The Role of the Rural in Contemporary Identity

 

Introduction

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of black queer engagements with the South African rural, specifically through the lens of the film Inxeba (2017) and the novel Piggy Boy’s Blues (2015). Both works serve as critical texts that unpack the complexities of identity, community connection, and the natural environment, framed within the context of ulwaluko, a traditional male circumcision rite of the amaXhosa people. The protagonists in these narratives face significant struggles for connection not only with each other, but also with their communities and the broader landscape defined by both cultural heritage and personal identity.

The narratives of Inxeba and Piggy Boy’s Blues portray queer anti-pastorals, where the protagonists navigate rural patriarchal landscapes that are transforming and queered, reflecting the intersection of sexuality and tradition in contemporary South African society. The rural setting emerges as a significant site for cultural regeneration and a creative source for reimagining queer futures, despite the substantial societal costs and stigmas attached to queer identities.

The Role of the Rural in Contemporary Identity

Recent research increasingly emphasizes the significant role of rural spaces in shaping new identities and fostering community connections, particularly as urban environments become more precarious and alienating. In many instances, rural women take on the role of leaders in translocal households, providing emotional refuge and economic support within their families.

Cultural representations of rural life often deploy idealized pastoral narratives that frequently overlook the modern complexities and challenges, especially for black queer individuals who grapple with the prevailing notion that same-sex attraction is un-African and incompatible with traditional cultural identities.

The urban-rural divide creates a dichotomy that complicates the understanding of queerness, wherein cities are romanticized as havens for sexual expression, thereby marginalizing rural queer identities and experiences that exist outside of these narratives.

Ulwaluko: Traditional Ritual and Queerness

Ulwaluko serves as a pivotal pastoral frame within the amaXhosa community as it defines masculinity and personhood, yet it largely excludes women from its narratives. For queer individuals, participating in ulwaluko can come with considerable communal expectations, pushing them to conform to heteronormative standards, even as some individuals strive to find empowerment and identity within this experience.

The rural landscape therefore becomes a complex and multifaceted space; while it is associated with community ties and preservation of tradition, it also presents risks of alienation and oppression for queer identities seeking acceptance and belonging.

Inxeba: A Struggle for Intimacy

Inxeba (translated as The Wound) is centered around Xolani, a warehouse worker who returns to his rural hometown to provide care during the ulwaluko ceremony. Xolani’s relationship with Vija, who is married to a woman, complicates traditional notions of masculinity and sexual desire as communal and familial pressures create a significant tension that shapes their interactions.

The film powerfully portrays the violent undercurrents present in queer relationships set against the backdrop of cultural tradition, culminating in a conflict that raises critical questions surrounding survival, intimacy, and the cost of authenticity in a space where societal norms dictate behavior.

Piggy Boy’s Blues: The Anti-Pastoral Narrative

Piggy Boy’s Blues follows the journey of Davide, who returns to his family home in search of solace from his depression but is met with violence and alienation, illustrating the stark contrast between the pastoral ideal and the harsh realities of rural life. Throughout the narrative, initial pastoral expectations clash with the trauma that unfolds, resulting in a traumatic sexual assault that irrevocably disrupts Davide's sense of belonging within his community.

Ultimately, the character of Davide learns to navigate experiences of abandonment and identity reconstruction, finding resilience through a nuanced and critical understanding of tradition, rather than yearning for reconnection with a past that has proven to be deeply harmful.

Complications of the Pastoral-Anti-Pastoral Framework

Both Inxeba and Piggy Boy’s Blues challenge oversimplified pastoral notions, exploring the complex emotional experiences that manifest within rural spaces, where liberation and entrapment coexist. Inxeba intricately complicates traditional pastoral representations, demonstrating how queer identities are in constant negotiation with the rural landscape fraught with underlying tensions. Conversely, Piggy Boy’s Blues presents a stark anti-pastoral vision where the countryside transforms into an inhospitable environment, highlighting the dangers present in these rural contexts.

