SOCIAL JUSTICE

Veganism and Social Justice

Veganism is more than just a diet. Although plant-based traditions have existed worldwide for centuries, the word “vegan” was defined in the 1940s by the UK-based Vegan Society as “the principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man.” As such, veganism shares with many other social justice movements a central belief in liberation. It actively seeks to expose speciesism. Like classism, racism, and sexism, speciesism is a value system based in hierarchy, dominance, and violence, and delivered via capitalism, colonialism, white supremacy, and patriarchy—the same forces that oppress human groups. On this education page, you can find more information about the relationship between the oppression of humans and animals and the interconnectedness of liberation movements. 

Referenced Sources 

• Vegan Angela Davis Connects Human and Animal Liberation | Counterpunch

• Our Animals, Ourselves | Lux Magazine

• How Industrial Slaughter Became the Blueprint for Modern Capitalism | Current Affairs

• Dietary Racism | Switch 4 Good

Further Reading

• Racism as Zoological Witchcraft by Aph Ko

• The Sexual Politics of Meat by Carol J. Adams