Cob: Re: we're not in Kansas anymore...

[Carla Kennedy]

Douglas,

You make some good points.  I can't argue with any of them, but I do want to 
make a point about the validity of women-only workshops.  There is a 
different vibe in a group of women than in a mixed group.  It's more 
nonthreatening and we act differently.  Even when the men are ones we love 
and respect dearly.  Women may be quicker to attempt things they wouldn't 
otherwise.  Like math and science classes for girls only, sometimes it's 
just easier for us to shine when we're not unconsciously allowing the guys 
to show off.  Cultural or genetic, we're just wired differently.  It's all 
okay.

Peace,
Carla


>From: Douglas Ketler Scheffer <douglas at skyweb.net>
>Reply-To: Douglas Ketler Scheffer <douglas at skyweb.net>
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: Re: Cob: Re: we're not in Kansas anymore...
>Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 13:20:08 -0600
>
>Being a man, I have never taken one of Becky's workshops and I can
>not comment on the "gender specific" building knowledge that she may
>or may not impart to her students. Furthermore, I am not aware of any
>aspect of cob building that is gender specific. Becky has written a
>wonderful instruction book on Cob building, but there is no mention
>of any building tasks that would be performed better by one gender
>over another.
>
>I believe the exclusion of men from such workshops could be the
>result of a centuries old, male dominated building industry that has
>resulted in some pretty horrifying mutations of homes and
>communities. Men also have a seemingly biological propensity to take
>over physical labor in the presence of a woman. And... as long as I
>am generalizing about men on the building site, they also have a
>tendency to drink beer, belch with out saying "excuse me," they over
>indulge in using noisy power tools and toxic chemicals, they spew
>profanities, whistle at woman and make lewd cat calls, not to mention
>their general unconsciousness of the delicate balance existing in
>nature, and their supposed inability to express true emotions. Over
>all we are can be "generalized" as some pretty ill-mannered beasts.
>
>You would think there would be a heightened level of consciousness by
>those of us participating in a movement like natural building. You
>would think such a movement would attract men, women, and children of
>all ages and races who would simply want to fulfill a humble and
>basic desire for living simply in a natural environment and finding
>peace with themselves and their neighbors. You would also think the
>people in this movement would want to foster an environment of mutual
>respect and shared responsibility regardless of ones gender, to
>create an example of equality where we attempt to overcome the
>destructive separatist patterns that got us in this social mess in
>the first place. But don't think that, because you will be
>generalizing an entire group of people much like those who
>discriminate against someone interested in natural building because
>of their gender.
>
>The truth is there is no equality in the act of role reversal, it is
>simply the other side of the same ugly coin. True empowerment can
>only thrive when there are adversities to overcome, and that requires
>an environment diversity. After all, we would not be natural builders
>if their were not synthetic builders out there to motivate us.
>
>The natural act of building, creating, nurturing, and individual
>expression does not know the boundaries of gender, race or age until
>they are manifested within ones self.
>
>I am not suggesting there is the possibility of utopian society but
>lets at least at least make an effort to accomplish a better way then
>simply reversing the age old models passed on to us.
>
>However, I could be wrong about all of this... after all I am a man.
>
>Douglas
>
>
>
>
>
>>Why only women?  How would a men-only natural building workshop go over?
>>Am I missing something here?
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Kit Maloney <lunakits at yahoo.com>
>>To: <coblist at deatech.com>
>>Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 5:37 PM
>>Subject: Cob: we're not in Kansas anymore...
>>
>>
>>>  > From: Heather Docksteader
>>>  > To: elkec at island.net
>>>  >
>>>  >
>>>  > I have been reading about cob and other natural
>>>  > building for the past year or longer and am very
>>>  > interested in building our own home with cob and
>>>  > recycled materials. We live in N.E. Kansas and as
>>>  > far as I can tell no workshops are anywhere near.
>>>
>>>  the closest cob course that I've seen is one given by
>>>  Groundworks. That course takes place in Arkansas and I
>>>  think it is for women only. You can probably find out
>>>  more from their website:
>>>  www.cpros.com/~sequoia
>>>
>>>  good luck!
>>>  Kit Maloney
>>>
>>>  __________________________________________________
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>>>  http://auctions.yahoo.com/
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>>>

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