Usable Traditions and Cultural Regeneration

The examined films delve into the ways traditions can be reinterpreted and evolved, as characters harness their present struggles to forge new identities reflective of their experiences. The rural setting transforms into a site of survival where characters must confront the oppressive legacies of their cultural heritage, promoting a critical perspective on how both pastoral and anti-pastoral dynamics can inform queer identities, fostering resilience amid adversity.

Conclusion

The return to the rural landscape emerges as a double-edged sword; while it offers avenues for personal renewal and community connection, it often leads to profound disconnection, violence, and challenges to one's identity. Both narratives underscore the crucial importance of recognizing rural dynamics, suggesting that queerness can indeed flourish within evolving traditions that embrace complexity and change. Despite the challenges posed by ulwaluko, it symbolizes the potential adaptability of cultural practices and the possibility for collective healing among black queer men as they navigate their personal journeys within these frameworks.

The Stakes of Sunshine

 Playing Underground: Thoreau and the Queer AntipastoralAuthor: Laura Zebuhr, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MNArticle Citation: Zebuhr, Laura. "Playing Underground: Thoreau and the Queer Antipastoral." Regeneration: Environment, Art, Culture 1, no. 1–2 (2024): pp. 1–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16995/regeneration.16505Published: Regeneration: Environment, Art, Culture, peer-reviewed open access journalOpen Access License: CC-BY 4.0

Introduction

Mole Philosophy: The work situates Thoreau’s "Walden" within a philosophical tradition that underscores the importance of depth of understanding, likening it to the burrowing habits of moles. This metaphor highlights the necessity of digging beneath superficial appearances to uncover profound truths about nature, society, and human existence.Contrast with Light: Thoreau’s metaphorical mole contrasts significantly with the outright brightness of the sun, which symbolizes the familiar and comforting aspects of life but also represents a lack of mystery and depth. The quest for deeper understanding and authenticity challenges the prevailing notions that emphasize clarity and linearity in human experience.Queer Antipastoral: The term “queer antipastoral” is employed to enact a critique of conventional pastoral ideals by incorporating themes of unpredictability and erotic curiosity—a celebration of the deviations from normative experiences in nature. This framework suggests that nature, rather than offering clear and idyllic representations, is rife with complex, often chaotic interactions that evoke curiosity rather than comfort.

The Stakes of Sunshine

Dependence on the Sun: Thoreau acknowledges the vital role of the sun as a source of life while also recognizing its cyclical and predictable nature, which can instill a false sense of stability in the natural world.Anxiety-free Prediction: The pastoral perspective often propagates an illusion of reassurance provided by nature's cycles; however, this view can lead to complacency, especially in light of ongoing environmental destruction and the unpredictability of climate change.Critique of Pastoral Imagery: The perceived reliability of the sun is critiqued through a lens of ecological realities, shedding light on the illusion that pastoral representations are sufficient descriptors of nature’s complexities.Leo Marx’s Argument: Marx’s detailed analysis exploring the historical layers of pastoral discourse showcases the stark contrast between an idealized nature and the harsh realities of industrialization, bringing attention to the inconsistencies and oversights in traditional pastoral narratives.

The Contradictions of Pastoral Ideals

Complexity in Pastoral Texts: Various authors have navigated the intricate tensions between pastoral ideals and the demands of capitalism, particularly in their narrative portrayals of the sun, seeking to reconcile both perspectives.Thoreau's Relationship to Pastoralism: Thoreau’s works oscillate between an embracing of and a critique against idealized pastoral imagery, encapsulating the ambivalence experienced in reconciling human aspirations with natural realities.Ambivalence: This dichotomy manifests in Thoreau's depictions of sunlight, which serve as a complex metaphor having layers of meaning that extend beyond their immediate interpretations.

Mole Philosophers

Influence of Historic Philosophers: Important figures in philosophical history, such as Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche, often utilize the mole as a metaphor to illustrate the concepts of introspection and deep philosophical discovery, underscoring the necessity of probing beneath the surface to gain insights into complex ideas.Mole as Metaphor: Moles as symbols promote a rich epistemological exploration, advocating for a method of understanding that persistently challenges surface appearances and accepted norms, stimulating critical thought about knowledge itself.

