Slayers, rippers, and blitzes:
dark humor and the justification of cruelty to possums in online media in New Zealand
Originally published in Frontiers in Communication
by Dr. Emily Major
Dr. Emily Major holds a PhD in Human-Animal Studies, where her research has focused largely on species often ostracized in society. Integrating her interests in critical animal studies, ecofeminist ethics of care, wild animal ethics, and more — alongside bridging interdisciplinary gaps — Emily advocates for new ways of morally considering other animals.
Posted below is the abstract, followed by a series of core quotations, from her recent paper; the full article can be found here.
The representation of “pest” animals in mass media can reflect wider societal attitudes about belonging, race, and purity. In New Zealand, the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is portrayed as the nation’s top enemy. This project examined online news articles published in New Zealand between 2016 and 2023 to explore how possums were framed after the creation of the Predator Free 2050 “pest” eradication campaign that sought to eradicate all invasive rats, stoats, and possums. Through a process of qualitative thematic analysis, it was discovered that themes of militancy, economy, and desensitization of cruelty were paired with dark humor and extreme objectification of possums. This has created a culture of creaturely racism and speciesist xenophobia that presents cruelty as patriotism. A new media ethics that prioritizes an intersectional, anti-speciesist praxis is necessary to prevent the nation’s enculturation of vigilante slayers who are encouraged to kill those deemed to not belong.
“Possums in New Zealand are largely exempt from the main principles of ethical journalism. The combined use of dark humor, militant language, and speciesist objectification merge to reshape and reinforce shared cultural understandings about the misunderstood species”.
“The articles, carefully packaged and presented for human consumption and entertainment, share stories of cruelty, distress, and desensitization. The marsupial’s plight is condensed into a quick two-minute read and erases the lived experiences of the animals at the center of the stories”.
“Justice is justice regardless of the recipient”.
Kim Hightower is the associate editor for PAN Works.
Please visit PAN Works for more about our work on ethics and animal wellbeing.
