What is speciesism?

Speciesism currently has many definitions but here is a few versions to help better encapsulate it:

Speciesism is a belief of human superiority leading to the systemic oppression, exploitation and discrimination of nonhuman animals

Joan Dunayer, author and editor defines speciesism as:

A failure, in attitude or practice, to accord any nonhuman being equal consideration and respect

Another definition could be:

Speciesism is institutional discrimination and, to a lesser extent, individual prejudice against nonhuman animals based on their species

And by Species Revolution:

Speciesism is a set of irrational beliefs and prejudices in various forms and degrees, which reproduce political and social structures that yield power and privilege to human animals over other species of animals

Speciesism is a system of oppression where humans have placed themselves above people of other species, to the point where members of other species are excluded from moral consideration or even viewed as people. For a speciesist, other animals are devoid of their intrinsic value and only have value for what they can be exploited for: food, clothing, as pets, reselling value, hunted “quarry”, forced labour, entertainment, a role in the ecosystem, vivisection, etc…

However, this bias is purely arbitrary. Humans are no more unique than any other species is unique, and our differences to other animals are superficial at best. Just like us, other animals, be they dogs, nonhuman primates, chickens, foxes, beetles, snakes, anchovies, crabs, wasps, or any other animal, have individual lives and interests to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and continue existing. They are aware of the world and of themselves, they can create meaningful relationships, and their lives matter to them.

Therefore, anti-speciesism (which includes hunt sabotage) seeks to dismantle the systems of speciesism in whatever form, and create a world that recognises and respects the interests and moral rights of other animals.

The first step is to immediately stop exploiting and enslaving nonhuman animals for any of the aforementioned reasons. The second step is for individual humans to eliminate anything that supports nonhuman exploitation and commodification (food, clothing, entertainment, cosmetics, etc.) as far as is possible and practicable, in their daily lives. The third step is to actively oppose speciesist industries and practices (such as hunting) using a variety of tactics and strategies.

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