Veganism, Sex and Politics: Tales of Danger and Pleasure by C. Lou Hamilton

Author:C. Lou Hamilton [Hamilton, C. Lou]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: HammerOn Press
Published: 2019-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

Reading Cancer Guinea Pig on healing outside medical time, to the rhythms of queer fem time sustained by a largely vegan diet and care for other beings, I am reminded of Melissa Santosa’s observation, cited above, that “Veganism cultivates an attention to minute details.” Another way of putting this is that veganism takes time. Cancer Guinea Pig’s blog, Taylor’s theorisation of animals and disability, and the writings of other vegans grappling with care for their bodies and those of others are reminders that thinking about care across species is a crucial part of the process of educating ourselves about the interconnections among different forms of care, and the range of ways in which we depend upon other creatures. Yet negotiating the practical, ethical and emotional dimensions of caring for ourselves involves much more than careful consideration, self-education and conversation. It also requires dealing with and, in many cases, struggling against, the formidable powers of governments, large industries — be they agricultural, food manufacturers or pharmaceutical — and the medical and scientific establishments. These institutions wield significant ideological and financial power. We cannot care for ourselves or others in total isolation from them. As Brian Luke argues, “All of us, whether vivisector or vegan, have been subject to mechanisms undercutting sympathy for animals.” Practicing care for animals therefore involves a significant break with dominant and institutionalised forms of anthropocentrism.47 Different people will use the often competing and sometimes bewildering information about the use of animals in scientific research and medicine in different ways. Contextual ethical veganism is not about rules for how and whether to use practices that rely on animal research or products. Rather, it requires of us that we inform ourselves and share our knowledge with others. It means challenging the message that the instrumentalisation of other animals is always justifiable in the name of human progress.48 It means understanding that different people will practise veganism in different ways and at different speeds.49 And it asks that we support those who are seeking and putting into practice alternatives that recognise and honour the interdependence of self-care and our commitment to others.

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