Thoreau's Burrowing

Thoreau as a Burrowing Creature: Thoreau describes himself as engaged in a form of intellectual burrowing, seeking deeper insights into the human condition and the natural world, reflecting a conscious effort to navigate beyond mere appearances to uncover more profound truths.Pastoral vs. Antipastoral: Thoreau’s writings reveal moments that disrupt typical pastoral narratives, introducing unexpected truths that challenge the linear understanding of natural cycles, responding instead with a queering of these traditional narratives.

Insects in "Walden"

Emerging Insects: Thoreau skillfully utilizes the metaphor of insects, such as the seventeen-year cicada, to illustrate themes of unpredictability and the interruption of expected natural cycles, emphasizing the chaotic elements of existence.Challenge of Assumptions: Through his observations, Thoreau stimulates a questioning of preconceived notions surrounding natural cycles, advocating for a critical examination of expected norms and anticipated outcomes in nature.Narratives of Transformation: The unexpected emergence of insects serves as a broader narrative reflecting themes of transformation, resurrection, and potential—highlighting that life often unfolds in complex, non-linear ways that defy conventional understanding.

Conclusions on Burrowing

Journey Underground: Thoreau's exploration is not merely a physical or intellectual exercise but a journey that seeks to penetrate and disrupt societal norms while inviting critical analysis of traditional knowledge frameworks in pursuit of deeper truths.Queer Antipastoral Resistance: The explorations presented in Thoreau’s work challenge established beliefs and preconceived notions surrounding knowledge and truth as well as the intricate relationship shared between humans and the natural world.Reflection on Nature's Complexity: Ultimately, Thoreau’s work posits that life is inherently unpredictable; it critiques the limitations of a purely pastoral lens, advocating instead for an embrace of complexity and ambiguity in the pursuit of understanding nature and humanity.

Anti-Pastoral Allegory in Border

Filmmakers:

• Border (Gräns) directed by Ali Abbasi, blends elements of magical realism, folklore, and social critique, making it a unique contribution to contemporary cinema.

Authors:

• Katie Ritson and Nicole Seymour provide a nuanced analysis of the film's complex themes, focusing on the intertwining of pastoral imagery and the critique of state care.

Premise:

• The film juxtaposes idyllic pastoral visuals historically associated with rural life against a darker commentary on the welfare state's treatment of marginalized groups, particularly focusing on the repercussions of forced assimilation and sterilization policies.

Concept of Pastoral

• Definition: Traditionally linked to a simplistic and idealized vision of rural life, pastoral also reflects notions of care, protection, and nurturing environments.

• Application: Ritson and Seymour argue that the film subverts these idyllic representations by revealing the detrimental effects of the welfare state's misguided attempts at care, emphasizing how such interventions can lead to violence rather than protection.

• Examples of Harm: Historical practices depicted include forced assimilation of Indigenous populations and the sterilization of intersex individuals, illustrating the tragic outcomes of state-controlled welfare mechanisms.

Key Themes in Border

Characters:

• Tina: A central character, Tina is a customs agent endowed with unique sensory abilities, allowing her to perceive smuggling in a way others cannot. She represents the impact of state care on personal identity, struggling with her roots and heritage.

• Vore: Conversely, Vore embodies the awareness of their troll ancestry and the historical violence inflicted on marginalized groups. His character connects deeply with themes of exclusion and identity as an outsider.

Allegorical Elements:

• Rejections of Normativity: The film tackles the notion of sexual awakening and personal identity through the lens of cultural and physical ugliness, challenging mainstream perceptions of beauty and acceptance.

• Social Commentary: By portraying horrific historical practices of assimilation and sterilization, the film critiques idealized views of state care, prompting a re-evaluation of the welfare state's role in perpetuating violence.

