Convocation unites feminism, vegetarianism

by Micah Sommer

Feminist and vegetarian author Carol J. Adams will present what many expect to be a provocative and controversial convocation on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Her talk, entitled “The Sexual Politics of Meat,” will examine the connections between the oppression of animals and of women in today’s society.

Adams is best known as the author of “The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory,” which was first published in 1990. The book “explores a relationship between patriarchal values and meat eating by interweaving the insights of feminism, vegetarianism, animal defense, and literary theory,” according to Adams’ website, www.caroljadams.com.

Students will have chances to interact with Adams outside the convocation. Director of events coordination Lynn Knight explained that Adams will be on campus a few days before and after her address. She will be visiting three classes and meeting at mealtimes with various student groups. “She covers, surprisingly, a broad range of interests on our campus,” Knight said.

Knight also encouraged those unable to attend the convocation or those with additional questions for Adams to come to the Green Room in the basement of Carpenter at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, for a “casual conversation” with the speaker.

The student animal rights group, Earlham Animal Advocates United (EAAU), first proposed last year that Earlham invite Adams to speak. Knight spoke positively of EAAU’s involvement in bringing Adams to campus, noting that the student group will be working with food service and other groups to promote the convocation and highlight vegetarianism on campus.

Senior Suzanne Hodgkins, a member of EAAU, hopes that Adams’ convocation will attract a diverse audience, consisting of “a lot of students who might be interested in feminism but not necessarily animal rights and vice versa.”

Hodgkins predicted that Adams’ views will prove controversial. “Probably some students will say, ‘she really broadens the issue of oppression in a way I never thought of before, and that was really interesting,’” Hodgkins said. “But others will probably be offended at her comparison of meat eating with oppression of various groups of people.”

Senior Jenny Lawson, also a member of EAAU, hopes bringing Adams to Earlham will encourage dialogue about animal rights on campus. “Having this outlet, a feminist outlet, is a very good way to bring animal rights into the perspective of Earlham students,” she said, noting that while veganism is a topic of discussion on campus, it is not often connected to other topics such as feminism.

“People should definitely come [to Adams’ convocation],” Lawson said. “She’s the first animal rights convocation speaker we’ve ever had at Earlham.”

Students are encouraged to contact the Events Committee with recommendations for speakers for future convocations and other events. An online form is available at http://www.earlham.edu/events/eventsuggestion.html to make suggestions.