Animal Defenders of Westchester

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We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Animal Defenders of Westchester
P.O. Box 205
Yonkers, NY 10704

Letters

Pigs don't litter

Published in the WESTCHESTER WEEKLY, November 8, 2001:

Great article about littering ("America love its litter" Oct 11), a largely undiscussed yet sad legacy of mankind.  Alan Bisbort writes, "Bird watchers, nature walkers and canoeists litter very little.  Hunters, fisherman, motor boaters and water-skiers litter a lot."  This is no wild coincidence.  One group loves Earth's sentient inhabitants, one group plunders them.

There is very frequently an inter-relationship between those who love animals and environmentalists:  we love deer and, by extension, we love the land they live on.  Certainly, we are, for the same reasons, more likely to respect the Earth.

One semantic quibble:  Please don't call people who despoil the Earth "pigs."  Pigs don't litter; they are the victims of the plunderers. Although there have been some much-needed alterations in the English language (remember when 'deaf and dumb,' 'retarded,' and 'old maid' littered the lexicon?)  derogatory terms about animals have yet to catch up.  But words have power. Casual words find their way into our thoughts and ideas and ultimately shape our lives.

Using the word 'pig' to describe any derogatory act subtly allows that being to be objectified and subsequently brutalized - that living, breathing, intelligent being who loves her babies just like humans do, is now a 'thing,' and not a very nice thing.

Please WEEKLY, you always acknowledge the power of language on your pages; extend it to the animals, along with all other living beings.  I insist upon it, even durign these most trying times - or perhaps especially during them.

Kiley Blackman

Spokesperson, Animal Defenders of Westchester

Westchester, NY


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