Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. Vegans refrain from consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal-derived substances. Ethical vegans also extend the philosophy into other areas of their lives and oppose the use of animals for any purpose. Radical veganism is based on opposition to speciesism, the assignment of value to individuals on the basis of animal species membership alone. Direct action is a common practice among vegan activists with groups like the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), the Animal Rights Militia (ARM), the Justice Department…   Read more

Speciesism is a system of oppression where humans have placed themselves above other species, to the point where members of other species are excluded from moral consideration. 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, forced labor, entertainment, a role in the ecosystem, vivisection, etc… Philosophers and animal rights advocates state that speciesism plays a role in the practice of factory farming, animal slaughter, blood sports (such as bullfighting and rodeos), the taking of animals' fur and skin, and experimentation on animals. Therefore, anti-speciesism…   Read more