The social justice movement has come up with "protected characteristics" for humans (e.g. age, disability, sex, gender, race, religion) on which basis they cannot be discriminated against re. employment and receipt of services. (Equality Act, 2010, UK)
Why aren't characteristics of non-human animals also designated "protected"? Why are animals not protected from abuse and loss of access to habitat and natural resources? Why subjected to gross confinement in cages and factory farms (breeding females discriminated against on the basis of sex and gender), and others slaughtered on the basis of age and disability, and abused on the basis of race (show horses, sled dogs, furbearers, captive whales ...)?
Isn't it time humans developed characteristics like rationalism, consistency, and ethical behavior? Why do we accept the social injustices inflicted on beings who feel the same emotions as we do (fear, desire, attachment, loyalty to kin, longing for freedom)?
Why do we think species-ism is okay, given our brother-sisterhood with the rest of the animal kingdom? Time for a bit more equity and inclusion, Justice Warriors?
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