Just as we reject racism, sexism, ageism, and heterosexism, we reject speciesism. The species of a sentient being is no more reason to deny the protection of this basic right than race, sex, age, or sexual orientation is a reason to deny membership in the human moral community to other humans.

Lillie Langtry

 

The Quote in Other Words

We refuse to discriminate against any sentient being based on their species, just as we reject discrimination based on race, sex, age, or sexual orientation. The species of a sentient being should not be a reason to deny them basic rights, just as race, sex, age, or sexual orientation should not be a reason to exclude humans from the moral community.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the issue of speciesism, which is the belief that one species is superior to another and therefore has the right to dominate and exploit it. The author argues that just as we reject discrimination based on race, sex, age, or sexual orientation, we should also reject discrimination based on species. Sentient beings, regardless of their species, should be granted the same basic rights and protections as humans.

The quote challenges the notion that humans are the only beings worthy of moral consideration and highlights the importance of recognizing the inherent value of all living beings. It calls for a shift in our attitudes towards animals and a recognition of their capacity for suffering and their right to live free from harm.

Overall, this quote emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to our treatment of animals and highlights the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings.