Counter Ubiquitous Anti-Animal Messages

When certain forms of animal torture and murder are the norm and when images of animal exploitation are ubiquitous, those who counter such behaviors seem unusual.

But it's our responsibility to speak out for the animals.

On my morning commute I pass billboards featuring a Denny's Grand Slam breakfast, a local restaurant with a giant image of fried chicken, an advertisement for Bass Pro Shops, a picture of a large grilled fish fillet from a seafood restaurant and the words "Seafood, Steaks and Sandwiches" and a gigantic Big Mac on a McDonald's billboard.

Today I was driving behind someone whose license plate holder read "I'd rather be fishing." I wondered how other drivers would react if it had said "I'd rather be torturing animals." After all, that's what fishing -- even catch-and-release -- really is.

Other days I'm stopped in traffic behind an overcompensating man with deer, pheasant or duck decals on the back window of his pickup.

Images like these are all around us, so much so that most people don't give them a second thought. But when confronted with an opposite viewpoint -- that animals are not ours for food, recreation, etc. -- they become uncomfortable, sometimes accusing animal advocates of being self-righteous or sticks-in-the-mud or of harshing their mellow. (I learned that phrase last week and dig it.)

In fact, a writer who doesn't eat meat and who had attempted to write a positive piece about Farm Sanctuary* actually belittled animal activists.

[Gene] Baur has been a vegan since 1985, though he is hardly preachy about it.

[...]

Though I haven't eaten meat since about the Carter Administration, like Baur I'm not a scold about it.

Because of these characterizations of vegans, some of us are almost apologetic when we tell others we're vegan. We may qualify it with, "But it's a personal choice." Sure, being vegan is a choice, but it's a choice we wish everyone would make.

Last year Karen Davis of United Poultry Concerns published "Moving Beyond the Rhetoric of Apology," an important piece about standing up for animals.

The apologetic mode of discourse in animal rights is epitomized by the "I know I sound crazy, but . . ." approach to the public. If we find ourselves "apologizing" for other animals and our advocacy on their behalf, we need to ask ourselves why.

Don't give people an out by saying statements like, "It's a personal choice." Be proud. Tell people exactly why you're vegan. Tell them what happens to farmed animals.

I admit, though, I'm guilty of downplaying my veganism sometimes, too. I'm on the quiet side and don't like conflict, so sometimes I feel it's easier to drop a conversation than to stand my ground. It's something I need to work on.

I have to remind myself that, while I think I may be saying too much, being too assertive, it's nothing compared to the bombardment of anti-animal messages -- like those on my commute -- people receive daily.

I take advantage of my lengthy commute not only by writing blog posts, like this one, in my head, but also by displaying two animal-friendly bumper stickers on my car. One, with an 800 number, advertises a free vegetarian starter guide. The other, which I created with a photo of one of my foster dogs, encourages people to avoid supporting puppy mills and to adopt from a shelter or a rescue.

Be aware of the messages that corporations and others are sending you -- and flip them a big metaphorical middle finger. Go vegan and speak out on behalf of the animals.

*NOTE: An employee of Farm Sanctuary, David Benzaquen, adamantly disagreed with the writer's assertion that "pushing a meatless diet is not really a priority" for the organization, saying "This is FALSE!

"Farm Sanctuary is proud to be a VEGAN organization. We believe veganism is the best way to help animals, the environment and human health. The author seems to be confusing the fact that Farm Sanctuary believes in educating people and supporting them in making the compassionate choice to go vegan in a non-judgmental way with the ludicrous notion that veganism is not a priority."

(Photo courtesy of Mercy For Animals.)