Despite increasing public attention to animal suffering, little seems to have changed: human beings continue to exploit billions of animals in factory farms, medical laboratories, and elsewhere. In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations towards other creatures.

Despite increasing public attention to animal suffering, little seems to have changed: Human beings continue to exploit billions of animals in factory farms, medical laboratories, and elsewhere. In this wide-ranging and perceptive study, Lisa Kemmerer shows how spiritual writings and teachings in seven major religious traditions can help people to consider their ethical obligations toward other creatures.Dr. Kemmerer examines the role of nonhuman animals in scripture and myth, in the lives of religious exemplars, and by drawing on foundational philosophical and (...) moral teachings. She begins with a study of indigenous traditions around the world, then focuses on the religions of India and China, and finally, religions of the Middle East. At the end of each chapter, Kemmerer explores the inspiring lives and work of contemporary animal advocates who are motivated by a personal religious commitment. Animals and World Religions demonstrates that rethinking how we treat nonhuman animals is essential for anyone claiming one of the world's great religions. (shrink)

An examination of human dietary choice as a unifying cause for both the environmental and animal-rights movements.

There is a very strong association between women, animals, and activism. In Women, Social Justice, and Animal Advocacy, activist Lisa A. Kemmerer presents the narratives of fourteen ecofeminist activists who describe their own experiences in the field, often from the perspective of discovering the extent of a particular kind of animal oppression and resolving to do something about it. The narratives are bold and gripping, sometimes horrifying, and cover a range of topics relating to animal rights and liberation. The writers (...) discuss contemporary cockfighting, factory farming, orphaned primates in Africa, the wild bird trade, scientific experimentation on animals, laws against "dangerous" dogs, and violence against baby seals. Sister Species provides a wide survey of what women are doing in the animal activism movement. The writers ask readers to rethink how we view animals in our daily lives--and how we can take action to protect them. Kemmerer's introduction explains why she collected these particular stories and how she views the relationship between feminism and animal suffering. The foreword is by Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat (1990), Neither Man nor Beast: Feminism and the Defense of Animals.(1994), The Feminist Care Tradition in Animal Ethics: A Reader (2007), and many other books. None of these essays has been previously published. (shrink)

_Sister Species: Women, Animals, and Social Justice_ addresses interconnections between speciesism, sexism, racism, and homophobia, clarifying why social justice activists in the twenty-first century must challenge intersecting forms of oppression. This anthology presents bold and gripping--sometimes horrifying--personal narratives from fourteen activists who have personally explored links of oppression between humans and animals, including such exploitative enterprises as cockfighting, factory farming, vivisection, and the bushmeat trade. _Sister Species_ asks readers to rethink how they view "others," how they affect animals with their (...) daily choices, and how they might bring change for all who are abused. These essays remind readers that women have always been important to social justice and animal advocacy, and they urge each of us to recognize the links that continue to bind all oppressed individuals. The astonishing honesty of these contributors demonstrates with painful clarity why every woman should be an animal activist and why every animal activist should be a feminist. Contributors are Carol J. Adams, Tara Sophia Bahna-James, Karen Davis, Elizabeth Jane Farians, Hope Ferdowsian, Linda Fisher, Twyla François, Christine Garcia, A. Breeze Harper, Sangamithra Iyer, Pattrice Jones, Lisa Kemmerer, Allison Lance, Ingrid Newkirk, Lauren Ornelas, and Miyun Park. (shrink)

This volume introduces the most important ideas in animal ethics and builds on a critical dialogue emerging at the intersection of animal rights, environmental ethics, and religious studies. In search of Consistency examines the work of influential scholars Tom Regan (animal rights), Peter Singer (utilitarian ethics), Andrew Linzey (theologian), and Paul Taylor (environmental ethics), and explores ethics and animals across six world religions (Indigenous faiths, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). In Search of Consistency sheds light on 'the sanctity of (...) life' by means of an intriguing moral theory, 'The Minimize Harm Maxim', rooted in the time-honoured moral ideals of impartiality and consistency. This volume questions what it means to be human and challenges our assumed place in the universe. . . . worth every penny and then some! It is never for a moment boring. The author has created something of lasting value. . . (Norm Phelps). (shrink)

