Aphro-Ism: Essays on Pop Culture, Feminism, and Black Veganism from Two Sisters

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In this provocative collection of essays, the two sisters Aph and Syl Ko tackle issues ranging from animal rights and the problems with contemporary vegan movements to the kinds of obstacles facing activists in feminist and anti-racist spheres, demonstrating the interconnectedness and intersectional nature of all of these issues. Their feminist sensibilities encourage a deconstruction of Eurocentric understandings of race and species that changes the terms of debates about both. The Ko sister's work challenged me deeply and aided me--encouraged me to reflect (which they promote as a form of activism) as well as inspired me to action.

It feels like an invitation into their conversation, dialogue, and inquiry and I am SO glad that they invited us in.Aphro-ism is helping countless young, hungry critical thinkers navigate through a world of ‘isms,’ make sense of endless contradictions, and come out the other side as more well-equipped, effective, woke activists.

According to Black Youth Project, "The Ko sisters argue animality is a Eurocentric concept that has contributed to the oppression of any group that deviates from the white supremacist ideal of being—white Homo sapiens. Aph and Syl Ko have such a phenomenal ability to convey their ideas and messages in such a clear, succinct, and digestible manner.Aph and Syl have created a brilliant framework through which we can integrate all aspects of anti-oppression work.

It deconstructs Eurocentric views (aka white supremacy + colonialism) in relationship to its founding roots in animality. So, our ability to fight the system of white supremacy lies in our ability to counteract this narrative and live outside of this value system that places "humans" at the top and animals on the bottom. There is a deconstruction of the phrase “We are all animals” but I could not explain to you why that phrase is or isn’t helpful. As long as we endorse the "human-animal dichotomy," anyone who is not a heterosexual white male will be viewed as as less than "human.Reading the work of Aph Ko and her sister Syl within the pages of Aphro-ism will build the perfect foundation needed for activists or anyone wanting to end the oppression of all, by not being the oppressor of one.