Meat Free Monday South Africa is hosting Dr Melanie Joy, the American social psychologist and animal advocate, in Cape Town on 11 November.  Dr Joy’s TEDx Talk ‘Beyond Carnism and Toward Rational, Authentic Food Choices’ sits in the top 1% of watched TEDx talks of all time.

On Friday November 11 Meat Free Mondays will host a presentation by acclaimed author and psychologist Dr. Melanie Joy. Dr. Joy’s presentation is based on her award-winning book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism.

Dr. Joy coined the term carnism which she describes as the invisible belief system that shapes our perceptions of the meat we eat.  In essence the theory explains why humans feel comfortable eating some animals and not others, without knowing why.  She first introduced the term in a 2001 article published in Satya which initially received little attention. The concept was revisited by her book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows which she published in 2009. Carnism has subsequently influenced studies of what has come to be known as the ‘meat paradox’ (the inconsistency in attitudes toward animals) and the cognitive dissonance it entails.

Says Brett Thompson of Meat Free Mondays: “We are incredibly lucky to have Dr Joy on our doorstep, in South Africa, giving her eye-opening talk on carnism.  The concept of cruelty-free living is gaining traction in South Africa and an important part of the ongoing debate around vegan living is people’s different attitudes to different types of animals.”

Tammy Fry Kelly of Fry’s Family Foods, sponsor of Meat Free Mondays, believes that introducing Dr Joy’s theory of carnism to South Africans is important because more people need to be inspired to choose a diet that is better for the planet and for themselves. She goes onto say:“Dr Joy’s advocacy is in line with Fry’s Family Foods’ mantra – which is through my personal choices and actions I can help change the world”.

A longtime advocate of social and environmental justice and animal protection, Dr Joy teaches at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where through her courses she examines racism, heterosexism, genderism, domestic violence, and psychological trauma.

“Pulling back the curtain on carnism can help us all become more empowered citizens and more active social witnesses, whatever our dietary choices may be,” says Joy.

Adds Thompson: “Dr Joy is a superbly accomplished speaker and I anticipate that her talk will raise many issues and will leave the audience asking the right sorts of questions.”

This event is 18h30 on Friday November 11.  Tickers are R40 each and they can be booked through Quicket 
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Parental/guardian discretion is advised for younger attendees.

About the speaker: Melanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M.,

Dr Joy is a Harvard-educated psychologist, professor, author, and speaker. She teaches psychology and sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Dr. Joy’s work has received international critical acclaim, and she has been interviewed for numerous magazines, books, and radio, including the BBC, NPR, PBS, and ABC Australia. Her award-winning Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism was published in 2009. Dr. Joy is also the author of Strategic Action for Animals.

About Meat Free Mondays

Meat Free Mondays was initiated by Fry’s Foods in South Africa in 2009  with the objective of raising awareness about the negative effect animal agriculture is having on our environment, human health, the animals and our precious water resources. The organisation has grown over the past seven years and since 2013 has spoken to nearly 20 000 South Africans about the difference they can make to their environment and health with what they put on their plate.  Globally the initiative has gained traction with over 40 countries having Meat Free Monday programs in place.

Oprah recently endorsed the campaign and urged her followers to eat more plant-based foods. Click HERE to read more.

About Fry’s Family Foods

Fry’s Family Foods was started in a kitchen by a family of vegetarians. They take great care to ensure that all the ingredients they use are of the highest quality and are from trusted sources. With their food you get all the flavour of meat but you feel good about making a better choice. They use a blend of grains and legumes with only natural flavours and spices, so not only is their food Non-Genetically Modified but naturally cholesterol free and high in protein.

By eating less meat you can make good on your health, the health of the planet and the animals that inhabit it. With Fry’s, it’s not just what they put into their food that makes it good, it’s what they leave out.

Just one meat free meal a week can make a difference.

Submitted by: Genevieve / MANGO-OMC
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