Vegan Warrior Princesses Attack!

In episode two of our five-part media review and analysis series, we are talking about Ex Machina: an intriguing and highly watchable sci-fi film that is, just like Wonder Woman last week, a “feminist” tale told from a male perspective.

In This Episode

We talk about a LOT of things in this episode, starting off with a video by Pop Culture Detective on YouTube, sent to us by Andy at The Bearded Vegans about the “Born Sexy Yesterday” trope which better explains what Nichole was trying to say about Wonder Woman and The Fifth Element, and other films that present us with a powerful but powerfully naive woman who becomes dependent on and then falls in love with a mediocre man who shows her the ways of the world and often of sex.

We then discuss our thoughts and feelings about Norm, a short film that uses rape as an analogy for animal consumption. We will not link to this video, it traumatized both of us for several days and was too upsetting to play or discuss in detail on air. We give our thoughts about using rape to sell veganism, particularly in the specific way it was done in this film.

Finally, we tackle Ex Machina, a movie Nichole has been yearning to discuss since she saw it a couple years ago. While a highly-entertaining, gorgeous, well-made piece of sci-fi that explores themes related to artificial intelligence, one of Nichole’s favorite topics (androids! robots! talking computers!), it falls extremely short of passing the Bechdel test, an irony for a film lauded by many for being “feminist.”

Much like Wonder Woman, we found most of the problems of this film arose from a woman’s story being told from a male perspective, along with some very serious issues around gender assignment, gender roles, sexuality and especially racism (oh, the racism).

Joke in the Middle

What is Beethoven’s favorite fruit?

Next week: The Handmaid’s Tale, season 1!

Links and Information

* “Pink slime” lawsuit worth $5.7 billion could change journalism (Vice)

* Vegan Companies Dominate List of Most-Funded Brands (VegNews)

Feminist Analyses about Ex Machina We Loved and Referenced in the Show

* Ex Machina’s Failure to be Radical: Or How Ava is the Anti-thesis of a Feminist Cyborg (Skirt Collective)

* Ex Machina Has a Serious Fembot Problem (Wired)

* How Ex Machina Toys with its Female Characters (Bitch Media)

* ‘Ex Machina’ Review: Gorgeous Futurism, But Flawed Gender Depictions (Huffington Post)

* The Gender Politics of Ex Machina (Legion of Leia)

* Gender and Feminism in Alex Garland’s Ex Machina (Words on Film)

* Goddess from the Machine: A Look at Ex Machina’s Gender Politics (Feministing)

* How Ex Machina Fails...

We braved the mall opening weekend to see Wonder Woman and give you our thoughts. Both spoiler-free and spoiler-full reviews included!

In This Episode

We kick off a four-part media review series (Nichole’s greatest dreams have come true!!!) with Wonder Woman, that lil indie movie that could (lol). Our overall evaluation is that it was entertaining but NOT feminist, as purported by feminist bloggers everywhere. We were extremely disappointed to see the same old tropes carried out in what should’ve been a groundbreaking mainstream superhero movie, including that D is the only thing that can make you reach your full potential. That sweet, sweet D.

We give a spoiler-free review and then dig into full spoilers for those that have seen it or don’t care.

Joke in the Middle

Where do cows go on dates?

Next week: Ex Machina!

Links and Information

News

* I Just Found Out Parmesan Cheese Isn’t Vegetarian And Basically My Whole Life Is A Lie (BuzzFeed)

* Vegan Chicken Nuggets to Become More “Meat-Like” (VegNews)

* Hot topic: Is it time for zoos to be banned? (National Geographic)

Mentioned in this Episode

* Vegan Pregnancy and Parenting Facebook Group

* Exclusive Interview with Vegan Pregnancy and Parenting! (Grow Up Vegan)

It’s the second edition of our popular “Tricky Non-Vegan Items” series! Today we discuss why pet pigs, down, carnivorous pets, and freeganism are not considered strictly vegan.