Borders and Identity

• Setting: Set against the backdrop of the Swedish welfare state, the film underscores the historical violent relationships between state mechanisms and Indigenous or marginalized populations.

• Cultural Mythology: Employing troll folklore allows the film to bridge historical narratives with contemporary issues, showcasing how legends reflect societal fears and power dynamics.

• Historical Context: The narrative draws on medieval beliefs linking trolls with resistance to Christian colonization and ancient pagan practices, thereby situating trolls as metaphors for resilience and cultural identity.

• Institutional Critique: Argues that modern welfare mechanisms mirror past oppressive practices, perpetuating cycles of violence against marginalized identities.

Analysis of Characters' Journeys

• Tina's Assimilation: Tina's journey symbolizes how the pressure to assimilate distorts personal identity and underscores the violence inherent in state care systems. Her character illustrates the isolating effects of losing one's cultural roots in the pursuit of acceptance.

• Vore's Existence: Living outside societal norms, Vore's character represents the complexities of acceptance and belonging for historical outsiders, offering a stark contrast to Tina’s assimilationist struggles.

• Emergency of Non-Normative Identities: The film reveals ongoing tensions surrounding representation and acceptance of diverse identities, particularly in contexts shaped by historical trauma.

Queer Thematic Resonance

• Queerness: Explores the relationship between beauty, ugliness, and societal rejection, positioning resistance as an act of claiming one’s identity against dominant societal norms.

• Sensory Experience: Tina’s heightened senses symbolize alternative perspectives on existence and reality, suggesting new methods of understanding identity beyond traditional frameworks.

• Intersections of Queer Theory and Ecology: The thematic exploration encapsulates the relationship between nature, queerness, and the significance of bodily autonomy, emphasizing the importance of ecological consciousness in discussions of identity.

Critical Examination

• Violence Behind Care: Unpacking the darker aspects of state care, the film reveals the coercive surgeries and policies targeting marginalized identities, thereby exposing the often hidden violence beneath the surface of care.

• Medical Violence: The narrative parallels between Tina's experiences and the systemic violence faced by intersex individuals serve to highlight pervasive issues within medical and institutional practices.

• Feminist Perspectives: The film engages with complex dynamics of gender, power relations, and reproductive justice, interrogating how institutional settings manage and control bodies and identities.

Ending Analysis

• Final Sequence: The final sequence introduces a significant shift, presenting the concept of nurturing and care through Tina’s discovery of a troll baby, symbolizing a disruption of normative kinship paradigms.

• Crisis of Registration: This ties into broader themes of identity and belonging, questioning societal definitions of who can belong and who is considered ‘other.’

• Care Paradox: The film infers that institutional definitions of care often emphasize control and normativity rather than genuine nurturing, prompting audiences to reconsider what true care entails.

• Cultural Restoration: Ultimately, the film seeks to reclaim and redefine identities historically marginalized and oppressed, advocating for a broader understanding of care that respects diversity and intersectionality.

Pastoralism vs. Anti-Pastoralism

 

Overview

The essay critiques the pastoralization of sexuality and engages with Charles Darwin's contributions to discussions surrounding sexuality and environmental studies. The authors, Jean-Thomas Tremblay and Jules Gill-Peterson, explore various dynamics connecting sex and nature through Darwinian frameworks.

• Authors: Jean-Thomas Tremblay and Jules Gill-Peterson

• Publication: Regeneration: Environment, Art, Culture, 2024

Key Themes

Pastoralism vs. Anti-Pastoralism

• Pastoralization tends to romanticize the connection between sex and the natural world, often portraying an idyllic and harmonious relationship.

• Anti-pastoralism, aiming to critique this romantic view, may still rely on moralizing aesthetics that can limit the complexity of the relationship between human sexuality and nature.

• The authors propose depastoralization as a methodological approach to celebrate the serendipitous and non-ideal qualities of nature, rejecting simplistic narratives.

