The intersection of racism and animal rights is discussed in Benedicte Boisseron’s book, “Afro-Dog : Blackness and the Animal Question.” The following response was written in February 2021 by Motherhouse founder, Debra Tyler as part of her studies at Union Theological Seminary.
Last night, in misty darkness, I carefully worked my way down the icy hill to the flat and remainder of my 1/2 mile trek to feed the 5 cows residing at Local Farm. They were laying in the shed chewing lazily. I thought, “No wonder, I felt tired this afternoon. They are feeling it, too. The barometric pressure must be low.” No one stirred as I climbed the stairs to the loft, threw out two bales of hay and pulled them to the shed. It wasn’t until I cut the strings on the first bale that Mint, a hard-working Jersey who insists on putting all her energy into making milk instead of flesh on her bones, got up and came to the gate to be let in for her treat of extra rich hay. The others slowly got up and began eating as I pulled out the hose and topped-off their water tub. As I listened to the rustling hay and rhythmic chewing, I was filled with peace, wonder, and gratitude. For me, there is nothing so exhilarating as walking in a dark stormy night to care for these greater-than humans. It makes feel more ALIVE than anything else (except maybe giving birth). And, almost nothing else would motivate me to leave my warm home to go out in such a night.
What a contrast to reading the emotionally wrenching “Afro-Dog,” especially the use of dogs to hunt and eat (!!!) slaves, quell rebellions, and target and maul African Americans. What drives a white supremacist culture to such wretched cruelty? From where does this need to dominate arise? Fear? Greed? Insecurity? I think that the Civil War may have freed the slaves, but it didn’t address the needs of the slaveholders which may have been/be as “simple” as a more just economic system for all . Racism, stockyards won’t disappear until more people can find and live a life that truly feeds their soul. Can we envision a society based on commitment to an all-inclusive completely diverse, yet common good? Might genuine concern for each other make us immune to market manipulation? Momentarily, the reading made me ask the very personal question, “Is my life’s joy in farming actually a thinly veiled obsession with dominating others?” I hope not.
Leave A Comment