I live in the sunshine state - with enough to be reasonably satisfied... Dedicating what I have to fix the one disclaimer to my happiness: The way we treat animals. It's shameful!
"Compassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others. You must either learn to carry the Universe or be crushed by it. You must grow strong enough to love the world, yet empty enough to sit down at the same table with its worst horrors.” ~Andrew Boyd Sure it hurts to be aware... But not doing so hurts more. Please, if you are not engaged in helping to heal the world... Ask yourself why not?
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I hope you've planned for a great weekend ahead with lots of productive and/or fun things to do! If you run low on entertainment possibilities I'd highly recommend viewing the videos of sharp and spunky advocate, The Vegan Ninja Bunny. Not eating chickens is good for your heart! Dumping meat, dairy and eggs is great for your mind too! Fruits and vegetables are healthy for your body!
Vegan Ninja Bunny is a clever gal who delivers her very important messages with a fresh style and snappy humor. Enjoy! :)
When I was first introduced to this video it had about 300 views... It now has over a million hits. This video has made the circuit on countless blogs, websites and internet news media. I'm certain you've seen it - But I just can't help but include it here as well. Why would I ever pass on the opportunity to share such pure joy?
Of course, I'm referring to Luiz Antonio, whose wisdom and sincerity is infectious!
Mom: Now eat your octopus gnocchi Luiz: Ok mom. alright... This Octopus isn't real, right? Mom: No. Luiz: Then alright... He doesn't speak and he doesn't have a head, right? I'm enamored by the way he sing-songs his case through the naming of other species: Luiz: Octopus are animals...All of them are animals... Fish are animals... Octopus are animals... Chicken are animals... Cows are animals... Pigs are animals. So...! When we eat animals they die! I don't like that they die... I like that they stay standing up. These animals... you gotta take care of them... and not eat them! We are all touched by you! Yes Luiz! You did do something beautiful! Coincidentally I watched this video right behind a second listen to this Animal Rights Zone podcast that features an interview with Australian advocate and student/graduate of the World Peace Diet facilitator's course Gypsy Wulff. At about 8:30 minutes into the podcast Gypsy is speaking of her upcoming book Turning Points in Compassion. It's to be a collection of more than 50 personal experiences of fellow advocates. Gypsy Wulff also has a website by the same name. She truly is a remarkable woman. As I listened to the podcast I was particularly tuned in when the question of how and why people eventually become awakened was asked. After acknowledging that every one's story is different Gypsy also states that "Many of the people talk about their childhood experiences, and how there were things that made them very uncomfortable. But because as children we are powerless to make our food choices, they gradually became unconscious about it and in their adult years they come back to it." Gypsy goes on to further endorse the idea that teaching compassion must begin in childhood. She also discusses how society (especially regarding the slaughter of animals) represses these early notions of justice and kindness by creating lies and myths. And so it goes that our instincts of fairness become swallowed, silenced and suppressed by these societal secrets. One doesn't have to go far to see these myths in story books where cows "give" milk, sheep "give" wool and pigs "give" bacon. Further on it's evident that adults still cling to the dissonance by the perpetuation of "happy meat" and even the twisted portrayal of Suicide Food. Clearly we know what problems telling lies to children creates... How can we ever expect to raise a whole and healthy culture if we don't deal with children and our food issues honestly? I hope every parent heeds Luiz's advice... We really shouldn't harm anyone. And with potatoes and rice and so very many more options we don't have to! I also hope parents and other adults guide children to the books available at Turning Points in Compassion and to the sister-site Kindness is Kool. The mind awakening and life affirming materials there ought to set any child on a road to a healthy heart, mind and body. We all want a future with emotionally and ethically strong fellow humans like Luiz. Let's give them every chance to become such by the example of respecting our fellow creatures as well.
My husband and I took a rare excursion on Sunday... It was an event that I was hoping to see pretty paintings and to meet with the artists. Little did I know that it would also be a place surrounded by tables of taxidermy, "skins", "furs" and weapons to harm. Needless to say my Vegan tee-shirt stuck out like a sore thumb. :/ On top of that the particular tent that contained the ONLY exhibit I was interested in was right next to a marathon of "duck calling" contests. What a headache to shout over that annoying, constant bombardment of noise meant to trick helpless birds... Anyway - I digress...
