PRAXIS MAKES PERFECT: Human coexistence with other animals requires respect for their needs
A central claim of the new book 'Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence: Passion, Praxis, and Presence' is that coexistence between nonhumans and humans requires showing far more respect for what other animals need: freedoms to express who they are and to live high-quality lives. The book covers many different and interesting topics, but they are all connected to the themes of passion, praxis and presence. Passion meaning a deep commitment to activism, praxis, using theory to inform action and action to inform theory, and presence, being mindful and reflexive in our work. One of the major topics that emerges from these themes is veganism as a central component to total liberation.
MARC BEKOFF: Globally, nonhuman animals need all the help they can get in the Anthropocene, often called ‘the age of humanity’ but practically cashed out as “the rage of inhumanity.” Meaningful work on behalf of other animals to help them deal with widespread human intrusions into their lives and diverse ways of being requires a broad group of academics and on-the-ground supporters to work hand-in-hand to use what we know about these fascinating individuals to help them to thrive in an increasingly human-dominated world.
A new book titled ‘Exploring Topics in Non/Human Coexistence: Passion, Praxis, and Presence’ edited by Sarah Tomasello, Erin Jones, Mark Suchyta, and Nathan Poirier clearly shows that coexistence between nonhumans and humans requires ongoing multispecies negotiations with humans showing far more respect for what other animals need to have the freedoms to express who they are and to live high-quality lives typical of their species.
As bioethicist Jessica Pierce writes: “To liberate. To leave alone. These seem like contradictory principles, one active and one passive… This provocative collection of essays, with its diverse range of perspectives and wide thematic scope, is sure to make you think differently”…
The book covers many different and interesting topics, but they are all connected to the themes of passion, praxis and presence. Passion meaning a deep commitment to activism, praxis, using theory to inform action and action to inform theory, and presence, being mindful and reflexive in our work. One of the major topics that emerges from these themes is veganism as a central component to total liberation. Varun’s chapter, for example, explores cow protectionism in India and its perpetuation of violence towards other non/human communities.
We also have a chapter that discusses the importance of veganism to anarchafeminism, one that offers critiques of cell-based meat products, and one that highlights the influence of religion and ethnicity on our food choices. So while they all incorporate veganism, they do so from very different perspectives. Race and gender are two topics that can also be found throughout the chapters of this book…
Finally, some chapters are more solution oriented and offer advice for activists hoping to improve liberation efforts. Mark’s chapter, for instance, talks about how important it is for activists to understand the values of their target audience so that their messaging can be better received. Others explain the importance of humane education for fostering coexistence or offer a critique of educational outreach as a strategy used by animal activists. SOURCE…
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