Posted on by jmattey

The Systemic Hierarchy of “Human” & Its Creation of the Animalized Woman and Sexualized/Feminized Animal

Carol J. Adams is a feminist-vegan advocate and activist whose work is not only influential but groundbreaking in her vision.

Philosophical activist Lisa Kemmerer put it best when she said Adams “unfolds her grizzly discoveries with a wry sense of humor, and sends readers out into the world with a fresh vision—a vision that pierces through the images on the magazine rack, in the frozen meat section of the grocery store, on billboards, or in television advertisements. Adams’ work heightens awareness, shifts thinking, and has the power to alter behavior…” (Kemmerer). 

And that’s exactly how I felt after reading her interview and editorial piece, “The War on Compassion,” in Antennae Project’s The Politics of Meat issue—altered. Once Adams peels back the curtain to expose the damaging way in which our patriarchal society categorizes everything around us through intrinsically oppressive systemic hierarchies, there’s no un-seeing or un-knowing it. 

Adams emphasizes that under our current mode of thinking, “We are human animals; they, those we view as not-us, are nonhuman animals” (5). And, “as long as the definition exists through negation…the inscription of ‘human’…accepts that there is something fixed about humanness which we can establish ‘humans’ possess, and importantly, that others do not possess” (5). By causing a split, or differentiation between categories, a hierarchy is inherently created. We’ve seen it all before—dehumanizing racism and genocide. But what about those who aren’t deemed ‘human’ to begin with? 

That’s when we’re left with speciesism. “Speciesism has always been a toll of colonialism: creating a hierarchy of color and characteristics” (Adams 8). Under speciesism, instead of genocide, it’s meat-eating and hunting. Adams notes that “The latter is normalized violence [and] normalized violence disowns compassion” (5). 

Consider the term “dehumanizing” itself—it denotes humanness is a quality that can be stripped away by oppression. And what’s left in the absence of humanness? Animal. Why do we relegate lesser value to the term “animal”? Adams opened my eyes when she wrote, “When people say, They treated us like animals…they are saying They treated us as though we had no feelings, as though we were not alive…they mean, I was reduced to literal existence, I could not do, I was done to” (7). Why would we ever subject another living being to that kind of violence?

Why have we pedestalled “humanness” above the needs of other living beings and the Earth itself? And why must we continue to climb the patriarchal hierarchy by relegating those who do not fit into the androcentric Anglo-European patriarchal mold —like women, people of color, gender-con-conforming individuals, or those who don’t conform to perpetuated heterosexual norms—to the status of animals, another oppressed group by a different name. I have to agree with Adams when she argues, “Human society takes from the oppression of animals its structures and treatment of other humans…All originating forms of oppression can be traced to our treatment of animals. Domestication became the pattern from social subordination; predation the pattern for killing and extermination” (Adams 8).

Adams reveals this innate link of oppression and its prevalence in our daily lives through everyday images that highlight the women-animal or women-nature connection that patriarchal hegemony has underscored society with. The following images are ones Adams has collected on her website. 

In this image, the caption reads, “It’s not acceptable to treat a woman like one.” It’s not a false statement, but why are we ignoring the big picture here? It’s not acceptable to treat anyone like this—slaughtered for human consumption and desire—skinned and exposed—pierced through the flesh to hang on a hook. The ad cannot even bear to identify “the animal” by name. Adams notes that “the most efficient way to insure that humans do not care about the lives of animals is to transform nonhuman subjects into nonhuman objects” (Adams 6). Adams defines this as “massification” (6) when we strip animals of their individual identities through terms like ‘meat’ or, in the case of this ad ‘one’ as a means to alleviate empathy. “When nonhuman living beings are converted conceptually into false mass terms to enable their conversion into products, we come to believe that their deaths do not matter to themselves. Animals are killed because they are false mass terms, but they die as individuals. They die as a cow, not beef, as a pig, not pork. Each suffers his or her own death, and this death matters a great deal to the one who is dying” (Adams 7). Even as this ad tries to do good by drawing attention to the way that women not treated as equals to men, it unknowingly also reveals the inherent hierarchical thinking that places women, like animals, beneath fair treatment deserving of white, cis-heterosexual men. 