Lisa Kemmerer | : This article explores whether or not animal activists who engage in violence might legitimately be labelled “terrorists.” To this end, I examine common assumptions concerning the use of pre-emptive counter-violence in order to defend the comparatively defenceless. Through the use of casuistry, this essay compares specific hypothetical instances of killing comparatively defenceless individuals, beginning with scenarios that offer a clear general consensus, moving to more controversial cases. This indicates that contemporary violence on behalf of animal liberation, (...) often assumed to be rash and radical, is actually quite restrained. The intent of this paper is not to make claims as to how liberationists ought to behave, but rather to highlight egregious inconsistencies in our attitudes toward violence on behalf of those who are comparatively defenceless. | : Cet article vise à déterminer si les activistes animaliers qui se livrent à des actes violents doivent légitimement ou non être taxés de « terroristes ». À cette fin, j’examine les idées courantes relatives à l’utilisation de la violence préventive dans le but de défendre des êtres qui sont relativement sans défense. À l’aide de la casuistique, cet essai compare des exemples hypothétiques spécifiques de meurtres d’individus relativement sans défense, en commençant avec des scénarios qui offrent un consensus général clair, pour passer ensuite à des cas plus controversés. Cette recherche montre que la violence contemporaine perpétrée au nom de la libération des animaux, que l’on considère souvent comme étant téméraire et radicale, est en fait assez retenue. L’objectif de cet article ne consiste pas à prendre position au sujet de la façon dont les libérationnistes devraient se comporter, mais plutôt à mettre en évidence les incohérences flagrantes de nos attitudes face à la violence perpétrée au nom des êtres qui sont relativement sans défense. (shrink)

"Contemporary earth and animal activists often seem to think and operate independently and neither seems to have much understanding of the other. Instead of continuing this lack of engagement, this eclectic anthology highlights important areas of common ground"--.

This paper is an exploration of verbal activism and animal liberation, starting with a brief explanation of Wittgenstein's views on the nature and role of language. A discussion of lexical gaps, linguistic change, and verbal activism follows: The paper introduces the word, "anymal," to fill a lexical gap and to provide a form of verbal activism.

When we have greater understanding of the forces that create a particular problem, we have a better chance at addressing a problem. Employing the work of previous scholars, first, Chap. 4 introduces and explores a few key reasons why social justice activism suffers from internal sexism (a lack of solidarity among women and gender norms in the larger society, complete with toxic masculinity and rape culture). Next, four case studies are introduced that revolve around sexual assault inside four distinct social (...) justice causes, including anymal activism, the environmental movement, tenants’ rights, and the Freedom Summers. Then, using these four case studies both as points of reference and as concrete examples, the rest of the chapter examines a series of attributes common to social justice movements that scholars note foster, protect, and enhance sexism and male privilege inside social justice organizations and among activists, including frames and framing, inside facing loyalty, male leadership, male networks, heroization, demon-savior dichotomies, social capital, and group narratives/collective memories. (shrink)

The first chapter introduces core ideas—sexism, speciesism, and male privilege—through an examination of the labor and crimes of pig farmer and serial killer Robert Pickton, then formally introduces sexism, speciesism, male privilege, the #MeToo Movement, #ARMeToo Movement, and word activism. With regard to the latter, “anymal” and “interfacing oppressions” are introduced as novel referents. At its closing, the introduction provides an overview of upcoming chapters.

Twenty-two engaging and approachable essays, written by scholars and activists working to protect the world’s eight bear species, explore pressures that threaten the world’s remaining bears, offering a tapestry of possibilities for protecting and preserving these endangered yet much-loved beings.

The final chapter of Oppressive Liberation returns to the Robert Pickton case to examine and critique a PETA ad and common responses to the ad, exposing interfacing oppressions. The chapter then grounds Oppressive Liberation in the time-honored activist’s world of speaking out to bring change. The book concludes by assessing all that is at stake for anymal activists if they fail to confront sexism in the movement.

