I can’t excuse racism …

Meme:
– I can excuse racism, but I draw the line at animal cruelty.
– You can excuse racism?

Unfortunately there are some people in the vegan and animal rights community who think this way.
However, the fight against injustice and oppression is one battle. Against racism, sexism, against ableism and other forms of oppression and discrimination ánd against speciesism.

If you reaction to this is
➡➡ but this has nothing to do with veganism and animal rights!
➡➡ but we should focus on the animals!
➡➡ I don’t have an opinion on this
➡➡ but human rights activists also don’t care about animal rights…
… then it is obvious which position you are taking.

If you find it difficult to clearly condemn racism and other forms of oppression, or you are ‘neutral’ when injustice happens, then you are siding with the oppressor.*
And as such you are contributing to people from oppressed groups not feeling welcome within the movement. And allowing these oppressive ideologies to hold ground.

It takes nothing away from your vegan or animal rights activism to condemn racism and other forms of oppression. On the contrary.
No one is free until all are free ✊🏽🐾

*based on a quote by Desmond Tutu
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”