What is *Racism as Zoological Witchcraft* about?

*Racism as Zoological Witchcraft* argues that white supremacy operates through dehumanizing Black individuals by equating them with animals, a process Aph Ko terms "zoological witchcraft." The book connects colonial violence, racial capitalism, and speciesism, revealing how systemic oppression relies on degrading both Black bodies and nonhuman animals to sustain power structures.

Aph Ko is a Black vegan theorist, digital media producer, and author known for pioneering work linking anti-racism and animal rights. She holds degrees in Women’s/Gender Studies and Communication, founded *Black Vegans Rock*, and co-authored *Aphro-ism*. Her work has been featured in *The New York Times* and *VegNews*, and she produced the Sundance-winning documentary *Always in Season*.

Who should read *Racism as Zoological Witchcraft*?

This book is essential for scholars and activists exploring intersectional anti-racism, decolonial theory, or critical animal studies. It appeals to readers seeking fresh frameworks to dismantle systemic oppression, particularly those interested in how race, speciesism, and capitalism interconnect.

Is *Racism as Zoological Witchcraft* worth reading?

Yes—it offers a groundbreaking lens to analyze racism, blending sharp theoretical insights with historical examples like the eroticization of Black bodies and the leather industry’s ties to slavery. Ko’s critique of fragmented activism challenges readers to rethink social justice strategies.

How does Aph Ko define "zoological witchcraft"?

Ko defines it as a colonial practice where whiteness spiritually and materially consumes Blackness by reducing it to animality. This process justifies violence, such as slavery’s bodily exploitation and modern cultural appropriation, while reinforcing white dominance through dehumanization.

What is the human/animal binary in the book?

The human/animal binary is a colonial construct used to classify Black and Indigenous people as "nonhuman," enabling their exploitation. Ko argues this binary fuels racism and speciesism simultaneously, as both oppressed groups are deemed disposable by white supremacy.

How does the book critique intersectionality?

Ko critiques mainstream intersectionality for treating oppressions (racism, sexism, speciesism) as separate issues, which dilutes their systemic connections. She advocates for an *afro-zoological* approach that centers how animality underpins all racialized violence.

What historical examples support Ko’s thesis?

The book cites enslavers tanning Black skin into leather, sexualizing Black bodies, and commodifying enslaved people as livestock. These acts exemplify zoological witchcraft’s literal and symbolic consumption of Black humanity.

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Racism as Zoological Witchcraft

Aph Ko

4.48 (295 Reviews)

Philosophy Society Politics

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In "Racism as Zoological Witchcraft," Aph Ko brilliantly deconstructs how white supremacy dehumanizes both Black bodies and animals. This compact 125-page manifesto has transformed social justice discourse by challenging us: What if racism and animal exploitation share the same colonial roots?

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Racism as Zoological Witchcraft

Aph Ko

4.48 (295 Reviews)

Philosophy Society Politics

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card7 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun21min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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The Consumption Machine: How White Supremacy Devours Both Human and Animal Bodies

00:00

When Jordan Peele's "Get Out" premiered in 2017, it wasn't just another horror film - it was a cultural revelation exposing the cannibalistic nature of white supremacy. This is the foundation of Aph Ko's groundbreaking work "Racism as Zoological Witchcraft," which offers a revolutionary framework for understanding how racism and animal oppression function as dimensions of the same structure. Ko doesn't just challenge how we think about race and animals - she dismantles the very categories that have kept these conversations separate, revealing how white supremacy operates as a consumption machine that metabolizes both human and nonhuman bodies deemed "animal." For decades, Black liberation and animal rights movements have existed in seemingly perpetual conflict. The mainstream narrative suggests this tension exists because Black people are focused on securing human rights, making animal concerns seem offensive or secondary. This divide is reinforced by animal rights groups creating insensitive campaigns that appropriate Black struggles and white-dominated vegan spaces that feel unwelcoming to people of color. Black people have a particularly complicated relationship with animals due to a colonial history that has perpetuated dehumanizing associations between Blackness and animality. When celebrities declare they'll "wear fur every day until police stop killing Black people," they reflect a common but flawed perception that Americans care more about animals than Black lives. Our cultural setup forces marginalized groups to compete for attention, as though only one group can achieve liberation at a time. Rather than being simply "anti-speciesist," we need to examine how the concept of "animal" informs racism itself.

The Making of the "Animal": White Supremacy's Zoological Machine

Media Mirrors: How Visual Culture Reveals White Supremacy's Language

Zoological Ventriloquism: Animals as Props in White Narratives

Beyond Intersectionality: Toward Multidimensional Liberation

Theory as Revolutionary Practice: Breaking Free from Zoological Witchcraft

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Racism as Zoological Witchcraft Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Racism as Zoological Witchcraft into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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Distill Racism as Zoological Witchcraft into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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Racism as Zoological Witchcraft Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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Key Takeaways

The Consumption Machine: How White Supremacy Devours Both Human and Animal Bodies

The Making of the "Animal": White Supremacy's Zoological Machine

Media Mirrors: How Visual Culture Reveals White Supremacy's Language

Zoological Ventriloquism: Animals as Props in White Narratives

Beyond Intersectionality: Toward Multidimensional Liberation

Theory as Revolutionary Practice: Breaking Free from Zoological Witchcraft

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Racism as Zoological Witchcraft Summary in 8 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 7 Insights from Racism as Zoological Witchcraft in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - Racism as Zoological Witchcraft Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Racism as Zoological Witchcraft Summary in 0 Minutes

Download Racism as Zoological Witchcraft PDF

Download Racism as Zoological Witchcraft EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Consumption Machine: How White Supremacy Devours Both Human and Animal Bodies

The Making of the "Animal": White Supremacy's Zoological Machine

Media Mirrors: How Visual Culture Reveals White Supremacy's Language

Zoological Ventriloquism: Animals as Props in White Narratives

Beyond Intersectionality: Toward Multidimensional Liberation

Theory as Revolutionary Practice: Breaking Free from Zoological Witchcraft