Table Of ContentWestern Kentucky University
TopSCHOLAR®
Masters Teses & Specialist Projects Graduate School
8-2013
Plain & Simple: Te Will to Live Sustainably in an
Unsustainable World
Brandi Nichole Buton
Western Kentucky University,
PLAIN & SIMPLE:
THE WILL TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY IN AN UNSUSTAINABLE WORLD
A Thesis
Presented to
The Faculty of the Department of Diversity & Community Studies
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts
By
Brandi Nichole Button
August 2013
I dedicate this thesis to my mama, Cynthia Karen Scoggins Button, who always inspired
me to read and do the best I could in school and to my dadd, yDanny Neal Button, who
taught me the secret to life is being who you are and proud of who thta is no matter what
others think about it. Also, I dedicate this work to my granddaddy Donnie Scog, gins
whose respect for life, autonomy and nature radiates throughout my veins. Last, to Joshua
Ames, whom without his support and patient perseverance I would not be finishing this
work.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are several people who supported the fruition of this thesis project. First
and foremost Dr. Jane Olmsted, who from the beginning of my graduate career has
encouraged me to follow my heart and given me opportunities I never dreamed possible,
Dr. Olmsted has spent patient hours networking, editing, discussing and encouraging.
Next, Dr. Kristi Branham, who is the reason I continued with a graduate education and
has been my cheerleader for the past 6 years. Without Dr. Branham I would still believe
that I was not capable of conducting research, with Dr. Branham my research has been
enriched by resources such as Alice Walker that are irreplaceable. Third, Dr. Ann Ferrell
who taught me that it is possible for research to be fun and personal. Dr. Ferrell
especially helped to guide the flow and clarity of my narrative. All of these women are
not only mentors in my education, but friends, whom I cherish beyond words.
Obviously, this work would not be possible without the consent of Wren Smith,
Janisse Ray and Meg and Alison Mott. All were kind enough not only to allow me to stay
in their homes for a week, but follow them around like a lost puppy asking questions and
taking pictures. Each inspired my reflections through the countless conversations we had
over meals, gardening and chores.
Though they may never know who I am: Wendell Berry and Alice Walker,
because they were the cornerstones of this piece ever having a chance of making any
sense.
Last, Western Kentucky University for the kind travel and research grants that
made conducting my research feasible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: THE MOTTS OF PANIC SWAMP .......................................................................... 13
CHAPTER 2: FAERIES, TREES AND HONEY BEES ................................................................... 44
CHAPTER 3: RED EARTH FARM: NECESSARY, JUST AND RIGHT………………..... ....... …76
CHAPTER 4: BEGIN AGAIN…………………………………………………………………………. ..... ..111
CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………………………… ..... …….138
WORKS CITED.............................…………………………………………………………………….. ...... …142
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PLAIN & SIMPLE:
THE WILL TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY IN AN UNSUSTIANABLE WORLD
Brandi Button August 2013 150 Pages
Directed by: Dr. Jane Olmsted, Dr. Kristi Branham, and Dr. Ann Ferrell
Department of Diversity and Community Studies Western Kentucky University
Sustainability is a buzzword covering a variety of fields and subjects. For the
purposes of my research sustainability is “the ability to keep going over the long haul. As
a value, it refers to giving equal weight in your decisions to the future as well as the
present” (Gilman 1). The sustainability movement refers to activists, educators and
researchers who are dedicated to finding high quality ways of living in the world that are
environmentally benign for all who are now living as well future generations to come
(Gilman 1). This research focuses on three women who engage in voluntary simplicity—
“simplicity that is voluntary-consciously chosen, deliberate, and intentional- [and]
supports a higher quality of life” (Elgin 4). The complexity of the subject of sustainability
is why I chose to narrow my focus to such a worldview and because much of my
educational background is in Gender and Women’s Studies I specifically focus on
women. Feminist ethnographic methods of participant observation are utilized as well as
rhetorical analysis. I examine the attentive roles that have afforded these women the
ability to form intimate social as well as ecological relations in their community. The
observations are recorded in a narrative form and contribute to the growing knowledge
base of sustainability as well as resilience studies. The lack of sustainable practices on a
large scale in our country affects every citizen who lives here through environmental
problems like climate change and peak oil. The narrative form allows the research I have
collected to maintain an accessible language which is important in reaching a greater
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audience beyond that of academia. The narrative shows easy, manageable sustainable
choices and changes that can be applied at the micro as well as macro level. These
choices and changes are not exhaustive or all inclusive; rather they are suggestions for
those who are interested in joining the sustainability movement.
viii
Introduction
Although the field of sustainability studies has gained momentum in academia
st
since the beginning of the 21 century, most analyses fail to examine simple choices and
changes individuals make in their own community and place. For my graduate thesis I
utilize feminist ethnographic methodology in order to address a particular worldview:
“voluntary simplicity” (Elgin 4). I explored the experiences of three women in whose
homes I stayed for one week. While with the women I used participant observation, as
well as interviews in order to examine the attentive roles that have afforded them the
ability to form intimate social as well as ecological relations in their communities.
However, the heart of the research I collected lies more in the journey of the process.
Through feminist-inspired ethnographic study my research unfolded as a challenge of
mind, body and soul. I listened to the different women’s perspectives attentively,
physically worked alongside them and spent restless hours contemplating the importance
of relationships, solitude and peace. What I have written is only a portion of the overall
experience which became a search for a deeper understanding of self, place and
community.
******************************************************
“I wish we just lived in a little cabin in the woods somewhere,” my mom and dad
said on a number of occasions. As a child I did not make the connection that my parents
said this whenever they were overwhelmed by debt. However, the older I get the more I
realize the stress-induced fantasy on their part has become a revelation and life goal on
my part.
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