February Talk: "Rethinking Interspecies Relationships: Non-Human Rights"

Our follow-up to the Darwin Day talk and party at MIT, on the 12th, will focus on other species we share the world with. Amy Hambidge will speak on "Rethinking Interspecies Relationships: Non-Human Rights"

Humans, in the Western patriarchal tradition, have long considered themselves to have dominion over Earth. While humans are a minority of total individuals who share the planet, they have expanded and claimed the majority of the limited resources available here. What has the self-proclaimed dominion meant for non-humans? What purpose does, or did, the dichotomy of human versus animal serve? Why should we, as humans, care about the well-being of non-humans? In this talk, we will look at speciesism – what it is, the harm it causes to all species, what humans can do to protect non-humans, and what happens when it interconnects with human oppressions such as ableism, racism, and sexism.

About the speaker
Hailing from Western Massachusetts, Amy Hambidge graduated from Hampshire College with a bachelor of the arts, with concentration in positive psychology and agriculture. After working on organic farms in the Pioneer Valley, they now make wheelchairs and other mobility equipment for disabled animals at Eddie's Wheels for Pets. There, they can enhance the well-being of non-humans while also confronting the ableism and speciesism that occur in ordinary life. They share their home with a French bulldog in wheels and two guinea pigs, and enjoy reading about veganism, studying dance, and crocheting ears for earless pigs.

About Lu
Lumiere is a 5 year old French Bulldog with a past unknown to his current family. His previous family took excellent care of him when he became disabled and unable to walk on his own. Lu now lives with Amy and works at Eddie's Wheels. He is fearless, feisty, and friendly. His favorite activities are rolling over the toes of humans (and non-humans) and eating literally anything.
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FREE Parking will be available in the nearby Littauer Center parking lot, as well as free meter parking in Cambridge on Sundays. For Littauer, enter the Maxwell Dworkin Science Quadrangle from Oxford St (opposite the Natural History Museum). Wind your way through to the Littauer Lot at the end of the road. This lies between the Law School Library and the Science Center. Phillips Brooks House is just across from the Science Center in Harvard Yard.

Harvard Square MBTA (train and bus) station is just steps away from Phillips Brooks House, which is in the corner of Harvard Yard just across from the Science Center. Parking is also available on the street (free in Cambridge on Sundays).