Emancipation Through Darwin

• Scholars such as Sam See and Elizabeth Grosz have articulated views that position Darwin as a pivotal figure for rethinking contemporary understandings of sexuality.

• They encourage embracing nature's vast infinite variations, advocating for a departure from outdated biological normativity that strictly defines gender and sexuality.

• However, the essay warns that their interpretations may still embody a pastoralizing tendency, which risks oversimplifying Darwin’s nuanced insights regarding biological diversity and variability.

Darwin's Nature

Accidental Quality of Nature and Sex

• Darwin’s perspective elucidates the randomness and inherent variability present in both nature and sexual expression.

• The essay challenges interpretations that seek to derive moral or aesthetic lessons from Darwinian expressions of sex and gender, emphasizing his nonessentialist viewpoint. Nature and sexuality continually evolve and should not be confined to static definitions.

Aesthetic and Biological Intersections

• Sexual selection introduces motivations of attraction that go beyond mere survival and reproduction, suggesting an intricate interplay between aesthetics and sexuality.

• The notion of taste is significant for understanding how sexual selection operates and its broader implications in the realm of nature.

Critique of Pastoralization

Gender and Sexuality

• The essay scrutinizes contemporary interpretations that oversimplify the complex intersections illustrated in Darwin's works concerning gender.

• It critiques See's suggestion that sexual and racial categories are interchangeable, labeling this perspective as an oversimplification that fails to account for the intricacies of both concepts.

• Grosz's exploration of sexual difference is analyzed, highlighting the complexities that exist beyond simplistic binary oppositions.

Eugenics and Political Uses of Darwinism

• The authors discuss how pastoral interpretations of Darwin have been co-opted into ideologies of control, notably in historical contexts such as Nazism.

• The essay investigates the aesthetic criteria underpinning eugenic philosophies compared to Darwin's concepts of natural selection, drawing attention to the ethical implications.

The Risks and Consequences of Moralizing Narratives

• Pastoral narratives are highlighted as potentially invoking moral standards that may unintentionally marginalize or suppress queer identities. This aspect reveals a dangerous parallel to historical eugenics movements, founded on claims of purity.

• There are modern manifestations of backlash against non-normative sexualities that echo these historical patterns, emphasizing the need for awareness and inclusivity.

Opposing Naturalization of Ethics

• The authors argue against the tendency to view sex and nature as inherently moral categories, advocating for a perspective that accepts these concepts as more fluid and less deterministic.

• They highlight that existing ethical frameworks often stem from a misinterpreted and oversimplified understanding of Darwin, calling for a reevaluation of these connections.

Conclusion

Towards a Depastoralized Understanding

• The essay proposes cultivating a new perspective on Darwin that breaks away from moral imperatives or predictable outcomes, seeking a more nuanced understanding of natural and sexual diversity.

• By celebrating the unpredictability and accidentality intrinsic to sexuality and nature, the authors advocate for enriching discussions that embrace diversity in both human and non-human realms without being confined to normative standards.

Queer Complicity and Colonialism

 

Introduction

• Examines Elizabeth Bishop's treatment of colonial settings through the complex lens of queer complicity with oppression, exploring how her work navigates the intricacies of identity, power, and desire in a colonized landscape.

• Focuses specifically on two of Bishop's significant poems: "Brazil, January 1, 1502" (1960), which reflects on the initial encounters during colonization, and "Crusoe in England" (1971), a recontextualization of the Robinson Crusoe narrative that interrogates themes of race and colonial dynamics.

• Discusses the intersection of queerness, colonialism, and the representation of the natural world, revealing how pastoral and antipastoral literature shapes and is shaped by these themes.

Queer Complicity and Colonialism

• Jasbir Puar critiques the myth of transgressive queerness, introducing the idea that not all queers are inherently resistant to oppressive structures and that some may directly or indirectly support settler colonialism.

• This intersection explores how colonial ideologies can dehumanize certain bodies while simultaneously permitting others to benefit from or ignore this complicity.

• Bishop's works challenge readers to examine queerness in the context of the colonial domination of Indigenous peoples, urging a re-examination of historical complicity in oppression and resistance.

Literary Context

• The pastoral tradition is historically linked to colonization and dispossession, often celebrating an idealized view of nature that masks the violence and exploitation inherent in colonial practices.

• In contrast to typical pastoral themes, Bishop's poetry illuminates the complexities, contradictions, and uncomfortable aspects of identity and desire, giving voice to marginalized narratives.

Antipastoral Types

• Identifies two distinct antipastoral forms within Bishop's poetry that complicate traditional pastoral motifs:

  • Ironic Pastoral: This form challenges the perceived simplicity and beauty of the pastoral genre, revealing the dark realities and historical violence lurking beneath its surface.

  • Dystopian Antipastal: Presents a starkly pessimistic depiction of nature and human experience, contradicting classic pastoral ideals and reflecting despair in colonial contexts.

• Both poems encapsulate the ongoing struggle between the desire for connection with nature and the troubling acknowledgment of one's complicity in colonial violence.

Analysis of "Brazil, January 1, 1502"

• The poem opens with nature's greeting, implicitly suggesting a shared complicity between the observer and the conquistadors.

• The speaker's observations create an ironic distance from the romanticized portrayal of colonization, prompting readers to question their own historical narratives.

• The stark depiction of Indigenous women fleeing to the jungle juxtaposed against the violent advance of colonial soldiers raises profound questions about complicity, solidarity, and the roles of different bodies in colonial narratives.

Identification and Desire

• Identifies a significant shift in focus from visual observation to an emphasis on auditory experiences, bringing Indigenous women's songs into contrast with the invasive tunes of the colonizers.

• The relationship between the speaker and the Indigenous figures is revealed as complex and fraught, with the speaker's desire intertwined with a recognition of the historical violence perpetrated against these communities.

• Bishop's work underscores the precarious nature of identifying with marginalized identities while posing the risk of appropriation and exploitation of their narratives in a colonial framework.

Analysis of "Crusoe in England"

• In this poem, Bishop reinterprets Defoe's classic narrative of Robinson Crusoe, applying an ironic lens that critically re-examines the implications of colonial relationships.

• Crusoe's dynamic with Friday is filled with both intimate affection and underlying colonial subtext, complicating traditional narratives of companionship and loss.

• The imagery of a world defined by persistent rain and decay serves to symbolize a grotesque and hollow vision of the pastoral, reflecting the ongoing impact of colonialism.

• Emotional responses within the poem juxtapose nostalgia with acknowledgment of colonial complicity, calling into question the ethics of longing for a past that involved such violence.

Postlapsarian Themes

• Both poems exemplify postlapsarian pastoral, where idealized visions of nature are only appreciated in retrospective melancholia.

• They reflect on the loss of an untouched natural world, starkly contrasted with the grim reality of ongoing colonial destruction and the erasure of Indigenous cultures.

• Bishop addresses the narrative of Indigenous disappearance, effectively criticizing the narratives that justify acts of colonial violence through the lens of societal progress.

Ideology and Complicity

• The poems explore how nostalgia and emotional pathos can unwittingly serve as accomplices in perpetuating colonial narratives, allowing readers to confront uncomfortable aspects of their understanding of history and identity.

• While Bishop’s poetry is rich with emotional resonance, it also unpacks the complexities of queer identity against the backdrop of systemic oppression and colonial legacies.

• The suggestion that queerness in Bishop's works is relational, often entangled in and subsumed by the brutal framework of colonialism, challenges many postcolonial readings that may overlook the intrinsic complicity in these narratives.

Conclusion

• Concludes that Elizabeth Bishop's nuanced representation of queerness intertwined with colonialism compels a reconsideration of literary forms and their complexities, where nostalgia, loss, and complicity intermingle in challenging ways, provoking fundamental questions about identity, resistance, and the enduring legacies of colonial narratives.

