...She Said, Without A Trace Of Irony.

Wow. Over at Feministing, we have Amanda Marcotte's long lost sister (or so you would think) writing about the similarities between femnism and animal rights. It's the sort of thing you can't make up:

I'll admit, this is a subject that I have been craving to post for quite some time now. Let me start off by introducing myself, this is my first post, although a true fan of feministing and an avid supporter of all things feminist, my interest and concentration in graduate school is more along the lines of animal rights, sociology of animals and ecofeminism, I have been a feminist probably since high school and an animal rightest since undergrad. It is only within the last few years that I started to really develop an passion in ecofeminism and the relationship between women's rights and animal rights. I write this post, because the more I learn about feminism and animal rights, it is obvious to me that a profound and deep correlation exists between both, although some feminists may argue otherwise.

Jesus. Another bimbo in grad school.

I wonder what an animal rightest is. Could it be an animal that has decided to become an anti-abortion neo-nazi skinhead? You can't get much righter than that, you know.

I write this entry because it is my passion to begin a deeper conversation with feminists [and others] about women's rights, animal rights and the interrelationship between the two. I am vegan and believe that my passion for "rights" in general encompasses all individuals, including those that are non-human or nature for that matter.

Nature is an individual? Who knew?

So is there a difference between us (women) and them (nonhuman animals)? This leading question is a profound cornerstone in many philosophical and social conversations. As a very proud feminist and vegan, it was always clear to me that there was a distinct connection between both feminism and vegetarianism. Throughout my career as a social activist, it has become increasingly fascinating that there are many feminists who are not vegetarian and vegetarians who are not feminists. In addition, there are many women who are part of the feminist movement, but not part of the animal rights movement and vice versa. Although, some individuals are not simultaneously part of both movements, the objective for both feminism and vegetarianism works to create a society that is equal for all living beings [and the environment], that is not oppressive and exploitative.

You know, I read the above paragraph and wonder just how much difference there is between a femnist and a cherrystone clam... At least in terms of higher brain functions.

Vegetarianism is deeply connected to the Women's Suffrage Movement. This connection illustrates a long desire for social equality for all (Leneman 1997). Many leaders in the Women's Suffragist Movement were vegetarian and advocates for other progressive movements (Leneman 1997) (George 1994). Vegetarianism is deeply connected to the Women's Suffrage Movement. This connection illustrates a long desire for social equality for all (Leneman 1997). Many leaders in the Women's Suffragist Movement were vegetarian and advocates for other progressive movements (Leneman 1997) (George 1994). Many women during this era made the connection between the killing of animals for food and the killing for fur. One woman, Maude Arncliffe- Sennett (1913) remarked on an advertisement of a model wearing a fur coat: "these women all seem to me hateful - they represent so much killing!"

"Many women during this era made the connection between the killing of animals for food and the killing for fur..." So did the neanderthals, sweetie, so I'm not sure it constitutes a bragging point.

Margaret Cousins was a woman heavily involved in the Vegetarian Movement and the Women's Suffrage Movement. When addressing the Vegetarian Society in 1907 she stressed that women should adopt a simple diet of grains/fruits/nuts to reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen in preparing meat meals (Leneman 1997). Cousins declared that if women switched to a meatless diet they would have more time to think about social problems and use their intellectualism (Leneman 1997).

"Cousins declared that if women switched to a meatless diet they would have more time to think about social problems and use their intellectualism..."And it takes 100+ years of thinking about social problems and using their "intellectualism" to end up in grad school writing blogs about the interrelationship between womyn's rights and animal rights. How'd that work out, eh?

Women that were activists in the Vegetarian Movement also became advocates for the Anti-Vivisection Movement. Women were identifying the victimization of women and victimization of animals. "It [anti-vivisection movement] taught that if there is this kinship physically between all living creatures, surely responsibility rests upon us to see that these creatures, who have nerves as we have, who are made of the same flesh and blood as we are, who have minds differing from ours not in kind but in degree, should be protected, as far as in our power lies, from ill-treatment, cruelty, and abuse of every kind" (Louise Lind-af-Hageby 1913).

Where womyn being victimized by vivisectionists in 1913?