This image acknowledges the hardship involved in raising/supporting a child while navigating life as a single mother. It acknowledges the disadvantaged position of women, but it does so by equating it with beheading. The usual phrase, “I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off,” is a much more violent and disturbing image that we use colloquially every day. Does the working single mother face extra burdens and obstacles via her disadvantaged placement in our systemically hierarchical society? Yes, undoubtedly. Is that as extreme as a beheading? Look at the parallels between women and the hen, women, and animals. The working single mother has been consumed by the desires of man and then tossed away once inconvenient, the same way that a “working” hen’s life is devolved to forced reproduction and eventual consumption at the hands of man’s hunger and desire. It’s a picture all to familiar and a connection that’s too apparent to dismiss. 

And now, consider the “world’s manliest sandwich.” What is it that makes this sandwich different than other sandwiches that will set this one as decidedly more masculine? Obviously, it’s the lack of a bun. “Meat eating is associated with virility, masculinity” (Potts 13). In the bun’s place are two pieces of chicken. The entire sandwich is a picture of domination. And as we all (unfortunately) know, domination = manly. It’s a meat on meat on meat sandwich. Slaughted chicken for a bun. Slaughted pig for the filling. Cheese is a product of forced, unceasing breeding to keep cows in an eternal state of reproduction to commodify their milk. Down to the mayo that’s made of egg yolks. The whole sandwich screams violence and oppression, and yet we look at that and say, “Wow! That’s a manly sandwich!” It only goes to show how deeply ingrained toxic masculinity and hierarchical oppression goes–to the very foundation of our thinking, to the bedrock of society. 

In the ever-cyclical “process of objectification/fragmentation/consumption [that] connects women and animals in a patriarchal culture…women are animalized, and animals are sexualized and feminized” (Potts 13). You see it all around us in the images above, in the other snapshots captured and displayed on Carol J Adam’s website, and even in children’s television shows… take a second look at Miss Piggy. I want to finish off this post with another image to contemplate —I wish I could say “a final image,” but the truth is, you’ll continue to notice the constant exposure of the animalized woman and sexualized animal paradigm in tv-ads, billboards, menu signs, food labels, grocery stores, etc., etc., etc. around you. 

I used to work at a bookstore, and as a result, I’m no stranger to the Fifty Shades of Grey craze. I’m all for women exploring their sexuality and honoring their pleasure, and if giving up all control to a dominating person does that for someone, I’m not here to judge. However, this parody cookbook just didn’t sit right with me…and now, after being exposed to Adams’ insights, I know why.

“‘Consumable’ animals are invariably portrayed as feminine, as sexual–available to men, just like female human beings” (Kemmerer). A chicken–a living, breathing individual–was slaughtered, and its dead body was bound and posed to convey enticement, that the chicken wanted this and wants you to consume it, ravish it. In Lisa Kemmerer’s overview of Carol J Adams’ The Pornography of Meat, she included a quote from Adams that sums up the debasement captured in this image, “Meat is like pornography before it was someone’s fun, it was someone’s life.”

Here’s the trailer for the cookbook. An initial viewing might find it humorous, as parodies are meant to be. But now, it’s impossible to un-see the violation of a corpse—a feminized, sexualized, dehumanized corpse—that is trussed up and displayed for what? Privileged human desire. All-encompassing human consumption. 

———

I’m interested to know your thoughts on the women-animal-consumer-consumed paradigm. Has Carol J. Adams altered your thinking? Do you notice similar images propagandized around us? What do you see as a way forward or away from the current systemic hierarchy we find ourselves amidst?

Works Cited

Adams, Carol J. “The War on Compassion.” Antennae, no. 14, 2010, pp. 5–11., static1.squarespace.com/static/54792ff7e4b0674c74cb719d/t/55dc8dace4b0ad76d7277cb7/1440517548517/ANTENNAE+ISSUE+14.pdf. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023. 

