Have You Seen?

Have you seen the terror on the face of a child lost in a crowded store? Have you seen the heartache on the face of a gorilla or lioness or elephant whose baby has died? Have you seen the fear or bewilderment on the face of an injured monkey or squirrel or pigeon or a lost or abandoned dog or cat or a cow or pig or chicken being transported for slaughter? Have you seen the mother whale repeatedly lifting their dead calf to the surface in hope of revival? Have you empathized with any of these people and other animals? I’m sure you have in some way at some time.

And since you have, you already possess the capacity to understand an individual’s desire to live a peaceful life and to avoid taking advantage of others in any way whatsoever. You should know how urgent and important and good it is to care for others. And so it follows, that we all have a moral obligation to be Vegan in our lives to the greatest possible extent. It’s not just a “diet”. Being Vegan is a rejection of violence, an embrace of justice, and a representation of caring. Please, for the peace of the planet, commit to living a life of peace by becoming Vegan. And explain it to others.

 

Vegan Diet? Briefly, yes, but…

On issues of “health maintenance” and Veganism, I have come to adopt the following approach:

The correlations between animal (and animal product) consumption and disease or ill health have pretty much been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. And although no one has ever suggested eating a Vegan diet is a *guarantee* of freedom from disease, there is already copious factual evidence that tells us being Vegan can certainly lessen the risks! This, in itself, is more than sufficient reason to eat Vegan.

However, there is a much more meaningful and non-diet related consideration. I suspect most people, when asked if they generally liked animals, could instantly recall images of animals they’d met or seen or known and respond, “Yes”. Like humans, all nonhuman animals are *sentient* and as such at the very least, they deserve inclusion in the moral community. *Any* animal exploitation—animals used for food, clothing, entertainment, household products, etc.—is extremely violent and, as such, participation in animal exploitation, be it direct or indirect, is a very morally conflicted state. And those who are not Vegan seriously need to confront and examine that conflict within themselves before questioning the merits of Veganism.

I refer you to http://vegankit.com/ a hugely interesting and valuable ‘why and how’ Vegan resource, and Gary Francione’s books and website the source of Abolitionist theory and why Veganism is the only path that helps animals instantly and permanently.

Passing on Discrimination

Just a brief note to share, this was actually my response to an email from a friend who expressed some pride at how his congeniality resulted in a positive relation with a young stranger. Just one problem. Part of what enamoured him to the other man was an innocent and jovial imitation of another race… something of a racial “joke” if you will. I attempted to convey the enormous implications of making such a thing *commonplace* in our day to day lives:

“One of the reasons your remarks resonate with young(er) people is because racism, like sexism and all other forms of discrimination, are pervasive among many young people. They get passed on as easily as from one generational slip of the tongue to the next.

I hate to rain on your parade, because I absolutely know you don’t *mean* these impressions with hate, but just hear me out. For the victim, it’s always there whether overt or buried in the background. The vast majority of us are guilty of slurs, no matter how innocently they are intended. Since I awoke to Abolitionism, I’ve found myself trying to make the connection for people in comments and posts on threads on Twitter and Facebook because it relates directly to the speciesist discrimination we inflict on nonhuman animals. It’s this speciesist discrimination that enables and perpetuates their violent exploitation and consumption. And so it is with human on human violence as well.

If you ever start to read up on Abolitionist animal rights (Professor Francione’s books and website I’ve referred you to) you will find the message relating to nonviolence and justice and respect. It applies to all sentient beings—nonhumans and humans alike. I have now become very aware of the many ways we are taught to discriminate and thus exploit and I’m much more conscious of it today. Even a saying like, “I killed two birds with one stone” as an example, that we use to innocently describe the efficient execution of chores, carries with it an extremely violent history. Violence is pervasive in our lives. And so I encourage others to rid themselves of the same conditioning and behaviour in their own lives.

The more you think about justice and respect and nonviolence in your daily life, the more likely you will be to understand why Veganism is not just a diet. It’s a rejection of violence (including “violent speak”) and exploitation in how we think and act, in everything we do.

I hope you read this in the constructive spirit in which it is meant, instead of being offended and getting needlessly defensive.”

For those who are currently not Vegan, I hope this note sheds a positive perspective on the subject. Always consider the victim’s point of view. It is always horrific. Being Vegan is easy.

Vegetarianism, Animal Secretions, and Misery in brief

***** No graphic content *****

I can’t help getting irritated when I see the term Vegetarian, especially used to describe a person, business, menu item, recipe, etc. because there is always the implied suggestion that being “meatless” is all that is required to “be healthier” or to “help animals”… as if that is somehow morally acceptable.

I don’t mean to sound accusing by any means because it’s a misunderstanding most Vegetarians make and live with by what they eat, wear, and use in their lives. But sadly, these actions very negatively impact billions of innocent nonhuman animals, including fish, every year. I too, at one time, was just as ignorant of the injustice and horrific misery involved in using animals for their secretions. And I wasted ten long years in that condition. When I finally awoke to Veganism, and through Professor Gary L. Francione to Abolitionist Veganism, my entire world view changed completely and forever. I encourage you to read Professor Francione’s work, which may be found in his books, searchable essays, audio, and video content at http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/

And if by chance you’ve been of the understanding there is a “humane” way to produce food and other products from animals or their secretions, I can assure you after much research, there is not! I strongly encourage you to read the related post (and its associated links) from Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, entitled “The Faces of ‘Free Range’ Farming.” They are, so far as I am aware, the *only* farm animal sanctuary who also serves effectively as a preeminent source of Vegan education.

