Once upon a time, a year or so ago, I was an untenured
Philosophy professor. I had to answer to the shrill complaints of the
Chairs of the Philosophy and Humanities Departments about my custom of
teaching vegetarianism and animal rights issues. I also endured
anonymous and ignorant Professors from other departments writing to the
Chair of the Philosophy Department and vilifying the content of my
teaching methods and courses about which they knew nothing. I always
took a career risk, for the material was controversial (much more than
my teaching of Nietzsche, feminism, Marx, etc.) and was enough in a
standard intolerant university environment to get me fired (although 99%
of my students loved what I do, a vast majority move toward
vegetarianism, and many take my classes specifically to learn about
health and animal rights issues).
But alas, much to my surprise, as I was downloading an
application to the Peace Corps, I did get tenure (in large part thanks
to a strong publication and teaching record), and now I am Chair of the
Philosophy Department. So instead of answering to others, I myself set
the policies, and believe me, they will forever include the teaching of
animal rights and ethical vegetarianism. In fact, next spring, I will
co-teach a seminar on "Animal Rights and the Law" that already is
attracting a lot of interest.
So who says a radical anarchist, vegan, animal rights
theorist and activist can't survive in a medieval and anthropocentric
university environment? Animal rights teachers of the world unite! We
have nothing to lose but our fear of teaching and doing what is right -
http://utminers.utep.edu/best/ (home page)
Go on to Vetzine - New Free Pet Health e-zine from Alex Gough
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