where science and ethics intersect with politics
When headlines remove the actor from the sentence, harm begins to look like an accident rather than a choice. This installment of Language, Examined explores how passive phrasing and abstract language quietly erase responsibility—and why that matters.
Vegan cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Many everyday vegan substitutions are simple, affordable, and already sitting in your kitchen. This guide breaks down practical egg alternatives—like flax eggs, aquafaba, fruit purées, and tofu—so compassionate cooking feels approachable, flexible, and reliable.
When armed Black Panther–affiliated groups appeared at recent anti-ICE protests, much of the media fixated on optics: uniforms, firearms, symbolism. But the real story isn’t the presence of Panthers — it’s the conditions that make communities feel safer beside armed civilians than beneath federal authority. History is clear on this point: when the state loses legitimacy through unchecked force, people do not retreat. They organize. The question we should be asking isn’t who showed up, but why they felt they had to.
Martin Luther King Jr. was not a symbol crafted for comfort. He was a radical voice who challenged racism, militarism, and economic injustice at their roots. To honor him today means remembering the full truth—and continuing the work he left unfinished.
Dutch authorities have taken formal steps to revoke permits for the Netherlands’ last remaining duck slaughterhouse—a move that could end commercial duck slaughter in the country if upheld. While legal appeals remain possible, the decision signals a significant shift in how governments respond to animal welfare, environmental harm, and public accountability.
A U.S. citizen was killed during a federal immigration operation she was not the target of. Within hours, the state rewrote the narrative to justify her death. This editorial examines the killing of Renee Good, the role of ICE, and why reform is no longer enough.
When political leaders speak of “running” another sovereign nation until it submits to a so-called transition, the danger is not hypothetical. Language like this reveals a worldview rooted in domination rather than consent—and history shows where that road leads. This editorial examines why rhetoric matters, how empire announces itself, and why democracy cannot be imposed by force.
News headlines often appear neutral—but neutrality achieved through abstraction can obscure harm. This first installment of Language, Examined explores how common headline constructions soften impact, shift attention, and quietly shape public perception.
Every January, millions of people worldwide take part in Veganuary, a month-long invitation to explore vegan living. What begins as a simple dietary shift often sparks deeper reflection on animal ethics, environmental responsibility, and the power of collective action to drive lasting change.
As the year draws to a close, The Humane Herald reflects on a year marked by ethical clarity, resistance to euphemism, and the refusal to look away from interconnected crises facing humans, nonhuman animals, and the planet. Standing at the threshold of a new year, this piece calls readers forward—not with false optimism, but with disciplined hope, moral courage, and a commitment to compassion rooted in truth.
Legal scholar and policy strategist James Schultz reflects on veganism, justice, and animal liberation—examining how law, moral consistency, and collective responsibility shape a more just future.
Animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg has been released early from Sonoma County Jail and will complete the remainder of her sentence under house arrest following her conviction related to a 2023 action at a California poultry facility. The case continues to draw national attention and fuel debate over animal advocacy, civil disobedience, and the legal limits of protest.
Christmas Day is often framed as a season of peace, goodwill, and generosity—but those ideals are not automatic. This reflection explores what it means to practice compassion beyond tradition, and why peace remains a choice we must make, deliberately and daily.
In Federalist No. 6, Alexander Hamilton argues that separate American states would eventually clash out of rivalry, ambition, and economic competition — making the Constitution essential to preserving peace.
As the winter solstice approaches, Yule’s ancient themes of renewal and protection take on renewed relevance in a time of ecological instability. Across cultures, this season has long emphasized safeguarding the vulnerable through the harshest months. Today, that ethos aligns with urgent ethical concerns—from wildlife protections to climate-driven disruptions. This feature explores how Yule’s historical roots in stewardship intersect with modern animal rights, environmental responsibility, and the Humane Party’s commitment to ethical realism.
In the quiet of winter’s longest night, we kindle small flames of mercy and carry them forward for every being still waiting for warmth.
The Humane Herald 