How the Psychology of Oppression Perpetuates Harm to Animals and the Environment

When the writer was four years old, they caught their first fish, an experience that left them feeling guilt and sadness. This incident marked the beginning of a lifelong journey to understand violence, empathy, and justice. Despite being taught the Golden Rule—to treat others as one would want to be treated—the writer observed a troubling contradiction: caring people often caused harm to others, seemingly without realizing it.

Years later, after getting sick from eating contaminated meat, the writer stopped consuming animal products. They were horrified to learn about the suffering caused by the meat and dairy industries. Yet, when they tried to share this information, people, including close friends and family, resisted, preferring not to hear about the cruelty involved.

To better understand these contradictions, the writer studied psychology, focusing on violence and nonviolence. They identified “carnism,” a belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals while disconnecting from empathy. This system, they discovered, parallels all forms of oppression, from racism to patriarchy, where people support harmful practices without fully understanding their impact.

Ultimately, the writer argues that all forms of injustice—whether toward humans, animals, or the environment—share a common root: dysfunctional relationships. To end injustice, we need to adopt healthier ways of relating to others, rooted in compassion, integrity, and respect for dignity. This shift in thinking is essential for creating a more just and compassionate world.

Read the full article “How the Psychology of Oppression Perpetuates Harm to Animals and the Environment” by Melanie Joy

🔭   This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.