This chapter analyzes testimonials posted at CANHAD.org: Collective against Nonprofit Harassment and Discrimination: For Social Justice Advocates, a website focused on harassment and discrimination in social justice activism, which was promoted almost exclusively in anymal activist circles. Testimonials from this website align with the work of scholars in the field of social justice activism, demonstrating the problematic nature of need for community, inside-facing loyalty, male leadership, and internal romances. Finally, Chap. 6 reflects on the ongoing discussion revolving around PETA’s naked (...) march. (shrink)

Chapter 7 analyzes interconnections between 12 empowered and privileged men and 10 key anymal activist organizations (with which one or more of them are/were affiliated prior to the advent of the #ARMeToo Movement), thereby exposing sexism and male privilege manifest as/in male networks, disproportionate representation of males as spokespersons, leaders, and admittees into the Hall of Fame. Researched in 2017, prior to the rush of the #MeToo Movement, details in this chapter shed light on the depth and breadth of sexism (...) in anymal activism prior to changes brought about by the #MeToo Movement. (shrink)

Drawing on the work of previous scholars and information presented in previous chapters, Chapter 9 exposes the many harms of sexism and male privilege among social justice activists. Key harms include individual psychological harms (such as fear and stress, shame and self-hatred, and broken trust and despair), harms to organizations (such as squandered time, skills, people power, and funds), and harms to the effectiveness and integrity of the Animal Ethics Movement.

This chapter considers a variety of ways that independent activists might work against sexism and male privilege without needing the support or cooperation of organizational leadership. Suggestions include organizing and creating woman-only spaces, cross-pollination with feminists, openly and boldly standing with survivors, overtly rejecting heroization, challenging anyone who blames or disparages women who have come forward, tending away from internal heterosexual relationships, rejecting the assignment of gender-specific roles, calling others in rather than calling them out, and employing verbal activism to (...) call attention to problems at hand (and encourage change). Before closing, this chapter addresses the role and importance of allies. (shrink)

The first half of Chap. 2 introduces ecofeminist theory to debunk dualisms and explore the interface of speciesism and sexism. The second half surveys ancient philosophies (Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous) for a richer understanding of interconnections, from the transmigration of souls in India and the radical oneness of Zen Buddhism, through the Great Unity and endless transformations of matter in Chinese religions, to the mythologies of South America and Africa and the unity established by the Creator in texts core (...) to Middle Eastern religions. Finally, interconnections are examined through the lens of science, including quantum entanglement, Big Bang theory, and the endless transformations of matter. If oppressions are as interconnected as ancient philosophies and science indicate, there is no way to defeat any social justice concern—speciesism, racism, ableism, homophobia, or ageism—while activists perpetuate sexism. (shrink)

This paper investigates consistency in applied moral philosophy with regard to the recent controversy over Makah whaling in the state of Washington. The first part presents both sides of the controversy. The second part examines the meaning of 'tradition' and distinguishes between 'new' and 'old' traditions. The third part explores what might constitute moral consistency for the Makah and what might constitute moral consistency for the larger community.

While explicitly set against a backdrop of sexism in social justice activism more generally, this book exposes causes, pervasiveness, harms, and possible directions for change with regard to sexism and male privilege in the animal activist movement. Employing the work of previous scholars, Dr. Lisa Kemmerer exposes the commonplace nature and causes of sexism and male privilege in social justice activism, then focuses on anymal activists, including new data that has not previously been published. The book also explores the crushing (...) harms caused by sexism in the movement and an extensive array of possible directions for change. In various places throughout the text, Kemmerer refocuses on the interface of sexism and speciesism, and one full chapter explores a philosophies of interconnection from around the world and down through time. Also included are six essays from contributing authors who offer fresh angles on the topic, and who provide contextualized experiences with intersectional oppressions. While the book focuses specifically on animal activism, the end-goal of the book is total liberation—an end to all forms of privilege and marginalization. (shrink)

