photo: AndersP/flickr

We need your help.  There used to be a great article on the realities of dairy production over at Current TV.  But alas, it seems to be no longer. While there are many articles about dairy, this one was remarkable in that it took a connectionist approach – it linked multiple oppressions and discussed how dairy production contains and perpetuates norms and behaviors like lack of bodily autonomy and rape; how dairy production is connected to reproductive rights, violence against women, and the like.  It was a combination of facts about dairy and a critical analysis of the links to human-focused social justice issues.  We want it back!

In its absence, we ask you to fill the comments section with links to article about dairy production.  And as the above implies, we’re most interested in article that make connections!

Post away…

Not only is it fun, cute and informative it is also easy to understand!

We love that visuals and infographics on connectionist topics are making the rounds.  Know of others?  Please share with us in the comments section below.

Dominant narratives are the stories told by the dominant culture; they define our reality and guide our lives like an invisible hand. And when the dominant culture is oppressive, so, too, are its narratives. …Thus, social change is made possible by those who challenge the dominant narratives, replacing fictions with facts by bearing witness to and speaking out against oppression.

The article explains why and how dominant culture perpetuates violence against and consumption of animals,  providing clarity about how to practice effective, proactive veganism. Of particular importance to those of us here at Connect the Dots, it calls for building bridges between the vegan movement and other social movements:

…the vegan movement remains disconnected from the other social movements that it is naturally aligned with and must unite with if we hope to bring about the kind of widespread, revolutionary transformation toward which we are all working.

Speaking Truth to Power: Understanding the Dominant, Animal-Eating Narrative for Vegan Empowerment and Social Transformation is essential, foundational material for anyone looking to improve the world for animals. Indeed, it is required reading for all who hope to overcome a culture of violence, creating a peaceful and just world for all.

Email address: connectthedotsmovement@gmail.com

Left to Right: Ashley Maier, Darlene Smoot, Carolyn Mullin

Honored to be included in Defiant Daughters: 21 Women on Art, Activism, and The Sexual Politics of Meat, Connect the Dots’ Ashley Maier joined fellow contributors Carolyn Mullin, Darlene Smoot, and Sarah E. Brown on Sunday, March 17th, for the Los Angeles launch of the book.  Introduced by Dr. Brett Mizelle, the authors read short passages from their pieces.  Watch the video below (2:43) for a review of the event.

Photo: sameliaz8/Flickr

A couple of weeks ago, I received a Facebook message from someone I greatly admire and worked with for several years. She thanked me for never preaching about veganism and said it must have been very hard to have so much restraint. You see, she had just watched Vegucated and the movie was the final push for her to fully commit to a vegan diet. A few years ago, I observed this same person tell a colleague that I was a good representation of veganism because I didn’t shove it in people’s faces, I just lived it.

And now, she’s vegan.

I love progress, especially when it seems slow and too far away – when it hurts to keep your mouth shut and let it happen on its own terms. Because one day, it’s here. The message I received meant a lot to me – much more than I’m sure she anticipated. It told me to have hope, to stick with it. Change doesn’t happen on our timelines. But it does happen.

I never intentionally targeted this person, tried to make her become vegan. But by living my values, my ethics, I had an impact. That’s something we can all do.

This experience reminded me of a video that came out in 2009. A man at a music festival started dancing, alone, and created a movement. The work to connect the dots can be very lonely. But it’s worth it. Watch below and imagine how you bring more people to the dance every day.

Human:  Stacia’s daughter Amalia enjoying a beautiful fall day at Honk!–Festival of Activist Street Bands.

Animal:  A truly happy cow at Farm Sanctuary in Orland, California.

Environment:  A gorgeous little caterpillar noticed on a hike in Sonoma, California.

We appreciate Marriann Sullivan of OHH’s comments about the dangers of the increasing popularity animal studies – potentially normalizing abuse and exploitation of animals because there is no critical lens. That’s why the critical in critical animal studies is so important.  Critical Animal Studies by nature connects the dots, so these conferences are always full of engaging “connectionist” presentations.  We can’t wait to see how this year’s conference shapes up as papers, presentations, and panels are chosen.  See you there?

To learn more and to submit a proposal, visit The Institute for Critical Animal Studies.