In This Episode

Today, Nichole is a fussy, cranky baby and we’re talking about why certain things aren’t vegan or could be considered not vegan. If you haven’t listened, please check out our Tricky Non-Vegan Items Part 1, where we discuss things like horseback riding, wool, honey, and more!

Today we talk about how down is procured, why pet pigs don’t actually make good pets and specifically why teacup pigs are a cruel myth; we discuss having carnivorous pets, and finally explore freeganism, which is often not considered vegan if the freegan consumes animal products as part of their waste reclamation.

We end the show with another ridiculous apocalypse tangent. Prepare yourselves…

Joke in the Middle

What do clouds wear under their shorts?

News

* Printing Company Working to Veganize English Money (VegNews)

* Meat Industry Asks EU to Ban “Meat” Label on Veg Food (VegNews)

We talk about the Restless Vegans Manifesto AND Christopher Sebastion’s latest posts on radical veganism this week, examining the ways these works could shape a better future for veganism.

In This Episode

As we are evolving our vegan activism and exploring our identities as vegan activists, we have been feeling like non-humans animals have lost their place as our primary focus. We came across two pieces of work that explore this topic and have inspired us to make non-humans animals once again center to our veganism, while of course keeping a pro-intersectional approach and an equal concern for human animals as top priorities.

Restless Vegans

The first is the Restless Vegans Manifesto, a self-critical manifesto towards veganism written in Turkey by several contributors after a workshop called “Where is animal liberation within veganism?” that took place in Namekan (İzmir) during World Vegan Week in November 2013.

Much like feminism has had waves or phases, the Restless Vegan Manifesto calls for veganism to enter a second wave, one that puts non-human animals in the center of the movement and aims to disrupt capitalism. Many amazing points are made in the manifesto, including the concept that veganism has become about consumption rather than disruption (as they say, when someone finds out you are vegan, often the first thing they ask is what do you eat or what do you use for makeup or what shoes do you wear). This keeps veganism as a tool of capitalism, rather than a disruptive political stance that seeks to dismantle this system of oppression.

In an interview on the Animal Voices podcast, Gurey Tezcan, one of the authors of the Restless Vegan Manifesto, talks about how veganism should be more of an action or verb, rather than an identity. Our identities should focus on our ethics, with veganism as an action that we perform as a natural result of those ethics (think: “I practice veganism because I am anti-oppression” versus “I am vegan”).

Radical Veganism

Christopher Sebastian has done it again with two very recent posts about ditching the “intersectional vegan” label and adopting the mantle of radical veganism instead. He speaks about ways that intersectionality has been used inappropriately by the vegan community, how many spaces have become hotbeds of judgment and a closure of any real dialogue, and how really the term should be used by black and brown feminists, not vegans.

He proposes instead radical veganism: a stance that still includes intersectional or pro-intersectional awareness, but that also centers on animals, is solutions-focused and seeks to build community. His brave posts are so desperately needed, in our opinion, and are eternally appreciated by us. Please please please read them: Yes to Intersectionality, Boo to Intersectional Vegans; and the follow up Exploring Radical Veganism.

Joke in the Middle

“I asked a librarian if she had a book on Pavlov’s dog and Schrodinger’s cat” …

Links and Information

* China ‘set to ban dog meat’ at notorious Yulin festival (Independent)

* Without action on antibiotics,

We decided to answer some of the many questions we receive from listeners or see being posted in the VWPA Society. This week we tackle three variations of speaking up for yourself and for animals in varying social situations.

In This Episode

We took three questions that we had seen posted in the VWPA Society on Facebook to answer this week. We saw them as being linked to concerns around speaking up in different potentially awkward social situations.

Questions

* Someone in my choir group makes carnist jokes at my expense – what do I do?

* I was invited to a Kentucky Derby party – how do I turn down the event without endangering a potential friendship with the person who invited me?

* I have a really hard time talking about my veganism and vegan topics with people closest to me – why is this, and how do I overcome it?

Thank you to Rose, Cassie and Elizabeth for your questions!

