Skeptics and ‘The White Stuff’: Promotion of Cows’ Milk and Other Nonhuman Animal Products in the Skeptic Community as Normative Whiteness

Abstract

This article discusses a dairy advertising campaign featuring skeptic Derren Brown.  I explore the various health claims made in the ads as well as a report Brown featured on his website that claimed consumption of cow’s milk is linked to longevity.  I discuss how dairy consumption is largely linked to race and ethnicity.  It is a practice enjoyed primarily by European whites as most nonwhites are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is a normal biological process associated with weaning, but it is medicalized and made deviant because it is not part of the white experience.  I also mention comments made by Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins that normalize Western diets with unsubstantiated claims.  This article takes a critical look at skeptic leaders who have failed to address misleading information perpetuated by exploitative animal product industries.