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“Single-issue vegans”
A blog post on celebrating supermarkets for “spreading veganism”. I have come to notice that it is mainly the “single issue vegan” that takes offence when this type of “pragmatic veganism” is called into question. Single-issue vegans tend to focus only on the suffering of animals, as though that suffering happens in a vacuum. It…
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Conservation is no excuse for captivity
In the zoo in Amsterdam, two elephants have been born. Their births are being celebrated under the guise of “conservation.” This act of “conservation” is presented as necessary, since the existence of elephants is said to be under threat “due to the loss of habitat and poaching.” It is presented as if habitat loss and…
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“De-sentiencing” individuals
Dehumanization involves humans being actively stripped of their status as sentient beings. Stripped of their individuality, their desires, their needs, their agency. It is the act of reducing someone to a “something”. This way, people are made to lose their autonomy, their agency, and to no longer be recognized as someone. For animals, a similar process occurs. Legally and…
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“Live and let live”: The Weaponization of Tolerance
“Live and let live”: a saying often used to shut down those fighting for collective liberation, so that people don’t have to listen to -let alone act upon- the facts we lay out about the suffering behind the animal industry. The suffering of the animals, brought into existence only to “serve” humans. The suffering of…
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Reframing Language: From “Non-Human Animals” to Animals
The term “non-human animal” is often used to highlight that humans are animals as well. But by defining other animals as “non-human,” we still describe them in relation to the human animal — by centering them around what they are not. Even unintentionally, this language positions human animals at the center, as if they are the default. Therefore,…
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Parliamentary motion on cows’ freedom to graze: animal welfare as marketing tool
In April this year, the Dutch Parliament passed a motion (being a formal request by MPs asking the government to act (or not act) on a specific issue) on “weidegang van koeien” (cows’ freedom to graze). In this particular motion, the government is requested to obtain information on not just how many dairy farms claim…
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Why you shouldn’t use the term “animal-friendly”
The term “animal-friendly” (or “more animal-friendly”) in relation to the promotion of animal products suggests that an animal used for economic gain receives a certain kindness from the human who exploits it. This framing distracts from the reality that the animal is being used. The animal’s life and body subordinated to human interests. If you replace “animal-friendly” with “woman-friendly” in a context…