GPHY 229 Key Concept Explainer
Storyboard Text
- Oh No! I'm going to be late for my Geography 229 Class. I hate walking in to class late!
- Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Queen's University
- Hi Ben! Hi Annie! Didn't miss anything, did I?
- Hi Tom! No, you haven't missed anything
- Hi buddy! Hurry up and sit down. The class is about to start
- Guys, you know on my way over here I was thinking about time travel. If you could travel through time, what would you do?
- I wanted to start this class about Speciesism with a quick land acknowledgment. Queen's University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. This place, and the people Indigenous to it , have had a history with it that long predates any form of settler that has come here. Therefore, If we are to continue residing here, we are to remind ourselves of the wrongdoings of European settlers and educate ourselves so we can create a fairer and more just society!
- Shhhh! The professor is doing the land acknowledgments!
- Think back to grade school Tom. You wouldn't talk through the national anthem would you?
- Another great class...everything we learn in class is so interesting. Speciesism is an interesting concept. Sometimes it feels like everyone should learn about these ideas and concepts. Just imagine if the European settlers knew about Speciesism and it made them become critical about how they interact with the people, animals, and world around them.
- Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Queen's University
- I've got quite some time until next class. I am soooooo tired and to think I bought a large coffee. It has no effect! Maybe I'll just take a nap right here! I'm sure it will be alright.
- What is going on?!Where am I?! How did I end up in a forest? I was just in taking a nap after class, was I too tired to remember coming here? This is so strange?
- Father Time?! Did you just say you send me back in time five centuries?!? What am I supposed to do here? Am I in danger? it feels like I am in danger!
- Hi Tom! Don't be freighted by the sound of my voice coming directly to your head. It is one of my many abilities. I am a.....powerful being. I have many names known to the people on earth but for now lets just call me Father Time. I have sent you back in time to the 17th Century because you had an interesting thought leaving class.
- What an uncomfortable costume. This is a terrible plan but I will try my best! If this plan works, we will rewrite history and alleviate some of the terrible mistakes European settlers and Canadian's have made over the course of history!
- Listen to me Tom. In this tent, the soon to be General of Atlantic European Settlement is asleep. His name is Adam Fredrickson and I want you to go in there and wake him up. Here is the plan! I want you to claim that King Charles II has sent you with a proclamation to all the British men occupying Rupert's Land. In this proclamation, he has stated that you are to relay the teachings of speciesism, and that Adam share the teachings in your absence. The purpose of this is to avoid the colonialism practices that have begun here and will continue in the future! What do you think? Can you do it? I've already made an adjustment to your clothes.
- Hmmm, how should I wake him up? You know what I have an idea! I have to make a speaking adjustment as well. I don't want to come off as suspicious!
- Zzzzzzzz...
- HERE YE, HERE YE! I HAVE MESSAGE FROM KING CHARLES II TO ADAM FREDRICKSON. I have been told that he resides in this tent. May I have a seat?
- WHO HAS ENTERED MY TENT AS I SLEEP?
- I think you could have awoken me in better ways. Nevertheless, have a seat and speak messenger. State your name and your business!
- My name is Tom Robertson! King Charles II was told how our people were operating over here and he was not pleased. He has sent me, an academic, to teach everyone about speciesism and to stray away from our settler-colonial ways.
- I see, it is odd that I am only hearing about this for the first time, at this moment. You may begin with the lesson. Speciesism, was it?
- Yes Adam, speciesism. Speciesism is a form of discrimination based on a species membership. For us, this extends beyond the human relationship with other animals but also other humans. Have you experienced this here Adam?
- Yes, as a matter of fact I have experienced this. There are people here, other than us, that are Indigenous to this land. We have cheated, deceived, and stolen all that they've had to offer since our arrival. If you want my personal opinion, it is quite sickening. However, the views of my men are that we are of a superior race and we deserve everything that everyone, and every animal has to offer.
- Yes, I agree with you that it is quite sickening. This form of thinking is going to snowball over the years and continue for centuries, until we have completely erased Indigenous culture. Would you like to hear what else is in store for us as we continue down this path of speciesism?
- Yes, do tell.
- We will continue on this path of toxic settler-colonialism that Indigenous people will never forgot. They will not go down without a fight either, and eventually our actions will bring us great shame and regret. Overtime, our speciesism gets worse. Our views, the domestication of animals in this land, and our interaction with all animals will only get worse. The animals and land are for the Indigenous to decide what to do with, not us. Settler colonialism is a form of occupying and appropriating land, and by doing so destroying and disrupting any relationships that the Indigenous people have with the animals here. So we must change our ways!
- What you are saying holds a lot of weight, my good sir. However, I am curious because while our actions on this land have been rather questionable, it is not outrageous to believe that we humans are the supreme species. Are we not?
- We are not my comrade. We are just but one species out of the million of species that live on this earth. Indeed, it is because of our own intelligence that we developed this idea. Yes, we are a smart species but every species on this earth excels at something. This is what animal geographies is all about. It is up to us to learn what other species excel at and what types of relationships they have with each other. Do you understand?
- Yes, I understand. The important thing to remember is that we as a species, should not believe that we are better than any other. By straying away from this mindset, we can avoid our settler-colonial future. Very well, I will relay this information to my men and spread the word across the land. Does King Charles II have any other orders?
- Yes, King Charles II, stated that you must not view yourself as the owners of all animals here and that all the land here is not for our business expenditures. After all, that is how settler-colonialism through speciesism manifests. With that, I will be taking my leave. I wish you ease on this mission and Godspeed!
- Thank you, Tom! I have learned quite a lot and I think that because of these teachings, good things will come. I wish you a safe journey back to Britain.
- One more thing, the Indigenous people of this land have a good relationship with animals and nature. If you can, you should speak to them about it and learn more their culture. It might shape your understanding of the world better. Take care!
- Hey Tom! When did you get over there? Are you gonna come have some lunch with us?
- Whoa! How did I get here? I just left the Generals tent? I blinked and suddenly I was here! What a trip! I wonder if anything has changed. Everything looks the same, I'll have to do some investigating
- Robertson-Fredrickson Hall (Dedicated to the efforts laid out be General Adam Fredrickson and Tom Robertson on their war against settler-colonialism)
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