This historical connection is only one example regarding the interrelationship between woman and animals. There are other significant cultural influences that suggest a gendered relationship between these two populations. Carol J. Adams, author of "Sexual Politics of Meat" and "Pornography of Meat" illustrates this example better then I ever could ever explain, her works are a powerful resource to connect this relationship. She discusses that our language is a precursor to exploitation of women and animals.

God, you just knew she'd have to drag Carol Adams into this brainfart, didn't you?

Adams (1990) suggests a popular example when a woman has been victimized by a man, "I felt like a piece of meat" (Adams 1990: 53). The aforementioned phrase is used frequently by battered women and illustrates that they do not want to be treated in the terrible fashion that animals are treated. Women that are victimized by men experience feelings of exploitation and objectification. Using phrases as the latter indicate that animals are treated poorly and that women do not want to be treated in the same way. In regard to the victimization of women, they express that the killing experience for animals is equitable to the experience of rape or violence against women (Adams 1990).

The above paragraph qualifies as some of the worst writing I have ever seen out of anyone not named Amanda Marcotte. It takes a special sort of talent to fuck up a paraphrase of Carol Adams.

Finally, the feminist movement and animal rights movement signify the values of equality, justice, and rights. However, I write this piece because it is continuously perplexing to me that these movements do not come together in "mainstream" activism (albeit ecofeminism does this). This "joint movement" could assist in creating an equal society for all oppressed individuals.

What sort of value, exactly, is a right? 

The purpose of this entry was a small sample of one my interests, in which I hope to begin a positive conversation about this subject with the feministing community. My questions to the community are: Do you believe that feminists should be vegetarian? Do you think that there is a strong interrelationship between women and animals?

 And my questions to the community are as follows: 

• Is grammar and syntax gender specific? If not, then why can't I find a femnist who can write a simple declarative sentence of, say, 30 words that doesn't contain at least 5 errors of grammar and/or syntax?
• Aren't too many femnists vegetarians and vegans as it is? One read of Femnisting, Pandagon or I Blame The Patriarchyand you have to suspect that these womyn are not getting enough protein. Or oxygen, for that matter.
• So if we all stop eating sliders at White Castle tomorrow, the world will be that much closer to some sort of de-gendered justice?
• If you were a dim-bulb ecofemnist fucking around in grad school and The Patriarchy came up with a magical way to transform you into an animal, what sort of animal would you be?
• And finally, let's see some ecofemnist explain the deep and profound intersection between womyn and the geoduck.

 

 

Comments

[wayne fontes]

Do you know any good sites where I can view some meat porn Dennis? I've never heard of it but I think I want to get some.

[Simon]

I like the way she references the various academic studies - you don't often see that in a blog post. Of course take away - (Leneman 1997) (George 1994) and you haven't got a lot left.

I often think references to academic studies should have pictures of the authors as well. I'm guessing Leneman and George might look a little like this

Not sure if this quote adds a lot of value either -

"One woman, Maude Arncliffe- Sennett (1913) remarked on an advertisement of a model wearing a fur coat: "these women all seem to me hateful - they represent so much killing!"

[DonnieDarko]

I saw a convergence of animal and woman's rights in a bar in Nuevo Laredo but that's another story.

[Eric Blair]

Per the questions:
1. Grammar and syntax: I used to not think this was so, but I'm beginning to think that there may indeed be some sort of built in difference in modes of expression between men and women. That, or it was just a substandard education.

2.vegewhatevers. This is typically just fashion, and yes, probably they are not getting the proper mix of nutrients. I say this with all seriousness, because, if you look at cuisines around the world, very few are vegetarian, and those that are either have some protein rich vegetable built in, or make up some rule like 'fish is really vegetable not animal'. And the people that subsist on them eat only that cuisine, which none of these women do.

3. No, but you'd put white castle and a bunch of working poor out of a job, but unintended consequences is usually the result of such thinking.

4. I freely admit, I have no answer for that.

5. Patriarchy!

[Allen]

Here we go again, another feminist who will be shocked and angry over not getting that high paying job with a masters degree in ecofeminism.

The deep rich irony is that she probably doesn't realize that the "sociology of animals" is directly related to "animal husbandry."

The Patriarchy! strikes again.

[EJ]

If every single sentence in your post is a reference to one paper, wouldn't it be easier to just link to an abstract of that paper?

The abstract would probably at least be grammatical.

[markg8]

"And it takes 100+ years of thinking about social problems and using their "intellectualism" to end up in grad school writing blogs about the interrelationship between womyn's rights and animal rights. How'd that work out, eh?

Oh let's see, women have gotten the right to vote, open their own bank accounts, all kinds of rights over the last hundred years. They didn't get them using guns or brawn, so I guess it's worked out pretty well.

[Dennis the Peasant]

They didn't get them by going to grad school for ecofemnism, either.

[VoodooJock]

Amazing, a leftist as a rightest!

[markg8]

Oh I forgot, they pretty much got the right to go to grad school too.

[BlueBerry_who_couldnt_find_his_ass_with_both_hands]

Oh I forgot, they pretty much got the right to go to grad school too.

Uh, women were able to go to college long before they got suffrage. In the antebellum South, women (including manumitted Blacks & Mullatoes) could own slaves and run businesses. Perhaps you should open a history book sometime that wasn't written for the dolts in Public School.

[markg8]

Keep looking for your ass blueberry and when you find it fist yourself looking for your brains. Once you've dislodged them from your rectum google how many women went to graduate school before the 1970s. A good example of opportunities available to women in this country is one I posted before. Sandra Day O'Conner graduated third in her Stanford Law School class and couldn't get hired as a lawyer. Third in her class. One firm did offer her a position as a legal secretary.

But please do respond with more neo nazi crap about the number of blacks who owned slaves in the old south. I'd love nothing better than to expose you and your sources for what they are.

[PeterUK]

"Margaret Cousins was a woman heavily involved in the Vegetarian Movement and the Women's Suffrage Movement. When addressing the Vegetarian Society in 1907 she stressed that women should adopt a simple diet of grains/fruits/nuts to reduce the amount of time spent in the kitchen in preparing meat meals (Leneman 1997)."

How very middle class. Growing grains/fruits/nuts takes no time. They probably do their gathering at the wholefood shop.

[Dennis the Peasant]

Mark-

As to sources, try Kenneth Stampp's The Peculiar Institution. And be careful in your fury to denounce: Stampp's work has been in publication for over 50 years. It remains one of the great pieces of historical scholarship on the nature of slavery in the United States.

[Dennis the Peasant]

It's also worth noting that O'Connor's response to the discrimination she faced was to refuse to retreat into perpetual victimhood and abjectly silly pseudo-intellectual "scholarship".

[BlueBerry_who_couldnt_find_his_ass_with_both_hands]

Once you've dislodged them from your rectum google how many women went to graduate school before the 1970s.

What the? You said they were incapable of going. I called bullshit. I'll give you two names: Elizabeth & Emily Blackwell.

A good example of opportunities available to women in this country is one I posted before. Sandra Day O'Conner graduated third in her Stanford Law School class and couldn't get hired as a lawyer. Third in her class. One firm did offer her a position as a legal secretary.

Which has exactly nothing to do with what I wrote.

But please do respond with more neo nazi crap about the number of blacks who owned slaves in the old south. I'd love nothing better than to expose you and your sources for what they are.

Ah, Godwin's Law, the last refuge of the intellectually dishonest.

Does the name Dr. John Hope Franklin ring a bell? He's a (deceased) Duke University professor who reported that the US Federal Census shows there were over 10,000 blacks (free/slave) living in New Orleans. Of these, 3000 Free Blacks, who owned slaves.

Might wanna do a check for Mistress L. Horry while you're at it. She was a free black woman living in Cotellon District, South Carolina who owned 84 slaves.

[markg8]

Dennis I checked reviews of Stammp's book "The Peculiar Institution" and there's nothing about black American slave owners. If he mentioned it it's not the trust of his book. He wasn't a racist looking to make excuses for slavery. If anything he was the opposite.

Blueberry you're not actually quoting Franklin, you're quoting Robert M. Grooms whose work is cited mainly on ultra-conservative and racist websites to make a point about the history of slavery. Grooms' main point was that since Blacks owned Blacks, it was only a matter of time before slavery ended Blacks were "equal" since they could own Black slaves).

Typepad still sucks. This is my third attempt to post.

[PeterUK]

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