Among the displays of the remains of murdered others was also a "petting zoo". There was a camel, a zebra, a lama, a cow, some sheep and goats. At least those were the beings I could see on the perimeter. I couldn't help but stop to stroke a friendly Billy (and tell him how sorry I was)... In a moment a child was behind me, with his outstretched hand ready to join in the love saying "Don't worry... I won't hurt you."
Funny thing --- Recently at a road side flea market a young girl also said that very same thing to these enslaved ponies: "Don't worry... I won't hurt you."
And I'm certain I overheard another child whisper this too as he mounted the elephant for a ride: "Don't worry... I won't hurt you."
Meanwhile when the parents hear this they are so convinced and pleased that they are raising sensitive and sympathetic kids... So normal - So right. So socially well adjusted:
...And so very humane.
If you are a parent... Of course you know that your children learn everything about life from you. Please, for their sake and for the innocent nonhumans - Don't let it be all lies! Spread the real love! There are compassionate and healthier options! Go Vegan!
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A first grader won a drawing contest promoted by the Idaho Beef Council. In this image there's a man extracting milk from a cow's udders - They are standing on green grass in front of a red barn. Riding on the rainbow that extends the mountain ranges are depictions of a pizza, an ice cream cone, a glass of milk, a burger and items made of meat.
Now... I know this is young child was not born into thinking that the cows were meant for such "productions". I know this young girl wasn't told the whole story of how the cows and their babies are killed. She wasn't told about the force and might used in the making of dairy and flesh... She wasn't told that there are other choices to make --- But I'm most certainly sure she was told that the cows are happily here for us to use:
So her artistic work won the Cattle are Amazing contest giving her a $100 certificate for toys and a field trip for her class to go to a cattle ranch. (amazing) :/
And so (not) astute are these Beef Council folks that not only have they restricted clear thinking in this little girl's mind - But they also presented her work in reverse as well!
Guess that's okay... The "products" are all there. I'm certain too - That they don't care at all that her emotional intelligence is directed "backwards" as well.
Parents: Children will listen - Please teach them respect, compassion and kindness.Don't teach them hatred for other species. Please live justly - So they will do the same.
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This man was also said to be a "spirtual leader" in the community.
But this cannot be so! A "spiritual leader" does not corrupt the essential loving nature of a child. A "spiritual leader" does not inflict unnecessary harm to the innocent. A "spiritual leader" does not condone frivolous, acts of violence.
On this father's day - I choose to acknowledge just a few of the men who I consider to be honest guides in the quest for spiritual enlightenment. Men who cherish peace and nonviolence. Men who are strong enough to be thoughtful. Men who are courageous enough to be kind.
MEN WHO ARE FATHERS IN THE ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT:
And there are countless other figures and "fathers" who I respect, because their message and actions do not condone needless killing - But rather promote a gentler, kinder world.
So... to those who see hunting as a "sport" - To those who have no problem warping the authentic pure nature of a child... To those who spread and live the lie of "dominance by destruction" - Your deeds are reckless and poisonous. And just like the father who planned the killing of a rabbit - Sometimes the cost of doing so is paid by unintended victims.
It would have been better had this man cherished the things worthy of value... On this Father's Day and for the ones that follow - It would have been a sweeter outcome for all...
Yes, there's more to my "trigger event"... I suppose I need to fully vocalize everything that happened so I can "move on". The first few weeks were very painful. Each morning I'd awaken from a nightmare - only to find that it was all true. That overnight (as I slept through "my watch") millions of animals were brutalized - "legally". This shock stays with me even now; but my consciousness has learned to accept it more. My first aware thoughts always include: "Oh yeah, we butcher animals"... And then my day continues with this information, as in accepting the loss of a loved one... Only it's harder because it's not the same death... of the one; but countless ones, executed by deliberate means and for frivolous reasons.
This quote from Once You Know Something, You Can't Not Know It”: An Empirical Look at Becoming Vegan by Barbara McDonald sums it up: The emotions felt during the catalytic experience were typically negative ones: pain, shock, guilt, sadness, or depression. Lisa, like Michelle, cried as she first learned about animal cruelty. Lena told about her emotional reaction to a video about vivisection, saying, “It affected me so dramatically. It just broke my heart. I have never had [anything] to [have] such an effect.”
Healing through this trauma is in 5 stages- This is the process that I never could get a therapist to help me through: 1. Trigger event 2. Appraisals of assumptions 3. Exploration of alternatives to current assumptions 4. Developing alternative perspectives 5. Integration of new perspectives into daily life (go vegan)
I talk more about "Liz" and why the extinction of farmed animals would not distress me in the least.
