Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
How much do animal rights activists talk about animal rights when they attempt to persuade America's meat-lovers to stop eating nonhuman-animals? This study serves as the basis for a unique evaluation and categorization of problems and solutions as framed by five major U.S. animal rights organizations in their vegan/food campaigns. Findings reveal organizations framed problems as: cruelty and suffering; commodification; harm to humans and the environment; and needless killing. To solve problems, largely blamed on factory farming, activists asked consumers to become "vegetarian" (meaning vegan) or reduce animal product consumption, some requesting "humane"reforms. While certain messages supported animal rights, promoting veganism and respect for animals' subject status, many frames used animal welfare ideology to achieve rights solutions, conservatively avoiding a direct challenge to the dominant human/animal dualism. In support of ideological authenticity, I recommend vegan campaigns emphasize justice, respect, life, freedom, environmental responsibility, and a shared animality.
Recommended Citation
Freeman, C. P. (2010). Framing animal rights in the 'Go Veg' campaigns of U.S. animal rights organizations. Society & Animals, 18(2), 163-182. doi: 10.1163/156853010X492015
Included in
Public Relations and Advertising Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Society & Animals. Copyright © 2010 Koninklijke Brill NV. It is posted here with the permission of the publisher and author.