(Dis)ability and Animality

A Series of More-Than-Human Encounters #3. Over the course of this evening, the intersections between animal liberation and disability liberation are explored. How do speciesism and ableism intersect and operate in relation to other -isms in a system of oppression? If certain abilities are the prerequisite to include other animals into the circle of moral consideration, what ethical and practical implications does this hold for humans who do not possess these abilities?

Geertrui Cazaux will discuss how animals other than humans resist their oppression by escaping, retaliating and other acts of everyday resistance. Focusing non-human animals and sharing their stories helps us move away from a human saviourist framing and is also an expression of solidarity with them. They are not voiceless and we are not their saviours but their allies.

Agnes Trzak’s talk will explore the question of what happens if we use cognitive and bodily ability as a criteria to base our moral considerations on. She will share an intimate story of her relationship with her animal companions, to illustrate the danger those disabled by society, whether human or non-human, less ‘humanness,’ less personhood, less agency, less value.