The Sexual Politics of Meat in Authoritarian Times

📝 In this Bloomsbury Lecture, Carol Adams suggests the sexual politics of meat continues to be one of the currencies of oppression – one that supports the contemporary rise of authoritarianism.

Meat has come roaring back as an essential symbol of patriarchy. The symbolic literally bleeds into the actual, as false distinctions such as the gender binary are used to strengthen reactionary viewpoints expressed in the carnivore diet, anti-trans messaging, and the dismissal of liberals as “soy boys.” An anxious and unsettled white masculinity seeks to re-establish itself by invoking red meat and cow’s milk, claiming these racist and sexist symbols as the best or only protein sources. In addition, the historic roots of dependence on animals for food in white settler-colonialism leads in the 21st century to a climate change denial that disavows the environmental costs of animal agriculture.

At the same time, the “othering” of vulnerable people often depends on positioning them pejoratively as closer to animals or as animals. The authoritarian exploits human exceptionalism, the belief that humans are different from and superior to other animals, by situating vulnerable, targeted groups outside its protection. In re-crafting the boundaries of political discussion, right-wing leaders upend what was thought to be settled in the twentieth century – basic human rights to protest and to be protected from false imprisonment – and insist we must instead debate who is human.

Where does this leave humans? Where does this leave the other animals?

Adams addresses these questions, and analyzes these intersecting bigotries, ultimately in order to offer novel suggestions around the enduring power of compassion, both as witness and protest.

The entire event will last for one hour and will include 20-30 minutes for questions.

📍Online

📆 March 26. 11:00 EST

🌐 Link to register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gb2528lTTkKPWgUQkQpjIA#/registration