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.
Author(s): Lisa Kemmerer
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 429
City: Cham
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
