Connecting feminist, antiracist, and animal politics: A bridge too far?

Abstract

In the past decade, animal and antiracist politics are on the rise in the Netherlands and Belgium. Both integrate feminism into their political practice, albeit in divergent ways. Nevertheless, their core concerns are generally viewed as antithetical on a conceptual, normative, and politically practical level. This paper explores the extent to which feminist, antiracist, and animal concerns are (in)commensurable. Coupling the ecofeminist analysis of dualism developed by Val Plumwood with recent developments in black studies advanced by Claire Jean Kim and Zakiyyah Iman Jackson, processes of animalisation and dehumanisation are scrutinised. It is demonstrated that the onto-epistemological categories of gender, race, and animality connect on the level of being subjected to the logic of domination exemplary of Western thought (1), and on the level of being the abject yet constitutive Others of the normative category of ‘the human’ (2). Subsequently, to build bridges between feminist, antiracist, and animal advocacy movements, it is argued that animal advocates need to critically question the assumption of ‘human privilege’ and stop using slavery analogies, while feminists and antiracists should aspire to divest from human supremacy. A new approach to collective liberation in the Low Countries is needed, one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of gender, race, and animality alike.

Animal Politics or Animal Police? Islamophobia and Animal Advocacy Politics

“…This antiracist momentum has also transpired onto the political stage when, in 2015 and 2016, two parties were founded and (later on) elected in parliament with, respectively, 3 and 1 seat(s). These parties, DENK (THINK) and BIJ1 (2GETHER), can be seen as the political representation of the renewed grassroots antiracist movement (Jung 2021). The latter party frequently references the PvdD as an example of how a small party can have significant influence, and its leaders have built since 2021 strong personal and political connections to the point that BIJ1 endorsed the PvdD in elections it was itself not participating.…”

“…2 Women are, and historically have been, at the forefront of animal advocacy movements (Deckha 2013;Gaarder 2011). The PvdD is an outspoken supporter of women's rights and stands out in the Lower House with its two women leaders among the predominantly men-led other parties (Jung 2021). The connection between women and animals runs deeper still, as argued by ecofeminist scholarship that theorizes patriarchy and human supremacy in relation to one another (e.g., Adams and Donovan 1995;Gaard 2019;Plumwood 1988).…”