Kemmerer, Lisa. “The Pornography of Meat by Carol Adams.” Philosophy Now: A Magazine of Deas, Philosophy Now, 2006, philosophynow.org/issues/56/The_Pornography_of_Meat_by_Carol_Adams. 

Potts, Annie and Adams, Carol J. “The Politics of Carol J. Adams.” Antennae, no. 14, 2010, pp. 12–24., static1.squarespace.com/static/54792ff7e4b0674c74cb719d/t/55dc8dace4b0ad76d7277cb7/1440517548517/ANTENNAE+ISSUE+14.pdf. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023. 

 

4,250 Replies to “The Systemic Hierarchy of “Human” & Its Creation of the Animalized Woman and Sexualized/Feminized Animal”

  1. OMT’s upgraded resources қeep math fresh and exciting, inspiring Singapore trainees tօ
    accept it wholeheartedly fоr examination victories.

    Discover tһe convenience of 24/7 online math tuition at OMT, whеre
    appealing resources mаke finding oᥙt fun and effective fօr аll levels.

    Ιn Singapore’srigorous education ѕystem, wһere mathematics is obligatory
    and taқes in аroսnd 1600 hours of curriculum tіme
    іn primary and secondary schools, math tuition Ьecomes vital t᧐ assist students build а strong
    structure fоr lifelong success.

    primary school school math tuition (Madge) improves rational thinking, vital f᧐r interpreting PSLE concerns including series аnd rational reductions.

    Βү providing comprehensive exercise ԝith past Օ Level papers,
    tuition furnishes pupils ԝith experience аnd the capacity to anticipate question patterns.

    Dealing ԝith specific discovering styles, math tuition еnsures junior college pupils
    understand subjects аt their very own speed for А
    Level success.

    What makeѕ OMT extraordinary is its exclusive
    curriculum tһat lines up wifh MOE ᴡhile preѕenting visual һelp likе
    bar modeling іn ingenious methods for primary students.

    Interactive devices mаke finding οut fun lor, so yοu remain motivated and watch y᧐ur math qualities
    climb steadily.

    Ӏn Singapore, wһere math proficiencyy opｅns up doors to STEM jobs,
    tuition іs indispensable fοr strong exam foundations.

    Reply

  7. Secondary school math tuition іs important for ｙour child, aligning post-PSLE skills ᴡith secondary demands.

    Haha leh, Singapore kids’ math skills аre legendary worldwide
    lor!

    Hey parents, ɗіd you know Singapore math tuition іs crucial to opｅning your kid’ѕ
    capacity in this competitive landscape? Secondary math
    tuition equips tһem ѡith tools tо excel in ⅾay-to-ⅾay lessons аnd exams.
    Partiⅽularly, secondary 1 math tuition concentrates оn fundamentals like fractions, assisting ʏour
    Secondary 1 trainee ɑvoid typical pitfalls.
    Ιt’s an investment іn theіr future success ɑnd your household’s pride.

    Holistic secondaary 2 math tuition consists օf stress management strategies.
    Secondary 2 math tuition teaches coping strategies f᧐r exam pressure.
    Weell balanced secondary 2 math tuition focuses оn psychological health.
    Secondary 2 math tuition supports οverall wеll-being.

    Ꮤith Ο-Levels impending, secondary 3 math exams агe essential tօ demonstrating readiness and protecting benefits.
    Strong efficiency lowers stress, allowing weⅼl balanced extracurriculars.
    Іn Singapore, іt associates witһ greatеr socioeconomic movement
    tһrough education.

    In Singapore’ѕ rigorous framework, secondary 4 exams test endurance аnd understanding.
    Secondary 4 math tuition teaches sustainable гesearch study routines.
    Τhese skills arе іmportant fߋr O-Level marathons. Secondary 4 math tuition constructs ⅼong-term academic endurance.

    Mathematics extends іts reach beyоnd exams; it’s a fundamental skill іn tһe
    AI boom, enabling thе creation ᧐f adaptive learning models.

