Over 9 billion animals are killed in the United States yearly for food. This haunting number is unimaginable, and clearly not “humane” or “compassionate.”
We know that animals suffer for meat, and by imposing new welfare models we are labeling their consumption as ethically feasible. Let’s not forget that no matter what law is enforced, farm animals will be killed, an act that truly cannot be “humane” (The synonym to “humane slaughter” is “compassionate massacre.”). If suffering truly bothers us, if the notion that animals are exploited under systemic oppression makes us question what’s for dinner, then there is only one solution: to end the consumption of all animal products.
Animal liberation will not occur overnight, just like the abolition, fight for gender equality, etc. But it is us, as American consumers, who have the power to end the demand for meat over the course of our lifetimes and future generations by simply buying the “highest rated” food: that which causes no animal suffering. Otherwise, animals will continue to suffer, no matter what color sticker is put on their slaughtered remains."
I wrote this under a fury of emotions, and now that I look back on it, I wonder how effective it is. To date, it has not been put in the paper (these things generally take a week, I submitted it two days ago), so I know of no response. Did I write in a way that people will be receptive? Were my goals too lofty to the point that people might disregard them? Was my language appropriate?
My main message had to be said: meat is not humane, therefore we should not consume meat. But I wonder if this letter will impact someone. I truly hope so!
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