Why We Should Change How We Talk About Nonhuman Animals
Happy, an Asian elephant living in solitary confinement at the Bronx Zoo, was the first elephant to be considered for legal personhood under a writ of habeas corpus. Advocates argue that Happy’s complex cognitive, emotional, and social abilities entitle her to fundamental rights such as bodily liberty and bodily integrity. This case highlights the need to change the way we perceive and talk about nonhuman animals.
Nonhuman animals, like humans, are sentient beings with their own interests, emotions, and social structures. They exhibit a range of emotions and behaviors, form bonds, and demonstrate cognitive abilities. Yet, our speciesist perception keeps nonhuman animals behind a metaphorical wall, denying them the recognition and rights they deserve.
Our treatment of nonhuman animals is often utilitarian, focusing on their use for human purposes. We raise and kill animals for food in an abusive system, confine them in zoos and aquariums, and subject them to biomedical research. This disregard for their well-being is reflected in the destruction of their habitats and the illegal wildlife trade.
The COVID-19 pandemic, resulting from human disregard for the natural world, highlights the devastating consequences of our actions. We face a climate crisis and a mass extinction event, but our language and treatment of nonhuman animals perpetuate their objectification and suffering.
The words we use to refer to nonhuman animals shape our thoughts, relationships, and actions. Calling them “it” or “that” devalues their existence and reinforces the perception that they are lesser beings. By using proper personal pronouns and acknowledging their sentience, we can foster a more respectful and equitable relationship with nonhuman animals.
Over 80 leaders in animal advocacy and conservation have called for the use of appropriate personal pronouns for nonhuman animals to be the standard recommendation in the Associated Press Stylebook. This change would promote dialogue, respect, and the protection of their rights and interests.
It is crucial that we recognize and respect the consciousness and dignity of nonhuman animals. They share this planet with us and deserve to be acknowledged as sentient beings with their own rightful place in the world. By changing how we talk and think about nonhuman animals, we can work towards ending their oppression, protecting their habitats, and fostering a more compassionate and equitable world.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
