Culture

Perspective

Activists Make the Public Uncomfortable—But Why?

Activism can be effective, even when it is unpopular. Public disfavor is not always an indicator of whether or not a movement will succeed.

Culture•9 min read

Feature

The Psychology Behind Loving Ducks and Eating Them Too

During the pandemic, raising a baby duck became a trendy new pastime, but it's not as easy as it looks. Jessica Scott-Reid examines the complicated relationship between the animals we…

Culture•4 min read

Perspective

From Wet Markets to Meatpacking: Why Animal Advocacy Fails Without Anti-Racism

The U.S. has a long history of marking various oppressed groups as “Other,” especially in times of economic scarcity and crisis. COVID-19 is no different.

Culture•8 min read

Perspective

Why Underground Dog Fighting Needs to End

Despite being classified as a felony in every U.S. state, dog fighting takes place in many parts of the country. Dogs are forced to fight each other almost daily, and…

Culture•7 min read

Perspective

The Revolutionary Potential of Vegan Politics

Veganism is more than a diet—it's a political framework that challenges us to reexamine our relationship with gender, sexuality, and power in our everyday lives.

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

Dog for Dinner: Blasphemy or Hypocrisy?

How can individuals care about some animals and, at the same time, eat others? Human culture, rather than animals’ inherent moral worth, too often dictates which species are “okay” to…

Culture•8 min read

Perspective

Protesters, Pigs & the Diversity Problem in Animal Welfare

Allyship between the animal rights community and the Black community is tenuous, but it doesn’t have to be. Activists can organize to support all who are oppressed, regardless of species.

Culture•6 min read

Perspective

At Black Lives Matter Protests, Police Horses Become Another Troubling Symbol of Oppression

Interactions between Black people and mounted police at recent protests are a stark reminder of the country's racist past.

Culture•4 min read

Perspective

What Do Humans Owe to Wildlife in Urban Spaces?

Animals in urban areas are surprising us by venturing onto empty city streets. These animals, while largely invisible to human eyes, need our protection.

Culture•6 min read

Perspective

Animal Protection During COVID-19 and Beyond: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

In a new op-ed from Animal Equality UK, Michelle Baxter Wickham calls for more individual and corporate accountability to ensure farmed animals are better protected when we return to "normal."

Culture•5 min read

Conversations

Pandemics, Liberation and Animal Ag: An Interview With Peter Singer

Philosopher Peter Singer has been highly influential in shaping the ethical foundation for animal protection, in addition to his long career in ethics, especially utilitarianism.

Culture•18 min read

Perspective

The Psychology of Blaming Others During the Time of COVID-19

Humans are emotionally invested in ensuring that, whatever happens, the spotlight of blame never shines directly on us. So we blame wet markets in Asia for the spread of COVID-19…

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

Why the Climate Movement Is Failing Us: From A Black Woman Who Doesn’t Trust Science

Jasmine Leyva, director of The Invisible Vegan, unpacks the complicated relationship between people of color and the climate movement.

Culture•6 min read

Perspective

Coronavirus Pandemic Revitalizing Dispute Over Spanish Bullfighting

Public support for the bullfighting industry has been dwindling for years. The coronavirus pandemic is creating a novel opportunity for Spain to abolish the "sport" once and for all.

Culture•9 min read

Perspective

We Need To Evolve: The Gastro-Cultural & Ethnomedical Traditions That Got Us Here

As distinct as they are in place and time, zoonotic disease outbreaks all have one thing in common. They point to the prevailing gastro-cultural practices that welcome eating animals at…

Culture•14 min read

Perspective

Stop Treating Violence Against Animals as a Game

Gamifying violence does more than disrespect victims. It conditions perpetrators—and the public—to see victims as unworthy of respect and compassion.

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

In Response to Harriet Hall: The White Savior Is You, Not Joaquin Phoenix

After his rousing Oscar acceptance speech on Monday, Phoenix received sharp criticism from Harriet Hall for his expansive view of justice for all animals—revealing her own narrow lens.

Culture•6 min read

Perspective

Do Calls For Animal Rights Interfere With Religious Freedoms?

Animals play a role in religious ceremonies, meals, and sacrifices. Activists pursuing change to these roles face challenges regarding religious freedoms.

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

The Plight of Canadian Sled Dogs

At the heart of the Canadian Rockies, hundreds of sled dogs – naturally energetic and free-spirited animals – spend their days tethered to a six-foot chain.

Culture•3 min read

Explainer

What Each Major Religion Says About Animal Rights

Animal rights and religion overlap in more ways than are currently spoken about or reported on. Here are what the most practiced religions say regarding animals rights.

Culture•10 min read

Perspective

The Animal Rights Revolution: Coming to a Grocery Near You

Most people are opposed to animal suffering, and yet they condone the suffering of trillions by choosing to eat animal products. That's why activists are taking the fight for animal…

Culture•4 min read

Perspective

How We Introduce Animals to Children: A Story of Hypocrisy

How can we raise compassionate children if we teach them it's okay to mistreat animals as long as it's someone else doing it?

Culture•6 min read

Perspective

From Human Rights to Sentient Rights: The Next Generation of Rights Thinking

If we grant rights in order to reduce suffering, should we grant rights to everything that can suffer? Jamie Woodhouse unpacks animal sentience and the benefits of broadening our moral…

Culture•7 min read

Perspective

Summertime is the Cruelest Time for Sled Dogs

August is often the hottest month in the Northern hemisphere. Jessica Scott-Reid discusses what this means for sled dogs, who serve their owners' purpose only during the winter.

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

The Positive Side of Social Media: Empowering Future Generations

Smartphones and social media are creating the most connected generation yet. Can YouTube and Instagram help activists change the world faster?

Culture•7 min read

Perspective

The Ableist Argument Against Veganism

We can learn a great deal comparing the discrimination humans with disabilities face and the discrimination many nonhuman animals face. Examining the ableist perspective shows us how that logic either…

Culture•3 min read

Conversations

A True Activist: How One Woman is Putting Compassion Above All Else

There are people who are passionate about causes. And then there are people like Priya Sawhney who are willing to put everything on the line for what she believes. This…

Culture•5 min read

Perspective

From Shepherd to Advocate: Why I Focus on Animal Suffering

In a world rife with human suffering and problems, why should one focus on animal rights and animal suffering? My answer is at once moral, emotional, and rational.

Culture•18 min read

Perspective

Trump’s Right: The Kentucky Derby Is SAD!

Trump didn't complain about the Kentucky Derby because he cares about animals. But anything that brings attention to the fact that the Kentucky Derby is a disgrace is a good…

Culture•4 min read

Perspective

Animal Protection Groups in India Must Distance Themselves From Hatred

The cow is considered sacred in Hinduism, but India's growing cow protection movement has less to do with animal welfare than with vigilante violence towards the lowest-caste members of society.

Culture•3 min read

Review

Book Review: Ethical Vegetarianism and Veganism edited by Andrew Linzey and Clair Linzey

Only then can we change human and animal lives for the better. The morality of our civilization depends on it.

Culture•5 min read

Feature

Vegans Are Changing Restaurant Menus Around the World

It's World Vegan Day! This year, the number of people who call themselves vegans tripled, and more than half of Americans say they're trying to eat less meat. 51% of…

Culture•2 min read