While I'm glad she's alive... and wish the other billions could be spared too; These beings are nothing that nature would ever have created. They are products of an industry and a "science" that made them into non-functioning freaks.
If anyone is interested in knowing about these special, beautiful birds, here's more.
I apologize for the quality in the clip from the re-recording of Jordan Wyatt's podcast "Jay Wont Dart" episode #9. Jordan has a great sense of humor... lots of interesting bits about his vegan experiences and if you haven't listened yet... you're missing out. Episode #9 also includes an interview with Elizabeth Collins of NZ Vegan. And both Jordon and Elizabeth are interviewed on Sam Tucker's NZ Teen podcast. That effort for "down under" advocacy really seems to be working! :)
This clip of Jordan's reflects my feeling too - that I wish I'd never eaten meat. And to say children raised on vegetarian or vegan diets are "brainwashed", works the other way too.
Of course parents disguise and avoid telling their children the truth - Kids are not geared to "eat their friends". And the sad fact is, that most parents/adults haven't reconciled themselves to doing such either.
Although I don't mention it in the podcast, ever since going vegan I've begun a "search" to find out where/how children are indoctrinated via story books. I frequent the libraries and thriftstores collecting books with animal and farm themes. They are all so cute, and naive. Each one elaborates on the "happy" lives of cows, pigs, chickens and other barn "pets".
It would be an odd child to not fall in love with these cuddly companions who "give" us milk and eggs...
Some books even say "From pigs we *get* meat", or have illustrations of objects like footballs, leather shoes, feather dusters, woolen mittens, and so on. And they present it in such an innocuous way - None but the most depraved child could ever imagine the truth about such "giving" friends.
Now, I know many would say - that "It's common sense" to know (as adults) where/how these objects came to be "from" these animals. But I think common sense only applies to what you were allowed (or allowed) your mind to comprehend. I think most people push the reality as far back into their subconscious that it's never really dealt with... Well, until a video, a story or an animal rights advocate brings it to focus.
Then there are those who block the information so thoroughly that they "think" they "know"... But haven't dealt with any of the issues at all. Because if they had done so, they would not respond to conversations by shutting down. They would be able to voice their opinions and beliefs. Instead, they figuratively hide their faces - and block their minds (and hearts). And their "common sense" is to pretend that the matter does not exist. They place their heads upon the pillow, numb to the reality of where the feathers originated.
As a result, these well meaning adults (in denial) also raise emotionally crippled children. And that is a very unkind thing to do. So Jordan, and any others like me, who have some anger against a system that fosters this laming - I think the regret is with good reason.
I want to clarify again that I'm not advocating violence, it's just that I don't know how much pacifism one can sanction before non-action becomes "complicity"? And how much tolerance to animal enslavement and murder do we accept before we are "speciesist"?
I don't know much about the ALF's activities... only that in 30 years they've never physically harmed anyone. I know that the simple act of removing the worthless factory hens, (scheduled to be gassed), would make me a "terrorist". I know that in the bull ring in Barcelona - dozens of animal rights activists disrupted an "event". They had bottles thrown at them from hostile spectators in the stands. ARA are labeled as "aggressive" even in the defense of a victim.
With human rights... I always believed that my rights ended where an other's began --- And in my mind, animals DO have rights - they are just not recognized or enforced by society. And if aggressive acts are done (physically harming none) - to protect those ignored rights of animals - Then it is justified, no matter how much monetary loss is incurred. For me the destruction of "things" accounts for nothing in comparison to the infringements of life. And those who seek out thugs who assault and injure the innocent are my heroes, even if their tactics aren't seen as "peaceful".
I suppose there are no clear answers to what is or isn't "force"... But I do know that I see the ALF as being justified in their actions because they are doing what it takes to save victims against real terrorists. Perhaps it is meant to be that some champions battle in the fields, while others work in ways they can, to reshape ideology making it easier for them to do such? But in that case, we've really compromised these heroes by allowing the AETA to exist, and should do all we can to dismantle this oppressive legislation.
I think it's fitting to end this with another "vegan story" as told by freedom fighter Keith Mann...
Thanks for listening/reading... If you have any answers or further comment to my questions - of course I welcome all the help I can get in resolving these queries. I do want to do the right thing...
And I am my brother's keeper And I will fight his fight, And speak the word for beast and bird, Till the world shall set things right. ~Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)
