Because if you don't see how seemingly different types of oppression are similar and interconnected (that is, the roots are the same but the affected party may be different), then you won't be as effective in whatever advocacy work you're doing.
The above is part of a comment I left on a previous privilege post back in January, and is something that has fascinated me for a long time. That is, how folk can recognize their own particular form of oppression well enough, yet be seemingly privilege-blind when it comes to other forms. Before I continue though, I found an excellent article recently on what privilege really means, which I would encourage you to read because privilege by its very essence can be so damn hard to see, especially when we're the ones reaping its benefits.
(pausing while you finish reading)
While it may be tempting to think that once we recognize one form of oppression all the other ones are instantly easier to see, unfortunately, that's not the case. While some well-meaning vegans, for example, have been quick to point out that "all lives matter" when they see #BlackLivesMatter, do we really have the right to do this if we don't understand white privilege better, and recognize how we're complicit in a racist system? And how do you deal with or prioritize multiple oppressions when all of them have an impact?
Privilege and oppression can seem almost limitless, and perhaps they are. Are we all endowed with privilege blinders? I'm beginning to think so. Let me illustrate with a few more examples. One of the first labels I adopted and still wear is that of feminist. Considered a dirty and threatening word by far too many, feminism as its basic goal seeks gender equality. That's it in a nutshell. So why every single person isn't in favour of this concept baffles me. Wouldn't allowing everyone to be their true selves instead of conforming to rigid and outdated gender stereotypes be a win-win for all? (I'm not being naive here, as I realize that many individuals and institutions benefit greatly from inequality despite its high price.)
And while you would think that those who identify as feminist would seek equality for all women, this isn't always the case. Women of colour have often argued that feminism doesn't include them. Same for those who aren't middle or upper class. Some women who are sex workers say that feminists too often portray all of them as victimized prostitutes, rather than women who are choosing how they earn their income. There are also those who dispute that all pornography is automatically bad or demeaning. They would argue that it is sexism, not sex that should be demonized, and some feminists are making their own pornography. Then there are feminists who are accused of being transphobic, a claim that's difficult to refute when some of them insist that only women-born-women qualify as real women, and that only they should be granted access to women's and feminist spaces.
Another group that vegans often lament for not seeing the oppression of other animals are members of the LGBT community. And it IS frustrating when folk who legitimately fight for the ending of oppression based on sexual orientation don't feel there's anything wrong with oppressing beings who happen not to be born human, even though they have desires and relationships just like we do. But is it that surprising? Because you would think that those who are discriminated against because of orientation are more likely to support all other orientations. Not always.
While it may be better now, there was a time when identifying as bisexual would get you a lot more flak from those who didn't identify as straight, as from those who did. And while neither group particularly liked "fence sitters", it wasn't heterosexuals who were more committed to kicking you off. But even today biphobia is alive and well. How many bisexual characters are there on TV? How many have there ever been? And how many of those characters are misidentified, like Piper (on Orange Is The New Black) who's called ex-lesbian instead of bi? Notice also how most people think almost exclusively in terms of gay or straight, male or female, black or white. We're addicted to binary thinking, and don't seem to like anything in between. Gosh, how many times haven't you heard the phrase, you're either vegan, or you're not? ;)
As you can see, privilege and oppression are not simple at all. Certainly not as simple to understand and combat as just using words like sexism, racism and speciesism. And while everyone is likely marginalized in some way, please do realize your privilege if you can put check marks in front of white, straight, middle-class, cis (those who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth) or male. Just sayin'.
The Edward Hale quote is my favorite quote of all quotes! And I learned it on your site years ago. :)
Any time one of us human people gives another being the chance to have their voice heard, their face seen, their emotions become real and tangible...it makes a difference. And as you know, someone like Esther really can make a difference. Because of her, her guardian-dads became vegan....and now look at how many lives she's touched. So yep, one can make a difference and thanks to you and others who blog, are activists in any way...the voices of our non-human friends get heard. One at a time...
Nice post! :) Hope things are going ok lately.
I actually like the one you've had on your site the whole time and it's also the one I've seen referenced in other places. But the one in this post is just as "good" (not sure that's the right word) and although means the same thing, seems more toned down (again, not sure that's the right phrase). But yep, this is my very favorite quote. It's actually more a philosophy than a quote, eh? And a darn good one! :)
thank you have gone vegan... a great post, especially for those of us suffering 'fatigue', not coping and feeling as though all is hopeless...
Your post brought to mind a book by Anne Lamont titled "Bird by Bird". The title came from her father's advice to her brother about writing a report on birds wherein he told him to do it "bird by bird". (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12543.Bird_by_Bird)
The power of one...great post. Thank you.
p.s.: The last two items on the list have intrigued me for years...it's always seemed to me that if each person who is vegan managed to help transition just one other person (and that person did the same) then vegans would be all over the place fairly quickly. I wonder.
Hi Friend,
Ah yes, the power of one. I am vegan because of my daughter who is vegan, my grandchildren are being raised vegan,my husband is now vegan and I like to think that my website helps to clarify for those who are vegan, what it means to be so and for those who aren't what a gift to all beings veganism is. Every time anyone of us goes out there in human society and requests a plant based meal, we are participating planting seeds and participating in harm reduction. Every time one of us tells sales people that we do not use any product that came from the a once living being,we are spreading the word. Every time we participate in a vigil, a demonstration a march, we are challenging non vegans to review their ethics.
I have to believe what we do make a difference. I don't know how to do otherwise. The truth is, the more I write and the more I advocate, the more I understand what else I can do effectively to advocate for all species who need our help.
Thank you for an illuminating and encouraging article.
Take care,
Anne