Joke in the Middle

What do you call a computer that sings?

Links and Information

News

* Chimps Could Soon Win Legal Personhood (Yes Magazine)

* Second-Largest School District in the U.S. to Start Vegan Meal Pilot Program (PETA)

* Obama Sees New Front in Climate Change Battle: Agriculture (NY Times)

* McDonald’s Launches Vegan Burger in Norway (VegNews)

Facebook was abuzz recently over a Facebook Live video filmed by Chase Avior of Direct Action Everywhere that documented him and another person conducting an oppressive and antagonistic “action” in front of The Otheroom in Venice, CA. The action ended with avoidable violence and highlights exactly why a pro-intersectional approach to activism is so crucial in the animal rights movement.

In This Episode

Content Warning: white privilege putting people of color in danger, antagonizing violent action, violence

This week we talk about the recent Facebook Live video by Chase Avior and other members of DxE who decided to do a spontaneous action on the patrons of The Otheroom in Venice, CA; an action that ended with easily avoidable violence and potential danger to several people of color.

This video encapsulates exactly the reasons why ALL activism, animal rights and otherwise, needs to be pro-intersectional. These two participants use their white privilege to bully and endanger several people of color, all for an action against an establishment which doesn’t even serve food.

Facebook post with edited and original-length videos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arzone/permalink/10155309323096457/

Joke in the Middle:

A sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender says…

Links and Information

News

* There are Diseases Hidden in Ice and They are Waking Up (BBC)

* Activist Not Charged for Giving Pigs Water (One Green Planet)

* Agriculture Secretary Pushes Milk Back Into Schools (VegNews)

* Lunch-Shaming Children for Parents Outstanding School Bills (NY Times)

Mentioned in this Episode

* The [White Savior] Elephant in the Room: Ally Theater, Savior Complex, and Speaking for “The Other”(Sistah Vegan): Dr. Breeze Harper and Christopher Sebastian discuss white animal rights activists joining the movement potentially to advocate for beings that can’t tell them they are doing it wrong. Lots of food for thought here, highly recommend everyone read this!

Today we chat philosophically about using violent imagery in our vegan activism, specifically around efficacy, consent, and the objectification of animals.

In This Episode

This week we kick it old school by tackling an issue from a philosophical standpoint: violent imagery in activism. We first briefly review two studies that look at the efficacy of violent imagery in activism; then we move onto consent, namely the consent of the viewer; and then we finish up by talking about how graphic images can objectify the victims.

Joke in the Middle:

What do you call a bear with no teeth?

Links and Information

News

* Dozens of Wisconsin dairy farms could be forced out of business because of trade dispute (JS Online)

* Federal Court Orders Factory Farms to Report Pollution (VegNews)

* Los Angeles School District Looks to Add Vegan Meals to School Lunch Program (Organic Authority)

Resources Used in Episode

* How Do Graphic Images Affect Animal Advocacy? (Striking at the Roots)

* What is the most effective outreach video? (Faunalytics)

We had a last minute change of plans this weekend when The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was released on HBO. We review the movie and give some background on Henrietta Lacks and her famous, immortal HeLa cells.

In This Episode

Nichole got a notification on her phone Saturday night that The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks had just been released on HBO. She had been eagerly anticipating this movie for a little while, so the princesses changed their plans and decided to watch and review this movie for this week’s episode. Sadly, the movie failed to live up to their expectations.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was lacking, well, Henrietta. The movie is filmed from a white gaze, that of journalist Rebecca Skloot who authored the book by the same name, and centers largely on Deborah Lacks, Henrietta’s daughter, played by Oprah Winfrey. The narrative is jumpy and confusing, many threads are introduced but never followed up on, and Henrietta’s story is still untold. Played by Renee Elise Goldsberry in just a few brief flashbacks, Henrietta Lacks is shown as a saintly cipher, her complexity and humanity still a mystery to us.

Links and Information

News

* Startup to Inspire Gen Z to Go Vegan by Age 25 (VegNews) – support their Kickstarter!

