About
The purpose of this website is to collect and share a variety of resources which address speciesism, the enslavement and exploitation of nonhuman animals, and the commonality of oppression. We seek to represent views from various philosophers, academics, historic figures as well as modern-day activists and present these views in a way that is concise and accessible to the general public.
The parallels between human and nonhuman slavery, discrimination and oppression are not drawn here in order to diminish or demean the human experience, but rather to explore and consider the nature of dominance, exploitation and prejudice across lines of race, sex and species. Like racism and sexism, “speciesism” is a form of discrimination. Coined by philosopher Richard Ryder in 1973, the term “speciesism” refers to the “widely held belief that the human species is inherently superior to other species and so has rights or privileges that are denied to other sentient animals. ‘Speciesism’ can also be used to describe the oppressive behaviour, cruelty, prejudice and discrimination that are associated with such a belief. ”
Comparing various “ism’s” — such as racism and sexism — with speciesism is bound to generate some criticism and discomfort, particularly in those who may have experienced discrimination personally, or whose ancestors suffered because of it. This is understandable, particularly in light of pro-slavery comparisons that were drawn between black people and animals — a comparison which was meant to diminish the humanity of black people and reinforce the notion of white superiority. But as Marjorie Spiegel, author of the ground-breaking work, The Dreaded Comparison notes, “Comparing the suffering of animals to that of blacks (or any other oppressed group) is offensive only to the speciesist.”
Just as it is unethical to discriminate against someone on the basis of their gender or race, it is unethical to discriminate against someone on the basis of their species. Over the years, many writers, philosophers and educators have explored the injustice of speciesism and the links between human and animal oppression. On Nonhuman Slavery seeks to collect and share these resources in the hopes of furthering discussion and thought on this vital topic. – J. Tyler, 2010
Contributors are welcome.
Excellent, thank you for the website.
Can you add RSS feed to the site?
All set…there’s an RSS link in the menu above
Thank you for the love you’re showing back to the world.
Hare Krishna
Thank you very much for your website, via FB.. I learned awhile back in psychology class, remember reading about the Holocost. After the Neuremburg Trails at the Hague, one pyschologist stated after interveiwing the Nazi war criminals, he had only one thing to say in reference to this group and here it is” Evil is the absence of Empathy”. A quality they ALL shared…The moment we beleive that animals are not sentient beings, is when we lose our humanity. It has always been easier to destroy than to create….And as I recall, when the Ten Commandments were handed down, God said ” thou shalt not kill” didn’t mean just humans, I am sure HE meant ALL life forms and when He said dominion, HE did not mean Domination and there IS a difference between the two.
When our taste buds rule the world, we must take stock in what is truely right, which is, every creature should have the same rights as we freely enjoy everyday. Until we rail at the injustice of our actions, our fellow breathren, the animals, they will contine to suffer and die at the hands of man…What a tragedy. It is honestly time to take a stand and speak for those with no choice and no voice.
Thank you very much for your insightful comment, Christina.