The Dreaded Comparison: Human & Animal Slavery by Marjorie Spiegel

In this book, Marjorie explores a topic most are too uncomfortable to address. Comparisons between humans and animals have historically ignited prejudice and promoted harmful stereotypes, however this book remains a must read for anyone interested in understanding systems of oppression against all living beings. In order to understand how we can dehumanize a group of people enough to enslave them, it is vital we look at our treatment of animals.

Marjorie explores the connection between societies and slavery and raises difficult questions about human exploitation of animals. Not only are some of the methods we use in exploiting animals similar to those used by those that enslaved humans but the relationship of the oppressed and the oppressor remains the same. The very category of “human” is tainted with ideological assumptions of what it means to be human, particularly in relation to race. In order to tackle the legacy of colonialism, we must acknowledge the history of race and animality.

The Dreaded Comparison is no longer the only in-depth work on this subject but it remains an important work to consider when looking at societal violence, animal rights and social justice.

Title: The Dreaded Comparison: Human & Animal Slavery

Author: Marjorie Spiegel

ISBN: 978-0962449338

Publisher: Mirror Books

Marjorie Spiegel

Marjorie Spiegel is the Executive Director of The Institute for the Development of Earth Awareness and an expert in industrial animal agriculture.

Veganuary guest curator Abdourahamane Ly has been vegan for the past seven years now. He is extremely passionate about animal rights and encouraging more humans, especially Africans, to go vegan. He was born in Guinea in West Africa but spent the last 13 years in China. He is currently in Rwanda spreading the vegan message. You can follow him on Instagram at @fulanivegan and X at @fulanivegan.