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Why are conservatism and masculinity so hooked on meat? A thread, my friends: 1/11 https://twitter.com/ENBrown/status/1386675208619270154">https://twitter.com/ENBrown/s...
Conservatism is unabashedly linked to industrial farming, colonial settlement and neo-colonialism, and biblical-inspired authority over animals. The theme? A domination/ common-sense logic that creates belief systems around “rights to” land and animals. 2/
A fact: Beef is in higher demand in conservative households than liberal ones, and liberals are 4x more likely to be vegan than conservatives. This is becoming increasingly true and polarizing. See Jordan Peterson - 3/ https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/jordan-peterson-daughter-mikhaila-meat-carnivore-diet">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/s...
The first association to make between cons and meat is its environmental impact. Livestock account for much of our GHG emissions. Action on climate change requires action on industrial meat. To eat meat as a personality trait is to spit in the face of climate change policy. 4/
The opposite is also true. Eco-feminists of the 90s made clear links between how women, animals, and the environment are treated. 5/
Masculinity has been connected to meat consumption for, like, ever. This is not new. Oh no. It’s so old and so popular. Look at this ad from the 90s: 6/ https://twitter.com/jeez_louiseee/status/1384558627705573376?s=20">https://twitter.com/jeez_loui...
Feminists argue masculinity is defined by its association with violence. When men feel the need to prove their maleness, they usually act in violent ways. See mass shootings and domestic violence.
Also, see connections to domination logics above. 7/
Also, see connections to domination logics above. 7/
Sidebar: The moral weight of killing animals in industrial systems always runs along race and class lines. Most workers on killing floors are radicalized men, subjected to serious violence. If you haven& #39;t seen The Killing Floor, I highly recommend it. 8/
To eat meat is to demonstrate power. A woman, and her diet, are to be dainty. Associating meat with masculinity also offers space for feminized diets that are low calorie and promise small female bodies. 9/
When masculinity and conservatism come together, you get the sick burn: ‘Soy boys.’ It& #39;s an insult thrown at liberal men for accepting the & #39;feminizing& #39; effects of estrogen-rich foods like tofu. 10/ https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/soy-boy-insult-what-is-definition-far-right-men-masculinity-women-a8027816.html">https://www.independent.co.uk/life-styl...
Meat, conservatism, and masculinities are more than linked; they perpetuate beliefs around possession and what it means to be subjugated, the worst sort of fate. 11/11