I saw a couple videos online this past week dealing with animal cruelty. They are graphic. Watch at your own discretion. One shows a dog-like creature being skinned alive for its fur. You know it's still alive after losing its hair and skin because it blinks and opens its mouth. That image will stick with you for a while. The other deals with food animals. Their respective messages are: don't wear fur and don't eat meat.
The practices shown in these videos are atrocious. The videographers' point is that YOU are causing these practices if you wear fur or eat meat. They call for you to be a more conscious consumer. While I think that it is a good idea to be a conscious consumer, I think that the responsibility to stop this animal cruelty is in the hands of those that perpetuate such practices. Given the choice, I would eat a steak from a cow that was dead before getting its throat slit or its hide removed.
The problem of not being able to distinguish "mistreated-animal-meat" from "good, healthy, safe, fun" animal meat could possibly be solved with labeling. By giving the consumer more information on the practices behind raising (and slaughtering) the meat, they could make more informed decisions.
While it is possible to convert to veganism, it is difficult to do it right. I mean, to be healthy at the same time. I think that changing your diet is a great choice for some people, but they can't expect everyone else to do it. You know, like Immortal Technique says...
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Being a vegetarian... I feel a little compelled to point out a few things.
For the most, I agree with you. The videos are disgusting, accurate, consumer-friendly labeling would allow for more informed choices and it is difficult to be a vegan.
However, I don't believe most vegetarians/vegans openly verbalize their opinions and ideals. That's the way of annoying activists when then have a martyr complex. It has been my experience that people will ask you when they want to know about it… The whole, actions speak louder than words thing.
I think people who want to make informed decisions about the foods they choose to eat will do anything they can to make the right choice. For me, sometimes it is easier not to eat meat, when its origin/quality is in question (here’s where good labeling would be nice). However, shrugging your shoulders and saying "well, too bad so sad... I still wanna eat my beef tonight" isn't going to change a thing.
The author Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) discusses how lots of people think Congress should protect American consumers through labeling, food control policies, etc. He argues however, that "the political influence of the fast food industry and its agribusiness suppliers makes a discussion of what congress should do largely academic. The fast food industry spends million of dollars every year on lobbying but BILLIONS on mass marketing. The wealth and power of the major chains make them seem impossible to defeat. And yet those companies must obey the demand of one group- consumers- whom they eagerly flatter and pursue. As the market for fast food in the United States becomes increasingly saturated, the chains have to compete fiercely with one another for customers...The slightest drop in a chain's market share can cause a large decline in the value of stock....The right pressure applied to the fast food industry in the right way could produce change faster than any act of congress."
McDonald's is just one example, but as the largest purchaser of beef, if their consumers demanded better quality meat, from safe and sanitary factories with workers who have substantial wages, they would have no choice but to do it. The same is true for their potatoes and chicken production.
Basically if companies aren't giving consumers what they want, we can make them change. But, YOU have to change... and with enough motivation and force to make a difference.
That’s how I feel atleast.
To be fair, most of the vegetarians/vegans I know do NOT try to push their agenda on me. They will talk about it if you bring it up, and they aren't condescending. When I said those things about the "people," it was the people behind those videos and extremist groups. I think Stephanie says it best. Sorry that I didn't articulate my idea clearly.
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