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Carol J. Adams Quotes

We live in a culture that has institutionalized the oppression of animals on at least two levels: in formal structures such as slaughterhouses, meat markets, zoos, laboratories, and circuses, and through our language.

We live in a culture that has institutionalized the oppression of animals on at least two levels: in formal structures such as slaughterhouses, meat markets, zoos, laboratories, and circuses, and through our language. That we refer to meat eating rather than to corpse eating is a central example of how our language transmits the dominant culture's approval of this activity.

Carol J. Adams
Zoos, Animal, Meat Eating
Carol J. Adams (2015). “The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory”, p.82, Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Until a vegan or vegetarian enters the room, people don't see themselves as meat-eaters. They are merely 'eaters', and it is we vegans who have made them aware of what they are doing. Often this is discomforting.

Carol J. Adams
Food, People, Feminist

Everywhere animals are in chains, but we image them as free.

Carol J. Adams
Animal, Chains
Carol J. Adams (2015). “The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory”, p.24, Bloomsbury Publishing USA

While self-interest arising from the enjoyment of meat eating is obviously one reason for its entrenchment, and inertia another, a process of language usage engulfs discussions about meat by constructing the discourse in such a way that these issues need never be addressed. Language distances us from the reality of meat eating, thus reinforcing the symbolic meaning of meat eating, a symbolic meaning that is intrinsically patriarchal and male-oriented. Meat becomes a symbol for what is not seen but is always there--patriarchal control of animals and of language.

Carol J. Adams
Distance, Reality, Animal

Vegetarianism is an act of the imagination. It reflects an ability to imagine alternatives to the texts of meat.

Carol J. Adams
Vegetarianism, Imagination, Meat
Carol J. Adams (1990). “The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory”, Continuum

What parents said they valued most were discussions with teachers and heads, and what they wanted was more descriptive information in their children's school reports. This is particularly true for primary schools. Parents wanted to know much more than just how their children were doing academically.

Carol J. Adams
Teacher, Children, School

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