More and more I am becoming aware of the subtle and not-so-subtle
ways that humans worldwide “take out” or relieve their frustrations on
others. These “others” may be humans or they may be other animals.
Scapegoating is an ages-old method of placing blame or “dumping.” It
is so common that many people aren’t even aware of it.
Here is one example: the TV commercial for a window cleaning product.
This ad is an example of humans attributing negative characteristics –
ones found only in their own species – to non-humans. A couple of
cartoon-like magpies trick a human man into walking into a closed glass
door that has just been cleaned, and rendered invisible, with this
window cleaning spray. The magpies are overjoyed by the man’s blunder.
It is obvious that this ad is meant to be funny, while the point is made
about the alleged excellence of this glass cleaner. (Advertisers, as
well as speech writers, know that humor relaxes people, thereby making
them more open and accepting of the message presented.)
Many humans (particularly hunters, who often cite “Bambi”) accuse
animal advocates of anthropomorphizing other animals – of attributing
human traits to non-humans. Yet, isn’t this what these accusers do in
their cynical attempts to denigrate those of other species whom they
deem inferior? It seems that every autumn, during hunting season, the
newspapers print some hunter’s complaint of a deer or goose attack. How
about a killer rabbit?! The hunters’ desire to justify and excuse their
cruelty against animals, who have the God-given right to live their
lives without the harassment of humans, crosses over into the absurd and
ridiculous. It’s interesting that while some people will cite some
human-like characteristics of other animals, they often try to ignore or
downplay the horrific physical and emotional pain suffered by these
creatures of God. It is time for the lying to stop and for the legal
rights of other animals to be established.
