Decolonising Animals

Decolonising Animals explores how non-human animals are affected by colonial structures and processes, and offers suggestions for how humans can decolonise their relationships with them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2023
Publisher: Sydney University Press

The lives of non-human animals, their ways of being and seeing, their experiences and knowledge, and their relationships with each other continue to be ignored, discounted, written over, and destroyed by anthropocentric practices and endeavors. Within the vestiges of colonialism, this silence and occlusion co-opts and consumes animals, physically and culturally, into the servitude of human interests, and selective narratives of history and progress. Decolonizing Animals brings together critical interrogations, case studies, and creative explorations that identify and examine how non-human animals are affected by and respond to colonial structures and processes. Included in this collection are the perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, artists, and activists and the ways in which they have questioned colonial ways of knowing, engaging with, and representing animals. Importantly, the book presents suggestions for how humans can decolonize their relationships with non-human animals and with each other.

Non-human animals have been subjected to a range of harmful practices and attitudes throughout history, from exploitation and abuse to neglect and indifference. These practices have not only caused immense suffering and pain to these animals but have also had significant impacts on their ecosystems and the broader environment. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the need to address these issues and to promote the welfare and well-being of non-human animals.

One of the key challenges facing the animal rights movement is the widespread perception that animals are not worthy of moral consideration or respect. This perception is often rooted in cultural and religious beliefs that view animals as inferior to humans and as objects to be used for human purposes. However, there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that animals have complex cognitive abilities, emotions, and social structures that deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Another challenge facing the animal rights movement is the lack of legal protections and protections for non-human animals. Many countries have laws that protect animals from cruelty and abuse, but these laws are often inadequate or poorly enforced. This leaves animals vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, and it allows for the continuation of practices that are harmful to their welfare.

To address these challenges, the animal rights movement has been working to promote a range of policies and practices that promote the welfare and well-being of non-human animals. These policies and practices include the abolition of animal testing, the promotion of veganism and vegetarianism, the protection of animal habitats and ecosystems, and the recognition of the rights of animals to express their natural behaviors and to live in social groups.

One of the key strategies of the animal rights movement is to raise public awareness about the issues facing non-human animals and to promote a shift in public attitudes towards these animals. This can be achieved through a range of means, including education, advocacy, and public campaigns.

Education is a critical component of the animal rights movement, as it helps to promote a greater understanding of the complex issues facing non-human animals and to challenge the cultural and religious beliefs that support their exploitation. Advocacy is another important strategy, as it involves working to promote policies and practices that protect non-human animals and to challenge those that harm them. Public campaigns are also an effective way to raise awareness and to promote change, as they can reach a wide audience and can have a significant impact on public attitudes and behavior.

In addition to these strategies, the animal rights movement has also been working to build alliances with other social justice movements, such as the environmental movement and the human rights movement. These alliances can help to promote a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings and to promote a more holistic approach to addressing social and environmental issues.

One of the key achievements of the animal rights movement has been the recognition of the rights of animals to express their natural behaviors and to live in social groups. This recognition has led to the development of more humane and ethical practices in the animal agriculture industry, as well as in other industries that use animals for human purposes.

Another achievement of the animal rights movement has been the promotion of veganism and vegetarianism. These diets are not only healthier for humans but are also more ethical and sustainable, as they reduce the demand for animal products and the associated environmental impacts.

Despite these achievements, the animal rights movement faces ongoing challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the resistance from industries that rely on the exploitation and abuse of animals, such as the animal agriculture industry and the entertainment industry. These industries often lobby against policies and practices that promote animal welfare and oppose efforts to raise public awareness about the issues facing non-human animals.

Another challenge is the lack of political will and support for animal rights policies and practices. Many politicians and policymakers are reluctant to address these issues, as they are often seen as a distraction from more pressing social and economic concerns. This can lead to a lack of progress in promoting animal welfare and in protecting the rights of animals.

Despite these challenges, the animal rights movement continues to be a powerful force for change. By promoting policies and practices that promote the welfare and well-being of non-human animals, by raising public awareness about these issues, and by building alliances with other social justice movements, the movement is working to create a more just and compassionate world for all living beings.

In conclusion, the lives of non-human animals, their ways of being and seeing, their experiences and knowledge, and their relationships with each other continue to be ignored, discounted, written over, and destroyed by anthropocentric practices and endeavors. However, there is a growing movement that is working to address these issues and to promote the welfare and well-being of non-human animals. By promoting policies and practices that promote the welfare and well-being of non-human animals, by raising public awareness about these issues, and by building alliances with other social justice movements, the animal rights movement is working to create a more just and compassionate world for all living beings.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781743328583