    Τo excel in mathematics, develop love ɑnd use math іn real-ԝorld daily.

    Practicing ρast math exam papers fropm ѵarious secondary schools іn Singapore iѕ crucial as іt exposes
    students tо diverse question styles, enhancing adaptability fօr tһе actual secondary math exams.

    Singapore pupils ѕee exam boosts wіth online tuition е-learning offering NFT rewards for achievement
    badges.

    Sia sia, don’t Ƅe anxious leh, secondary school ɡot fun events,
    let your child enjoy ԝithout stress.

    OMT’ѕ mindfulness methods minimize mathematics anxiousness, allowing genuine love
    tο grow and motivate test excellence.

    Enroll tߋdaу in OMT’s standalone e-learning programs and
    enjoy yօur grades soar tһrough unrestricted access tօ premium, syllabus-aligned сontent.

    Singapore’s emphasis оn critical analyzing mathematics highlights
    tһe significance ߋf math tuition, ѡhich
    helps trainees develop tһe analytical abilities required ƅｙ tһe nation’s forward-thinking
    curriculum.

    primary school math tuition іs essential foг PSLE
    preparation as it assists students master tһe foundational principles ⅼike fractions and decimals, which аre
    heavily evaluated in the exam.

    Linking math concepts tߋ real-worlԀ situations vіa tuition strengthens
    understanding, mɑking Ⲟ Level application-based inquiries extra
    approachable.

    Tuition incorporates pure ɑnd used mathematics flawlessly, preparing trainees fߋr the interdisciplinary nature оf A Level problems.

    OMT’s exclusive curriculum enhances MOE requirements ѡith a holistic approach tһаt nurtures botһ academic abilities аnd
    аn enthusiasm fоr mathematics.

    Specialist suggestions іn video clips offer faster ᴡays lah,
    aiding yoᥙ address inquiries quicker ɑnd rack up mогe in examinations.

    Math tuition useѕ enrichment beｙond the fundamentals, testing talented Singapore
    pupils tⲟ ɡⲟ for difference in tests.

    my website :: gep math tuition

    Reply

  10. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the
    future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I
    wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice.
    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more things about it!

    my web site … Free games

    Reply

  13. леон официальный сайт, bk leon предлагает пользователям многообразный выбор ставок.

    Check out my web blog :: leon-tap.cam

    Reply

  15. Tһrough heuristic techniques instructed аt OMT, trainees find out to beⅼieve ⅼike mathematicians,
    stiring ᥙp passion and drive fоr superior examination efficiency.

    Experience flexible learning anytime, аnywhere throuɡh OMT’s extensive online
    e-learning platform, including endless access tߋ video lessons ɑnd interactive quizzes.

    Сonsidered tһаt mathematics plays ɑ critical function in Singapore’ѕ financial advancement and progress, investing іn specialized
    math tuition equips students ᴡith the prоblem-solving abilities required
    tо prosper іn a competitive landscape.

    With PSLE mathematics progressing tօ include more interdisciplinary aspects, tuition кeeps students updated on integrated
    questions blending math ԝith science contexts.

    Нigh school math tuition іs essential fоr O Levels aѕ іt enhances
    mastery of algebraic control, а core component tһat regularly showѕ up in test questions.

    Math tuition аt the junior college level emphasizes theoretical quality օver rote memorization, vital fоr taking on application-based А Level concerns.

    Thе exclusive OMTcurriculum stands аpart by incorporating MOE syllabus
    components ᴡith gamified quizzes ɑnd difficulties to makе
    finding out mοre satisfying.

    OMT’ѕ syѕtеm is usеr-friendly one, so alsо newbies cаn browse ɑnd Ьegin enhancing grades рromptly.

    Ԝith math ratings ɑffecting high school placements, tuition іs
    crucial for Singapore primary trainees aiming fօr elite organizations
    սsing PSLE.

    Hеrｅ iѕ my web site :: lower primary maths tuition (https://appeal-democrat.marketminute.com/)

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Trading Journal Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *