Beyond Carnism Inc.

Overview

Beyond Carnism Inc. is a U.S.-based, international nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and transforming carnism, a belief system that conditions people to consume certain animals. The organization aims to empower both non-vegan consumers and vegan advocates through awareness-raising campaigns and training, promoting a more just and compassionate world for all beings.

Mission

The central mission of Beyond Carnism is to address the roots of animal exploitation by challenging the mentality that supports animal consumption. They believe that awareness of carnism is essential for making informed food choices and that without this awareness, true choice does not exist.

Beliefs and Principles

• Awareness Raising: Beyond Carnism advocates for both intellectual and emotional awareness of carnism, recognizing that this state is crucial for inspiring positive change.
• Effective Altruism: The organization employs evidence and reason to maximize the impact of their initiatives.
• Nonviolence: Beyond Carnism is committed to nonviolence in both attitude and action, rejecting physical violence and violent communication.
• Unifying Justice Movements: They highlight the similarities between carnism and other oppressive systems, such as patriarchy and racism, emphasizing the need for unity among justice movements to create a more relational world.
• Strategic Thinking: The organization promotes strategic methods of advocacy to bridge the resource gap between animal-use industries and vegan advocates.
• Inclusivity: Beyond Carnism seeks to increase the resilience of the vegan movement by promoting awareness of non-relational systems that harm humans and nonhumans alike.

Impact

Beyond Carnism supports the global vegan movement by providing evidence-based training and resources to enhance the effectiveness of vegan advocates. By addressing the underlying causes of animal exploitation, they contribute to a broader social and environmental justice agenda.

Rating and Recognition

Beyond Carnism has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a high level of accountability and transparency in its operations. However, the organization appears on the list of nonprofits delinquent with California state registrations.

Legacy

The concept of carnism, central to Beyond Carnism's work, has been significant in contemporary discussions about animal consumption and ethical food choices. It challenges conventional attitudes toward meat consumption by revealing the psychological and social mechanisms that underlie them.