Wray vs. Ray Final Project by Samyuktha Kuruchi

Racism and Privilege

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:12:27 UTC

Ray focuses on climate change through the lens of racism within our country. In a sense, she calls out the white individuals who are so outspoken about their climate anxieties, drowning out the people of color who struggle every day with climate issues exacerbating their already daily struggles. Ray questions, "Is climate anxiety just code for white people wishing to hold onto their way of life or to get "back to normal," to the comforts of their privilege",(Ray 2). Ray urges her white audience to question why they feel the way they do. She discusses the different ways those who are white use their privilege to ignore ways they can help. For example, in the article, Ray discusses how climate refugees are seen as a climate security threat and points out the different roles of the climate-anxious, and how they often perpetuate racism and discrimination. Many individuals are displaced around the globe by pollution predominately caused by developing countries but are ignored by those same developing countries when seeking refuge. Ray questions, "How can we make sure that climate anxiety is harnessed for climate justice?"(Ray 2). This question addressed her underlying tone. In the text, this question is followed by her point that white individuals have the privilege of having climate anxiety and somehow use that same privilege to ignore all those affected by climate change and continue to perpetuate racism. This question brings her to her next point on how those individuals can use their privilege for good, rather than self-pity.

Focus on Mental Health

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:13:05 UTC

Ray addresses anxieties surrounding climate change, but points out issues within those feelings. First Ray points out that having those anxieties can be a privilege, she furthers this by saying, "...People who had been insulated from oppression are now waking up to the prospect of an unlivable future."(Ray 3). Those previously untouched by challenges are now facing them and don't know how to react. Ray uses this point to show her white audience why they feel the way they do, especially when they don't realize it. Those in the comforts of privilege rarely realize problems until they are pointed out. Along with this, Ray talks about her differing view on Brit Wray's opinion on climate anxiety, Ray believes climate anxiety can cause burnout and inaction, rather than change and can often be seen as dangerous. Furthermore, she discusses how Black and brown individuals have always been more aware of the impending doom of an unlivable future due to racism, climate change only adds an unwanted addition to this. In discussing this, Ray aims to reframe and put into perspective the phenomenon of white climate anxiety. She understands how these climate anxieties may feel paralyzing but puts those feelings into perspective and once again urges white individuals to reflect upon their tendencies and change.

Call to Action

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:13:26 UTC

When discussing how to help the effects of climate change, it is discussed as an issue all of us can contribute to fixing, however, Ray discusses how some can do more than others. In Ray's piece, I believe her aim is to address young people and those in positions of privilege to make a change. Throughout this piece, she points out the patterns between racism and climate change and urges future generations and those who perpetuate these stereotypes to change. In one of her last sentences, Ray offers the thought, "People with privilege can be asking "Who am I?" and "How am I connected to all of this?","(Ray 5). The change starts in those who are privileged, whether it is speaking out for those who cannot or changing patterns of inequality and discrimination. Ray hopes to leave the readers with these questions and open their eyes to issues they couldn't see before.

Intersectionality

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:15:20 UTC

Ray focuses on the ways racism and systematic inequality work hand in hand with the effects of climate change and climate anxiety. She points out a narrative that is not often discussed, in terms of racist views that worsen effects of climate issues for marginalized communities. Ray states, "We can't fight climate change with more racism,"(Ray 3). To address climate issues individuals must also look at issues of racism constantly present in every aspect of our country. Those who are privileged have been more likely to speak out about climate anxiety. Ray believes these anxieties can be directed towards racism and how it often turns into environmental trauma and the opposite. Ray points out how these issues work together and exacerbate already present issues in our society. This article brings light to this and educates individuals who have a voice to use it in a helpful, rather than damaging way.

Dangerous Ideologies

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:16:25 UTC

In her piece, Ray discusses how eco-anxiety can be dangerous as they perpetuate fears that lead people to drastic actions and beliefs. Ray brings up the 2019 El Paso shooting where the shooter stated, "My whole life I have been preparing for a future that currently doesn't exist,"(Ray 4). Social media often breeds dangerous ideas like this where like-minded individuals can perpetuate hateful ideas. This only causes damage and continues harmful stereotypes and ideas. Along with this, When individuals feel like they have no other choice, they are willing to make drastic decisions. Ray furthers this point by discussing how one of her students stated that they would submit to a green dictator if they were willing to address climate change. I think Ray uses points like this to show understanding to readers with this anxiety, but showing how drastic ideas can lead to drastic effects. Ray follows back on her original tendency to tell her intended readers that they have the opportunity to create change.

Introduction

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:16:33 UTC

Sarah Jaquette Ray discusses the issue of climate anxiety, and how it is predominately spoken about within white circles. However, those who struggle the most are people of color. Ray argues that to make real change in these climate issues, those who are privileged must take a step back and see the change they can make to help those whose voices are not listened to. Ray has a specific tendency in this article to reach white people and those in positions of privilege. She acknowledges how in her previous writings. Those who chose to identify the most were white individuals. She knows her audience is white and wants to address them and give a call to action.

Conclusion

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:16:41 UTC

Sarah Jaquette Ray uses her privilege to open the eyes of others. Ray knows her audience from her previous piece, 'A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety,' which was predominately white. Therefore, I believe she is taking this article as an opportunity to address them. Her underlying tone to her piece is to point out the structures in place rooted in racism and discrimination that exacerbate the effects of climate issues on people of color. The audience she wants to reach is those who are privileged and the younger generation. She expresses her call to action towards those who have a voice that can be heard through themes of the intersectionality of racism and climate, dangerous ideologies that perpetuate discrimination, and the effects of climate anxiety. In each aspect, Ray points out a different side of the main topic of climate change and urges her readers to reflect as well.

Psychological Effects of Climate Change

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:17:23 UTC

Wray discusses in her interview how many individuals in younger generations are deeply affected by climate issues. They struggle with having hope for the future, as all they hear about is climate doom. However, throughout all of this Wray discussed how anger and anxiety can often lead to change too, she stated, "Anger can be hugely motivating, When it is based in a real sense of injustice, it shows that your conscience is alive, that your sense of being morally transgressed is intact,"(Wray 4). While understanding why there is a lack of hope for young generations, Wray brings a refreshing view with positivity when everything surrounding the climate can be so negatively draining. She discusses the overlying issue of mental health and climate but does it with a positive outlook which I believe gives readers, especially those in the younger generation hope in addressing climate issues going forward.

Gen Z

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:17:29 UTC

Wray says that Gen Z feels like this issue is their job to fix and that older generations have failed them. This despair has led to anger towards older generations. She discussed the results of her recent global survey in which most young people agreed with the sentiment "humanity is doomed." She discussed how this framing of life is incredibly saddening, and believed that Gen Z is right to feel what they do. Furthermore, she discusses how this has made it so that people in younger generations are choosing not to have kids to protect their children from the future. Wray herself even admitted to this sentiment but ultimately realized that she also would be agreeing with the sentiment, that "humanity is doomed" if she decided not to have kids, and she didn't want to have that kind of outlook on life. Wray identifying with this allows readers who are experiencing the same fears to feel seen. Along with this, providing her thought process behind this view can give some insight to those who feel similarly.

Societal Change

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:18:37 UTC

Wray believes that the climate crisis can bring people together. She believes that individuals can feel more fulfilled when working towards a common goal with others and this can give many positivity and motivation to continue. Wray states, "The pain of all the wonderful things that we are losing is causing people to wake up and focus on the things that matter. Ultimately, that can produce a more caring society,"(Wray 6). Although the fear of our future can be scary, this also has allowed many to be more aware and appreciative of what they have and work to save the things they love. Wray believes this threat allows society to be more open to change and more motivated to create this change. Her pointing this out allows the reader to step back and realize this for themselves, reframing the reader's outlook.

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:19:07 UTC

Ray continues her ideas about Gen Z and Social media by adding, "They are observing the lack of adequate action. This is reinforced by what they are seeing on social media and in talking with their friends,"(Wray 3). With the internet growing through Gen Z's generation, there is no escape from continuing climate issues. Wray believes that young people can no longer enjoy being young because there is that constant existential pressure and anxiety from climate issues. Millennials have been able to learn more about climate issues at an older age allowing them to grow in a time without that on their mind. I believe this understanding allows a younger reader of this interview to feel heard and not dismissed for their fears by yet another older person.

Social Media

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:19:39 UTC

Wray believes social media can be a catalyst in much of the anxiety felt by Gen Z. On platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, posts discussing drastic views on climate change are very prominent. News surrounding more land being destroyed by pollutants and development causes many to lose hope. Along with this, more reports on the government doing little to stop these actions that are exacerbating climate issues can feel draining. Consumeristic tendencies lead to the "culture of the uncare" which is written about by Sally Weintrobe and discussed by Wray in her interview. Wray explains, "A culture where we are more concerned without Amazon orders than with protecting life on earth,"(Wray 3). Social media perpetuates issues such as these where companies throw constant ads at consumers when online. Wray believes that Gen Z is aware of these issues and can use this to take action. Instead of feeling paralyzed by their sense of what the future can be, focusing on the now.

Introduction

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:19:47 UTC

Britt Wray discusses issues rooted in mental health in relation to climate change. In her Yale Environment 360 interview, she points out how these mental health issues are most prominent in Gen Z. Gen Z has grown up with climate issues very prominently displayed as they have grown up. They often have that weight on their shoulders as older generations seem to have no concern. Wray has the underlying tendency and hopes to have young readers use their anxiety and anger in a positive way that can create change. She aims to reframe anxiety in a way that allows individuals to feel empowered rather than paralyzed. She has a positive undertone to her ideas and provides them in an understanding way.

Conclusion

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-12 22:19:55 UTC

In conclusion, in this interview, Britt Wray provides a positive outlook on climate anxiety in a sea of negativity. She has an overlying tendency to reframe climate anxiety in a way that creates change. She does this across themes of social media and the anxieties it can cause. Along with this, she discusses Gen Z and their access to social media and their role in activism. She also helps provide a reframing of negative emotions and explains to readers how they can allow these emotions to motivate rather than drain them. Each theme she discussed had a positive thought to it, providing a reader of this interview with some optimistic insight into climate issues and the fears surrounding them.

samyuktha1226 — 2024-12-13 02:31:44 UTC

For this final assignment, I decided to look at two individuals on similar topics, to compare their ideas. This comparison allowed me to differentiate the specific tendencies of each writer and better analyze their pieces. In 'Climate Anxiety Is an Overwhelming White Phenomenon' by Sarah Jaquette Ray, she aims to reframe climate anxiety through the lens of racism and discrimination. Her overlying tendency was a call to action, by educating her readers to take note of their privilege and analyze how they can use their privilege to create change. In 'For Gen Z, Climate Change Is a Heavy Emotional Burden' by Richard Schiffman, Britt Wray is interviewed and her goal was to reframe climate anxiety with a positive outlook. Wray, a researcher on mental health, notices growing issues in mental health concerning climate change and provides an overlying tendency to turn negative emotions into positive change. Her goal is to show how the fear and anger individuals feel towards climate change shows their care for the environment and can be reframed into motivation. Both these individuals discuss climate anxiety turning into action, but each from different aspects. Analyzing the tendencies behind the thought processes of both of these pieces allowed me to provide a better understanding of the differences in their goals and ideas.