will do everything in her power to seek redemption for these people.
Although it is initially only Erin who feels and understands the hardships people are enduring, she eventually convinces her boss that it is a case worth looking into. As soon as he sees the people and reads the case files he is also overcome with the desire to help. When they start to work together the people of the town begin to have hope that something will be done about the torture that they were forced to endure. While watching the movie I was reminded of the article “Rose Moon” we were asked to read in class. Throughout the article Steingraber explains the importance of taking action and not simply accepting that people should revel in their ignorance and accept the fate of toxic waste but they should act to do something about it. Erin Brockovich is a perfect example that environmental issues need to be taken out of the private and into the public.
In this case it was an organization on the public level that was affecting the town. However, they were attempting to make it a private issue by individually buying the land and ignoring the health issues of the town. Erin finally makes enough of a case to actively bring down the system involved with the dumping of the toxic waste in the town.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women and the Enviroment. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010
Steingraber, Sandra. Rose Moon. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010)
I have not seen this film yet, however I can remember when it first came out and a stir it made. the fact is that I think that films like this bring to light the idea that there is something we can do, if we are willing to step up and take responsibility for the environment around us. I think many people simply feel that they are to insignificant to make a difference, but they forget that once one person steps up, it gives others the incouragment to stand up to, and in time, that one insignificant person becomes a force. I am looking forward to watching this movie in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't for Erin and the law firm, who knows what Hinkley, CA would be like today. Toxic waste being illegally dumped in my community? Over my dead body! Rose Moon was very interesting to me because of the explanations of how, why and which toxins are bad and terrible for mother and child. Overall, I love you analysis and we both chose a great movie!
ReplyDeletelol, I totally meant to write 'I love your analysis....' oopsies :)
ReplyDeleteJanet, I also loved you analysis. For a good portion of the movie it's like Erin is fighting a two front war. She is battling with the company and she is battling with her gender. I love this movie and find it to be a very good example of the gaia theory. Erin accepted that she was part of people suffering and did not ignore and distance herself all the others around her.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom was obsessed with this movie for a while. I always came home to her watching it. I always thought it was interesting to see how a woman that people do not normally show respect for could achieve so much without having to change her identity.
ReplyDeleteI think that the image portrayed by Erin Brokovich is a very real life and positive image for girls.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Erin is so realistic and powerful, a very positive image for women and ecofeminism!
ReplyDeleteRecently I wrote a blog entry offering a leftist critique of the ideology of “Green” environmentalism, deep ecology, animal rights activism, eco-feminism, and lifestyle politics in general (veganism, “dumpster diving,” “buying organic,” etc.). I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the matter and any responses you might have to its criticisms.
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