Cows Are Not Placid, Dull, or Stupid

"I wrote the book to create a credible record of what happened to cattle during the colonial era because that epoch established the blueprint for the mass commodification and normalized violence towards animals in Southern Africa. With a few exceptions, how colonialism affected and transformed the lives and experiences of cattle is excluded from historical research."

"Cattle are sentient creatures with deep and complex emotions and acute sensory perceptions. I wanted to demonstrate and remember, feelingly, empathetically, and with detail and compelling evidence, that cattle too were targets of colonialism, that cattle bore [the impacts of colonial violence]."

"Cows are highly intelligent and deeply sentient and emotional beings with distinct individual personalities, and have been observed using tools. Every individual has a unique personality, and it's fair to say not a single cow enjoys being mistreated for human meals."

Cows possess high intelligence, deep sentience, and distinct individual personalities, yet are commonly treated as unfeeling commodities. Dr. Michael Glover's book examines cattle's subjective experiences during colonialism in Southern Africa, positioning them as feeling beings whose perspectives matter. While scientific evidence confirms animal sentience, some agricultural organizations deny that animals think or feel. Glover wrote his book to create a historical record of how colonialism affected cattle, establishing the blueprint for mass commodification and normalized violence toward animals. Cattle experienced, felt, and were profoundly impacted by colonialism, yet this perspective remains largely absent from historical research and discourse.

Read at Psychology Today