In the last 30 years the bushmeat trade has led to the slaughter of nearly 90 percent of West Africa’s bonobos, perhaps our closest relatives, and has recently driven Miss Waldron’s red colobus monkey to extinction. Earth was once rich with primates, but every species—except one—is now extinct or endangered because of one primate—_Homo sapiens_. How have our economic and cultural practices pushed our cousins toward destruction? Would we care more about their fate if we knew something of their individual (...) lives and sufferings? Would we help them if we understood how our choices threaten their existence? This anthology helps to answer these questions. The first section of _Primate People _introduces forces that threaten nonhuman primates, such as the entertainment and “pet” industries, the bushmeat trade, habitat destruction, and logging. The second section exposes the exploitation of primates in research facilities, including the painful memories of an undercover agent, and suggests models of more enlightened scientific methods. The final section tells the stories of those who lobby for change, educate communities, and tenderly care for our displaced cousins in sanctuaries. Sometimes shocking and disturbing, sometimes poignant and encouraging, _Primate People _always draws the reader into the lives of nonhuman primates. Activists around the world reveal the antics and pleasures of monkeys, the tendencies and idiosyncrasies of chimpanzees, and the sufferings and fears of macaques. Charming, difficult, sensitive—these testimonies demonstrate that nonhuman primates and human beings are, indeed, closely related. Woven into the anthology’s lucid narratives are the stories of how we harm and create the conditions that endanger primates, and what we can and _must _do to prevent their ongoing suffering and fast-approaching extinction. (shrink)

This chapter presents and analyzes data from an international, online Qualtrics survey (2017–2020) collecting data on harassment and discrimination in the anymal activist community. This survey provides data regarding the demography of movement perpetrators, types of harassment/discrimination experienced/witnessed, manifestations of harassment/discrimination, numbers of individuals effected, consequences for perpetrators (lack thereof), and sheds light on the importance of social capital, male networks, need for community (manifest as inside-facing loyalty), and organization policies and reporting.

At the height of the #MeToo Movement, allegations of sexism and male privilege in the movement reached not only the larger activist community, but the general public, through blogs, social media posts, and major news sources such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and ABC 7 News. Chapter 8 explores this information for evidence of sexism and male privilege stemming from well-known, considerably empowered men in key organizations. Simultaneously, this chapter testifies to the possibility for change (...) in social justice circles through collective, organized responses to sexism and male privilege. (shrink)

This chapter first explores intersectionality—its roots in the theorizing of Black legal scholars and controversy entailed in applying this term to the experiences of anymals (nonhuman animals). An alternative reference is introduced: interfacing oppressions. The rest of the chapter explores concerns regarding a white author writing on the topic of sexism, presenting arguments on both sides and written in collaboration with a queer-identified Black researcher, an Indian-American professor, a Black scholar, and a Native American professor.

Most anymal activists are in some way affiliated with one or more activist organizations, whether as volunteers, donors, interns, employees, or members; many of the problems highlighted in previous chapters are most effectively addressed inside organizations. This chapter considers organizational changes necessary in order to address sexism in the movement, including the hiring of women, cross-pollination with other social justice organizations, an accountability process, creating and enforcing policies, and revisiting collective memory and group narratives. Finally, this chapter explores the makeup (...) and role of a hypothetical umbrella organization (Anymal Activist Umbrella Committee, or AUCC) designed to address movement-wide concerns, including sexism. (shrink)

Marc Bekoff & Jessica Pierce, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009, ix, 204 pp., Cloth 28, paper 17, ISBN 10: 0-226-04-163-8 ISBN 10: 0-226-04-161-1 Angie, a little mixed-bree...

Metamorphoses of the Zoo marshals a unique compendium of critical interventions that envision novel modes of authentic encounter that cultivate humanity's biophilic tendencies without abusing or degrading other animals. These take the form of radical restructurings of what were formerly zoos or map out entirely new, post-zoo sites or experiences. The result is a volume that contributes to moral progress on the inter-species front and eco-psychological health for a humankind whose habitats are now mostly citified or urbanizing.