The Vegan Winter 2010:The Vegan Winter 2004 03/11/2010 12:41 Page 12
Why isn't Everyone
Vegan Yet?
Dr Melanie Joy coined the term 'carnism' in 2001, to describe the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions people to eat certain animals. Dr Joy, a social psychologist, has argued that unless eating meat is necessary for survival, it is a choice—and choices always stem from beliefs.
J
oy explains that, because
carnism is an inherently
violent belief system, it has to include social and psychological defence mechanisms to block our empathy and awareness whilst we eat meat. In other words, carnism is an ideology that leads humane people to take part in inhumane practices - and not even realize that they are doing so. Carnism is made possible by the broader ideology of speciesism, which creates the belief that other species are less worthy of consideration than your own species or than
other preferred species. In this interview, Melanie Joy talks to Amanda Baker about carnism. Joy explains that meat eaters may feel powerless to change until they become aware of how they have been indoctrinated all their lives with the ideology of carnism.
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The TheVegan Vegan l l Winter Winter2010 2010
Q: Why do you believe that understanding carnism is so important for the vegan movement and vegans? A: I think it is vital that the vegan movement and vegans understand, and promote understanding of, the concept of carnism. There are many reasons for this, but I’ll share just a few of them here. I believe that the movement needs to shift its focus from veganism to carnism. Veganism is the solution, but carnism is the problem, and we must identify and illumine the problem before we can expect people to be open to the solution. Also, by not focusing on carnism we play right into the hands of the system by helping to maintain its invisibility; dominant systems maintain themselves largely by remaining unexamined. Moreover, understanding carnism will help the movement shift its focus from the individual to the system that shapes individual behaviours. We must stop thinking of eating animals as simply a matter of personal ethics and see it instead as the inevitable end result of a deeply entrenched belief system. We can then stop trying to change the world one carnist at a time and instead work toward transforming the system itself. Also, carnism has a specific structure and if we don’t understand that structure it’s like we’re fighting blindfolded against an unseen entity. Finally, understanding carnism can help vegans advocate more effectively and have less strained relationships with the carnists in their lives. Q: Why are so many of my family and friends still meateaters, even the most obviously compassionate and ‘animal loving’ ones, and even after learning the truth about meat production? A: One important reason is because when we ask someone to stop eating animals we’re not simply asking for a change in behaviour, but for a shift of consciousness. For instance, we’re asking them to see themselves as a strand in the web of life, rather than standing atop the so-called food chain. We’re asking them for a change of identity, to risk becoming marginalized, and likely to cause conflict in important relationships. We’re asking them to be open to the enormity of animal suffering in this world, and when you take in that reality, your life is never the same. So even the most compassionate individuals won’t stop eating animals until they’re psychologically ready to do so.