Ecowomanism at the Panama Canal: Black Women, Labor, and Environmental Ethics

In Ecowomanism at the Panamá Canal: Black Women, Labor, and Environmental Ethics, Sofia Betancourt develops a transnational ecowomanist ethic that reclaims inherited environmental cultures across multiple sites of displacement. She argues that women in the African diaspora have a unique understanding of how a moral refusal to compromise their humanity provides the knowledge needed to survive environmental devastation, redefining our ideas of survival and leading to a value-centered, human life. This understanding is based on the experiences of West Indian women who built the Panamá Canal.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In her groundbreaking work "In Ecowomanism at the Panamá Canal: Black Women, Labor, and Environmental Ethics," Sofia Betancourt develops a transnational ecowomanist ethic that reclaims inherited environmental cultures across diverse sites of displacement. Betancourt posits that as survivors of unimaginable hardships, cultural carriers, and individuals who have never been allowed to reject or forget their own embodiment, women in the African diaspora possess a unique understanding of how a moral refusal to compromise their humanity provides the necessary insight to survive the unprecedented environmental devastation. This wisdom redefines our concept of survival, offering us profound insights into what it means to live a value-centered and humane life. Drawing from the moral wisdom of women in the African diaspora, this understanding of human nature and its interconnectedness with all of creation is rooted in the experiences of West Indian women, who were brought to Panamá by the United States from across the Caribbean to support the construction of the Panamá Canal. These so-called "silver men and women" endured arduous conditions, facing mud, mosquitoes, and malaria, as they toiled tirelessly to build a literal pathway to American empire. Through their resilience and unwavering commitment, these women not only contributed to the physical infrastructure of the canal but also left a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and social justice. Betancourt's work highlights the profound impact of historical displacement on the environment and the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of marginalized communities in shaping our understanding of sustainability and environmental ethics. By reclaiming and celebrating the legacy of these women, Betancourt's work serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and the urgent need to address the ongoing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793641380