 

Introduction to Regeneration

Purpose:

The journal "Regeneration" is dedicated to advancing the environmental humanities, which focus on the interconnections between human culture and the environment. This initiative is important for recognizing and addressing the pressing environmental challenges facing societies today. Key features of the journal include:

• Open Access Publishing: Ensuring that research is freely available to promote widespread dissemination of knowledge.

• Multimedia Capacity: Utilizing various formats to enrich academic discourse, and allowing for a broader reach in communicating complex ideas.

• Collaboration: Engaging multiple disciplines and communities to foster innovative approaches to environmental issues.

Abstract

The journal was initiated with the mission to revitalize the environmental humanities, which have rapidly expanded in recent years, paralleling global environmental crises. This revitalization is driven by the need for a platform that not only reflects current knowledge but also encourages innovative scholarship that can respond to urgent ecological challenges.

Key Concepts and Themes

Keywords: environmental humanities, collaboration, open access, multimedia.

Symbolism of the Star Jet

The image of the drowned Star Jet rollercoaster serves as a poignant symbol of our era, illustrating the tangible impacts of climate change on cultural landmarks.

• This imagery prompts reflection on human responsibility in contributing to environmental degradation, as it connects our daily choices—such as consumption, waste generation, and energy use—to the broader implications of climate disruption and loss of cultural heritage.

Growth of Environmental Humanities

The rapid expansion of the environmental humanities is reminiscent of a rollercoaster's acceleration, highlighting both exciting developments and inherent challenges.

• Areas of inquiry within this field have splintered into several distinct subfields, including:

  • Energy Humanities: Examines the cultural implications of energy production and consumption.

  • Posthumanism: Questions anthropocentric viewpoints and explores human-nonhuman relationships.

  • Blue Humanities: Focuses on the cultural significance of oceans and aquatic environments.

  • Ecomedia: Investigates the relationship between media and ecological issues.

  • Waste Studies: Explores the cultural and environmental narratives surrounding waste and disposal.

• Despite this growth, there is a noticeable lack of celebratory acknowledgment among scholars, as collective focus remains on activism and responsiveness to intersecting environmental and social crises, such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Challenges and Collaborations

The growth of environmental humanities is fueled by ongoing global crises, complicating feelings of accomplishment. However, it is also marked by an increase in collaboration, fostering relationships between scholars, activists, and community stakeholders.

• This movement is further enhanced by efforts to integrate the voices and perspectives of historically marginalized groups into the environmental discourse, emphasizing equity and inclusion in addressing ecological justice.

Open Access Publishing

Open Access Significance: The journal views open access as crucial to maintaining the dynamism of the environmental humanities.

• Promoting a justice-centered discourse by making scholarship publicly available, thereby removing knowledge from economic constraints and making it accessible to a broader audience.

• Concerns: The ongoing climate crisis has exacerbated feelings of burnout and urgency among scholars, highlighting the need for sustainable measures amidst the neoliberal pressures faced within academia.

Key Objectives of Regeneration

Focus on:

• Open Access: Actively working to dismantle traditional hierarchies in academic discourse, making scholarship more inclusive.

• Multimedia Capacity: Utilizing a variety of media forms to enrich scholarly conversations—this could include soundscapes, videos, visual art, and interactive formats that engage audiences more deeply.

• Collaboration: Emphasizing the importance of collaborative work that incorporates a multitude of voices and perspectives, thus enhancing the richness of the discourse.

Rejection of Traditional Models

While traditional scholarship undoubtedly holds value, Regeneration advocates for diverse forms of argumentation and storytelling.

• It encourages experimental approaches that connect scholarly work with pressing real-world issues, allowing for more fluid and dynamic engagement with the audience.

• Accomplishments: The journal is committed to fostering a dialogic and innovative scholarly environment that adapts to the evolving needs of the field, constantly striving to create impactful and relevant discourse.

Future Directions

Regeneration seeks to host a variety of guest-edited special issues that reflect a multitude of perspectives and engagements within the ever-expanding field of environmental humanities, paving the way for new conversations and collaborations in response to contemporary environmental challenges.