A most vivid dream

I dreamt a most vivid and sad dream. A light overcast sky. A vast, clear, open, green grassland and on the far side, a hill running the width of the horizon. Sitting quietly, confidently in the middle of the distant hill, a gigantic obscure figure, an animal resembling a bull or a bear possibly, I could not tell. And sitting beside this mysterious being, way down near the ground, a fraction of the size, I am zoomed in like tunnel vision on my little Michael peacefully washing his face, stopping briefly to look around his immediate space. I am filled with an overwhelming sadness for he does not see me and I cannot speak to him. And then I am zoomed away. And he is left in the far distance. And I cry.

I had this dream a few weeks after little Michael passed away last January. I have relived it numerous times in my waking hours since, including today. Coincidentally, I just realized at this writing, today is the first anniversary of his diagnosis of Lymphoma. He was a dear loving little heart and I miss him terribly.

This is the first post in my “Pets as Refugees” Category. Over time there will be others illustrating the connection between the Institution of Pets, an apt term borrowed from Professor Gary L. Francione, and animal exploitation. Briefly, due to our manipulation of animals we refer to as “Pets”, we have caused to come into existence totally unnatural, completely dependent beings that are bought and sold like slaves. Millions of these innocent creatures end up on the streets of urban centres around the world where they are subject to disease, abuse, uncontrolled reproduction and live short, difficult, incredibly sad lives. Many more millions are dumped in shelters where they are routinely killed for lack of adoptive guardians or institutional monetary means of support. A relatively small number are lucky to find loving homes to live out there lives in “peace”. Michael’s tragic demise was the culmination of almost fourteen years of relative peace after approximately two years of life as a “stray”. We humans owe all existing “companion animals” our diligent care while at the same time not encouraging any more. They do not deserve such a tenuous path.

Letter to a social advocate on hard times

I recently wrote to a man who kindly answered a question several years ago. I’d like to share it with you:

Last night, while perusing my seldom used Gmail account, I came across an old thread I’d saved when I first got my account about 3 years ago. I was considering Google AdSense for my blog (which I regretfully neglect due to a preoccupation with my Twitter account—@MacVegan). In the thread, you had answered my question about AdSense.

I remember your civilized comments to my question very well.

Anyway, this time I got interested in your works through your Google profile, enjoying your recent Tea Party blog post. They are indeed a frightening political evolution, by the way, the likes of which are evident here in Canada as well, with corporate and mass media interests running the show—and the current Federal election campaign.

I was amazed to read your detailed bio on your LowGenius site, particularly your tech/music background. I come from similar roots as well, though I was only a musician for a few early years sparked by my exposure to blues in the ’60’s and especially Paul Butterfield. I then dabbled in the business for a few years as a booking agent but found there were too many cut-throat types of people to deal with for my liking. The last 31 years have been spent as a television news video tape technician of all things where in the last 15 years its transition to digital sparked my interest in computers though not quite in the same areas, it seems, as you.

I also had a look at your sad street life video essays on your Youtube channel. A terribly unfortunate experience to endure, I’m sure.

I just wanted to respond by saying I sincerely hope you continue to make steps toward all your goals. I want to offer you encouragement to persevere. You certainly have lots to offer. And I hope you don’t think it too forward of me to also suggest you check out Veganism. Don’t laugh. Let me explain.

I’m retired now as of 2009. Unfortunately, I was cut off in a traffic accident 6 months after retirement, and though fortunately not badly disabled, I am still dealing with several weekly therapies to cope with prolonged hip pain. I’ve been Vegan for 15 years or more and I’ve used much of the past several years reading up on Vegan philosophy as relates to peace, justice and respect. I found it to mean much more than just the diet that is its popular perception. And indeed, there is a growing international “Abolitionist” trend that acknowledges *any* animal use is exploitative and therefore unjust. The reason I thought you would/should be interested in this is that your obvious social awareness lends itself to that logical extension which includes nonhuman animals in the moral community. It’s not about the popular notion of, say, PETA “Animal Rights” <-(not) Activists throwing paint on someone's fur coat. As you said three years ago, this would clearly be a criminal act and results in no true understanding of the larger notion of our use of animals as "property" nor how unjust this notion is. As is the case with both human and nonhuman slaves, the Abolitionist approach is entirely about respect and justice. And so Veganism follows that logic as a necessary baseline—a minimum show of respect every human can easily practice in what we eat, wear, and use.

When you have a chance, please consider checking out the works of Professor Gary L. Francione at http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/. There is a vast array of information including video, an audio podcast, and several invaluable books Professor Francione wrote formulating and refining the Abolitionist theory.

Thanks for reading and take care of yourself.

I hope my letter meets with a favourable response.