Part of This World w/ Dr. Sharon Holland

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How An Animal Studies Professor Embraces Her Relationship With Dogs

About The Episode

Dr. Sharon Holland grew up splitting time between Washington D.C. and North Carolina from a young age, when her parents divorced. While she spent most of the time with her mother, it was her father who was the dog lover and always had at least four canines running around. When she was over at his house, Sharon would often be snuggling with the dogs in bed and had fond memories of that time in childhood. Sharon then went to a Montessori school, where that connection grew even further – spending time not only with dogs there, but also finding her love for horses amongst other animals. From a young age, she knew these deep bonds with non-human beings were important and that it impacted her inner nature in such a way that separated her from other kids her age.

Now as a Professor at UNC Chapel Hill teaching the course, On the Question of the Animal, Dr. Sharon Holland teaches her students about why the human-animal relationship and distinction is so important. She encourages them to really think about how humans are not the only species on the planet and that if we can appreciate and properly co-exist with all these other beings, and decentralize ourselves and our domination of the planet, that it can lead to justice in the world.

While it can be common for people in animal studies to not work with animals directly, Sharon has always made it a point to connect with animals all around her – from the horse she rides, to her own dogs. In addition to her teaching, Sharon is always researching and has written several books over the years. (Her newest book is considered an intervention in animal studies and is releasing this Fall: an other: a black feminist consideration of animal life)

Sharon finds a lot of much-needed routine and inspiration through her two dogs, Winnie and Webster, both 14 years old. Even during the pandemic when she was working from home with them, they would always remind her to get outside with them right when the clock hit 5pm and forced her to get away from her work. She feels there's nothing more important to her process than having these types of beings who can help give you the space and perspective to think, process, write, and discover things about yourself and the world. To ask questions, to find answers, to propose ideas.

These two dogs also came into Sharon's life in a special way – after she had put her previous dog down one morning, they showed up to her car that very night as she was closing up the gates after a horse ride. While she resisted at first, they came home with her the next day and have been with her ever since. Now, they all live on Sharon's land in North Carolina in their "Gaylandia" community of queer folk who all live in the surrounding homes. Sharon doesn't often like to leave her dogs, her horse, and her life there. After all, it's her family.

About The Guest - Dr. Sharon Holland

Dr. Sharon Holland is a Professor in American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC). She is a graduate of Princeton University with an A.B. in English and African American Studies. Her books include Raising the Dead: Readings of Death and (Black) Subjectivity (2000) – an interdisciplinary exploration of death’s relation to subjectivity in 20th century American literature and culture – and The Erotic Life of Racism (2012), a theoretical project that explores the intersection of critical race, feminist, and queer theory. She has also worked on several other literary collaborative projects. Her next book will be releasing this Fall through Duke University Press.

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Interview, SelectsJack SommerPeople Studying Dogs, LGBTQ+