Decoding the Verbiage of Justice – World Day for Farmed Animals
This World Day for Farmed Animals, we at The Vegan Community brought in the expertise to explore how pronouns, industry terminology, and everyday language can shape the way humans perceive and treat animals.
Eric C. Lindstrom, Executive Director of the Farmed Animal Rights Movement (FARM), guided participants in decoding the injustice that can be perpetuated through language. Since language is often the first point of contact with the individual in question, the framing of identity and personhood can either diminish or reinforce their rights and intrinsic value.
The session explored how industry euphemisms and objectifying language can erode the identity and personhood of farmed animals, reducing them to objects of consumption. From there, participants explored how intentional changes in language can help us recognise animals as sentient beings and individuals, and how more thoughtful language can strengthen our advocacy for them.
It also offered practical insights into using non-confrontational communication in relationship-based advocacy, along with the power of positive storytelling, educational initiatives, outreach, and community events to foster meaningful engagement.
Representation is a responsibility, especially when representing those who cannot speak for themselves. Let’s make sure we do it right for farmed animals.
Watch this session to learn how intentional language can strengthen our advocacy for farmed animals.
