Don’t Treat us Like Animals: A BIPOC Lens on Food, Animal Ethics, and Veganism
Part 1: Saturday, January 30th, 2021| 11-1:30pm PST/ 2-4:30pm EST
Part 2: Saturday, February 20th, 2021| 11-1:30pm PST/ 2-4:30pm EST
ONLINE WORKSHOP VIA ZOOM
*This workshop is for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color including mixed POC and children of various global diaspora.
Description:
BIPOC are the people most impacted by the negative ecological effects of animal agriculture, yet the myth persists that veganism is a ‘white thing.’ How did this association come to be, and what are vegans of color doing to challenge it?
This workshop aims to decolonize the discourse around food and animal ethics, and will provide participants with a deeper understanding of the links between human and animal oppression. Perhaps most importantly, we will reflect on our own experiences of caring for and about animals, and consider how we might more fully embody this care in the everyday choices we make.
In Part One of this workshop, we will:
- Address some of the common misconceptions about BIPOC and veganism.
- Consider the role of animal exploitation in the COVID-19 pandemic and other ecological disasters.
- Begin to decolonize our understanding of animals and food.
In Part Two, we will:
- Discuss readings and videos developed by BIPOC vegans.
- Delve further into the interconnections between animal and human oppression, including insights from queer theory and disability studies.
- Develop a personal practice that transforms our relationship to animals that are used for food, clothing, and entertainment.
Our time together will include a slideshow presentation, reflective exercises, and small group
dialogues. Brief readings, videos, and reflective activities will be assigned between Part 1 and
Part 2.
Note: This workshop is centered on the ethics and politics of animal consumption. While the health-related aspects of veganism are important to consider, they are not the focus of this series.
About the Facilitator:
Alka Arora, PhD (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Women, Gender, Spirituality and Social Justice at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA. Her scholarship is focused on three interrelated areas of inquiry: feminist spiritual activism, vegan ecofeminism, and transformative pedagogy. She uses what she calls an integral feminist pedagogy in her teaching, inviting students to see social justice work as a form of sacred praxis. Arora brings a decolonial lens to all her teaching and research, and is passionate about bringing animal ethics into feminist, anti-racist, and environmental justice movements.
Once payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email within 24hrs with further instructions.. Email [email protected] if you do not receive your confirmation email.
NonRefundable: All payments are nonrefundable.
Scholarships: There are limited full and partial scholarships available. To apply, email [email protected] with a short share about who you are and why you want to attend and be sure to add "Don't Treat Us Like Animals: Scholarship Request" in the subject!
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, January 24th. Folks will be informed on Monday, January 25th.