Veganism: Politics, Practice, and Theory with Eva Haifa Giraud

Eva Haifa Giraud joins us on the podcast this week for a conversation about her recent book, Veganism: Politics, Practice, and Theory. In our discussion, we deep dive into the constraints of veganism within a capitalist system, what this means for activism, and whether capitalism itself is putting veganism at risk. Eva elaborates on veganism’s political, activist roots and how they have historically created new paths of communication within communities that lead to debate regarding ethics, animal rights, and how the world at large treats animals. She also explains why she believes adopting a universal definition of veganism could be detrimental and breaks down how it might uproot veganism from specific social and national constructs. 

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Eva Haifa Giraud.*

Eva Haifa Giraud is a senior lecturer in Digital Media & Society at the University of Sheffield.  She is interested in how activists negotiate tensions associated with the media platforms they use, particularly the challenges posed by social media. Her work has engaged with this theme in the context of environmental, animal, and food activism, with more recent research focusing on anti-racist politics. Her publications include What Comes After Entanglement? Activism, anthropocentrism and an ethics of exclusion (Duke University Press), Veganism: Politics, Practice, and Theory (Bloomsbury Academic) and articles in journals such as Theory, Culture & Society, New Media & Society, and Social Studies of Science.

“Are there still points of entry into more politicized, activist forms of veganism?” – Eva Haifa Giraud

Highlights for Episode 649: 

• The risks of plant-based capitalism and its impact on the commercialization of veganism
• Questions raised about who is capitalizing on the newfound popularity of veganism in the UK and the risks of undercutting animal activism
• Eva’s vegan journey and why she initially chose a plant-based diet
• Why the current vegan landscape in the UK could disconnect activists from a wider ethical stance and community
• Why Eva is concerned that food marketers may be divorcing veganism from a meaningful regard for animals
• Eva’s book, Veganism: Politics, Practice and Theory, and its exploration of veganism’s broader political and cultural complexities
• How flexitarianism works, how it depoliticizes veganism, and why it matters 
• The term “white veganism,” what it means in the UK, and how it can tip over into cultural appropriation
• Why veganism is conflated with ‘snowflake culture’ in the UK

Resources:

• The Elephant in the Zoom
• Beating Hearts: Abortion and Animal Rights
• If We Didn’t Eat Them, They Wouldn’t Exist
• Verdict
• Dorf On Law blog
• Abbot’s Butcher

Connect with Eva Haifa Giraud :

• Eva Haifa Giraud’s Website 
• Eva Haifa Giraud on Twitter 

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

_____________________________________________

Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today.

You can listen to our podcast directly on our website, or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher! Also, if you like what you hear, please rate it and leave us a comment on Apple Podcasts!

Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

__________________________

This episode is brought to you in part by Abbot’s Butcher. Abbot’s Butcher is leading the next generation of plant-based meat. The products are crafted in the kitchen—not a lab—and provide bold flavors and a hearty bite by using real food ingredients. Free of soy, gluten, preservatives, and natural/artificial flavors, Abbot’s Butcher’s plant-based proteins are the cleanest (and most delicious) meat alternatives you can buy. Find Abbot’s Butcher “Chorizo,” Ground “Beef,” or Chopped Chick’n at Target or your nearest retailer.

__________________________

This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.