* Go vegan, save the planet (CNN)

Related to this Episode

* The Way of All Flesh by Adam Curtis (YouTube) – BBC documentary about Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells.

* We’ve Been Bamboozled: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Centers a White Woman’s Gaze on a Black Family (Paste Magazine) – great explaination of how The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is from a white gaze and why it’s so problematic.

We kick back and have many, many laughs this week watching Carnage: Swallowing the Past by Simon Amstell, the world’s first ever hilarious vegan mockumentary.

In This Episode

While we definitely had some SJW-style critiques, overall we LOVED Carnage: Swallowing the Past and highly recommend it to everyone who loves sarcastic and dark humor. Finally, a movie that captures the very real and heavy reasons to consider veganism, while presenting them in a way that is funny and entertaining.

Movie Description:

It’s 2067, the UK is vegan and animals live equally alongside humans. Simon Amstell asks us to forgive the older generations of their guilt for the horrors of what they swallowed.

Links and Information

News

* World’s Biggest Vegan Retail Shop Opens in Australia (VegNews)

* Canadian High School Students Imagine a Meatless Future (VegNews)

We continue our discussion about the prison industrial complex today, getting into ways that mass incarceration intersects with animal exploitation.

In This Episode

We continue with part 2 of our look at the United States’ system of mass incarceration, focusing on how it impacts the people caught up in it, how animal exploitation ties into it, and we end with some ways we can help prevent people from being locked up as well as some alternatives to prison altogether.

Rape in Prison

Sexual assault in prison is a huge issue. Some relevant facts taken from Human Rights Watch’s report US: Federal Statistics Show Widespread Prison Rape:

* Some 2.1 percent of the inmates surveyed by the BJS reported sexual abuse involving another inmate. In its 2001 landmark report, “No Escape: Male Rape in US Prisons,” Human Rights Watch documented vicious and brutally violent male rapes in prison as well as other more common, less overtly violent forms of coerced sex. Certain prisoners are more vulnerable to rape and are targeted for sexual exploitation – especially prisoners who are young, physically small or weak, gay, first offenders, or have been convicted of a sexual offense against a minor.

* According to a report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), “Sexual Victimization in State and Federal Prisons Reported by Inmates, 2007,” 4.5 percent of the state and federal prisoners surveyed reported sexual victimization in the past 12 months. Given a national prison population of 1,570,861, the BJS findings suggest that in one year alone more than 70,000 prisoners were sexually abused.

* Human Rights Watch’s research revealed that sexual abuse by other inmates often occurred because staff failed to adequately supervise inmates or respond appropriately to complaints of unwanted sexual activity. In some prisons, staff tacitly as well as explicitly condoned inmate-on-inmate abuse.

* Victims feel like they can’t report the attacks because they may face harsher retaliation from both prisoners as well as prison staff, and getting caught fighting can hurt their chance of parole. Staff may even identify men they know are being assaulted and call them pejoratives for gay. Staff often don’t care, and/or will assume it’s all consensual. Boys who are targeted get identified by all prisoners as easy prey and will be attacked anywhere. Some staff will even threaten to facilitate a raping to keep power and control over inmates

Impact of Incarceration on Youth

The system targets young black men specifically, and the research done on the effect of incarceration on youth paints a sad, horrifying picture:

* 10,000+ youth are in adult jails in prisons at any given time (as of 2012 report)

* A recent literature review of youth corrections shows that detention has a profoundly negative impact on young people’s mental and physical well-being, their education, and their employment. One psychologist found that for one-third of incarcerated youth diagnosed with depression, the onset of the depression occurred after they began their incarceration,6 and another suggests that poor mental health, and the conditions of confinement together conspire to make it more likely that incarcerated teens will engage in suicide and self-harm.7 Economists have shown that the process of incarcerating youth will reduce their future earnings and their ability to remain in the workforce, and could change formerly detained youth into less stable employees. Educational researchers have found that upwards of 40 percent of incarcerated youth have a learning disability,