Oppressive Liberation: Sexism in Animal Activism

Description

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. Acknowledgements Contents List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction: Speciesism, Sexism, and Male Privilege Feminism and Animal Activism Sexism Male Privilege Speciesism and Human Privilege Sexism and Speciesism #MeToo Movement and #ARMeToo Movement Word Choice as Activism Definitions Words Rejected/Replaced Novel Referent: “Anymal” Word Clarification—Referencing the Anymal Activist Movement Novel Referent: Intersectionality, Appropriation, and “Interfacing Oppressions” Talking About Binaries About This Book End Goals Part I: A Wide-Angle View of Interconnected Oppressions Chapter 2: Interconnections: Theory, Myth, and Science Ecofeminism Dualism Among Anymal Activists: Misanthropy and Misogyny Dualism and the Interface of Sexism and Speciesism Estranged Siblings Religious Worldviews Ancient Indian and Chinese Philosophies and Religions Ancient and Contemporary Indigenous Philosophies and Religions Ancient Jewish, Christian, Islamic Philosophies and Religions Science Concluding Remarks Chapter 3: Whiteness as Norm, Intersectionality, and Interfacing Oppressions Intersectionality A Collaborative, Critical Examination of a White Author Writing About Sexism Examining “Intersectionality” Among White Activists White Women Writing About Sexism Verdict: Why and How White Women Might Legitimately Write About (Non-Intersectional) Sexism Qualified “Yes” Regarding a White Women Addressing Sexism Concluding Remarks Chapter 4: The “Why” of Sexism in Social Justice Movements Competition and Conflict Versus Solidarity Gender Norms Toxic Masculinity and Rape Culture Four Case Studies: Sexism and Male Privilege in Social Justice Movements 1. Anymal Activist Movement, United States/Overseas, 2009–2010 (“Testimonials” n.p., #15) 2. Environmental Movement, Oregon, 2005 3. Tenant’s Rights Movement, Boston/Caribbean, 1996 4. Freedom Summer/s, Mississippi, 1964 (and 1965) II. Why Sexism in Social Justice Movements? Frames and Framing Inside-Facing Loyalty Male Leadership Male Networks—The Ol’ Boys’ Club Heroization Demon/Savior Dichotomies Social Capital: Leaders and Spokespersons Social Capital: Methods Group Narratives and Collective Memories Concluding Remarks Part II: Exposing Sexism and Male Privilege in the Anymal Activist Movement Chapter 5: Survey Data on Harassment and Discrimination in the Anymal Activist Community The Survey “Kris” Perpetrators Types of Harassment and Discrimination Manifestations of Harassment and Discrimination The Role of Social Capital Evidence of Male Networks Number of Individuals Affected The Critical Role of Need for Community and Inside-Facing Loyalty The Problem of Policies Problems with Reporting Lack of Consequences for Perpetrators Backlash Respondents/Internalized Sexism Concluding Remarks Chapter 6: CANHAD: Testimonials from the Anymal Activist Community Revealing Internal Sexism CANHAD Testimonials Sexism and the Preference for Male Leadership Sexism and Male Leadership Sexism and Emotions Problematic Relations with Empowered Men Problematic Male Donors Need for Community Problematic Inside-Facing Loyalty The “Naked March” Concluding Remarks Chapter 7: Evidence of Systemic Sexism and Male Privilege in Anymal Activism Prior to #MeToo Leadership—Privileged Men and Male Networks Leadership Sex Ratios in Prominent AE Organizations Speaker Sex Ratios: FARM U.S. National Conference Animal Rights Hall of Fame (FARM) Concluding Remarks Chapter 8: The #ARMeToo Movement: Empowered Perpetrators Exposed at HSUS, MFA, and DxE Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Mercy for Animals (MFA) Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) Concluding Remarks Part III: Harms of and Solutions to Sexism in the Anymal Activist Movement Chapter 9: Harms of Sexism and Male Privilege in the AE Community Harms Reported via the Survey and CANHAD Testimonials Psychological Harms Fear and Stress Shame and Self-hatred Broken Trust and Despair Wasted Time, Skills, and People Power Squandered Funds Sexism as Hypocrisy in the AE Movement Concluding Remarks Chapter 10: Working Against Sexism and Male Privilege Inside Organizations Hire Women Education and Cross-Pollination False Reporting and Accountability Create/Enforce Policies Recreate Collective Memory and Group Narratives Shared Power: An Anymal Activist Umbrella Committee (AAUC) Concluding Remarks Chapter 11: Independent Activists Working Against Sexism and Male Privilege Cross-Pollination with Feminists Creating Safe Spaces and Organizing Stand Together Reject Heroism Challenge Those Who Attack; Protect the Messenger Be Aware of Problems Inherent in Internal Heterosexual Relationships Reject Gender Roles Calling In versus Calling Out Word Activism Allies Concluding Remarks Part IV: Critical Reflections from Anymal Activists Chapter 12: Meet the New Vegan World Introduction When Social Change Becomes an Industry The Plant-Based Industry Saves the World Intersectionality: A False Solution Meet the New Vegan World, Same as the Old Chapter 13: Liberation Is Not Total If It Does Not Include Disabled People Chapter 14: White Supremacy and Anymal Activism White Supremacy as Speciesism in Anymal Activism Implications of White Supremacy in Anymal Shelters White Supremacy, Anymal Activism, and the Criminal Justice System Giving Voice Conclusion Chapter 15: Cis-Male Dominance in Anymal Activism from a Transgender Perspective Introduction Voices of Compassion, Voices of Cruelty The Moral Circle Hero, Victims, Silent Witness Finding Hope as a Trans Anymal Activist Coming Out and an Interview How Long Will It Take? Chapter 16: Towards a (Pro)Feminist Anymal Activist Movement: Reflections from Estonia Introduction The AE Movement in Estonia: Brief Overview Creating Feminist Spaces in the AE Movement Overlapping Oppressions and Collaboration Men and Masculinities in the AE Movement Conclusion Chapter 17: When the Rite of Passage Is Wrong: One White Man’s (Ongoing) Journey from Toxicity to Anymal Activism/Social Justice Branding a Boy Death or Vegan, Which Will It Be? Vegan + Agents for Change Cishet White Males—What’s Next Working Toward Ally/Accomplice Part V: Conclusion Chapter 18: Conclusion: Meta-Reflections on Sexism in Anymal Activism Activism and Information: Pickton, a PETA Ad, and the Public Voice An Oppressive Liberation Movement Appendix 1: Kemmerer Survey on Harassment and Discrimination in the Anymal Activist Community Introduction Section 1—Describe Yourself Section 2—Describe Your Involvement in Animal Advocacy Section 3—Describe Your Experiences with Harassment and/or Discrimination Appendix 2: Survey Demography Appendix 3: How to Access the Cooney Legal Documents Appendix 4: Vegan Outreach Discrimination and Harassment Policy Definitions Implementation Complaints Procedure Self-Help Initial Complaint Informal Complaint Formal Complaint Witnessing Discrimination and Harassment Complaints Against Third Parties Complaints by Third Parties Anonymous Complaints Conclusion Appendix 5: Tofurky: Donor Organization Charitable Giving Policy on Gender Discrimination and Harassment The Tofurky Company—Charitable Giving Program Policy on Gender Discrimination and Harassment Appendix 6: Letter Addressing Complaints Against Anthony Nocella Appendix 7: Email Exchange Between Rachel Perman and Erika Brunson Works Cited Index