From [email protected]
At this month's Animal Rights (AR) Conference at
American University in Washington, D.C., several keynote speakers
emphasized the need to build bridges to other activist segments in order
to expand the significance of the AR movement. Consider what they said:
Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA, stated that PETA has
launched outreach programs towards people of color;
Howard Lyman, President of EarthSave and author of "The
Mad Cowboy" and Pattrice- , Founder of The Global Coalition Against
World Hunger, emphasized the need to form coalitions with other groups
seeking social justice.
I'll try to summarize what was said during the
conference below:
When we succeed in helping others realize that animal
justice is part of social justice, we have come "full circle" in making
the connection that all life is part of the "interrelated web of
existence" and deserves equal protection and reverence accorded by
ethical, moral and judicial bodies. In the (paraphrased) words of Ingrid
Newkirk, "when it comes to pain, fear and loneliness, a dog is a rat is
a pig is a boy."
TIPS FOR ATTRACTING OTHERS TO OUR CAUSE:
Please remember, Animal Rights (AR) doesn't stand in
isolation by itself � but fits into broader social issues: poverty,
oppression at work, domestic violence, public health, health delivery
systems, nutrition and enough `food for all,' anti-violence, etc., etc.
Helping one is helping all � it's the web of life. Help others to see
the logical connection.
When talking to someone outside the AR movement, try to
understand: "What is the primary emergency/concern faced by this
person?" Is it hunger, poverty, racism, violence, helplessness, lack of
healthcare, abortion, etc. etc? Acknowledge their feelings, concerns;
their perspective. Quickly refer to the connection between their
condition and using animals in a cruel and unethical way. For example,
are they suffering from poor health and lack of healthcare? Quickly
state that billions are thrown away each year to "white coat welfare"
schemes to poison and injure animals in experiments that do not
translate into human health benefits; money that would be better spent
providing health care to humans in clinical settings. Are they concerned
about racism or oppression at home or at work? Briefly state how the
system of oppression begins with speciesism, or the oppression and
exploitation of other animals by those who have the power to do so;
discuss the animal-human violence connection. Are they hungry? Remind
them that the animal-based diet propagated by schools, governments and
industry is expensive and harmful to human health and the environment;
plant-based nutrition conserves the earth, protects the health of adults
and children, is very affordable, and does not torture and exploit other
species. If someone is concerned about abortion (pro or con), discuss
the exploitation of farmed animals by forced impregnation to produce
offspring who are ripped away at birth for sale to auction houses and
school dissection programs.
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS:
When someone says, "Well why don't you spend your time
helping humans?" You can honestly say, "I am doing so by working in the
AR movement." And then discuss some of the connections mentioned above.
You might also want to say, "Well, I've never met an Animal Rights
activist who says you can't both help the animals and help other humans;
are you saying you don't see the connection?" (The idea is to put THEM
on the defensive, challenge them to think � meet their question by
asking THEM a question in return!) You might also want to ask, "Well,
what do you do for humans that prevents you from helping animals too?"
(Usually the person you're talking to doesn't do ANYTHING to help
ANYONE�but that's another subject�)
Howard Lyman reminds us that we all need to cultivate
the patience and humility to realize that what we say to another person
is just ONE COAT OF PAINT. Psychologists and educators say it takes 7 �
12 times of hearing something before a person begins to "get it." You
may be person #4 to say something to this person about Animal Rights
(AR). Don't try to put on all 12 coats of paint at one time: you don't
want to turn the person off all together. Be gentle, direct and humble;
leave the door open enough for the next person to come along to apply
another coat of paint by speaking more of the truth about AR. We need to
pray for each other (or send positive energy; whatever makes sense to
your view of the universe.)
If you would like to learn more about "Building Bridges"
and the interrelatedness of all social justice causes, visit the
websites at:
http://www.dietforasmallplanet.com
http://www.ethicalsociety.org
http://www.madcowboy.com
http://dc.earthsave.org
http://www.pcrm.org
and the information at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnimalAdvocacy/message/2202
and at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnimalAdvocacy/message/2267
Go on to Making Ice
Cream & Butter
Return to 3 March 2002 Issue
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