Our obligation is to keep working for the world we want
How to Avoid Burning Out as an Animal Rights Activist
Articles from All-Creatures.org

FROM Karen Davis, UPC United Poultry Concerns
August 2019

I adhere to Pessimism of the Intellect, Optimism of the Will, and Perseverance.

Working for whom and what we care about is never a waste, even if the outcome is doomed. And since we do not know for certain what progress may be made as a result of our efforts, our obligation is to keep working for the world we want.

Regarding the fight for animal rights, the writer and Washington Post columnist and peace studies professor at American University in Washington, DC, Colman McCarthy, said: “Don’t worry about being successful; just be faithful.” He meant that whether or not we have faith, our responsibility is to keep faith, in our mission and with those we seek to liberate from misery and abuse.

“Success” depends on many things; many outside our control. By contrast, keeping faith is entirely within our control, through the work we choose to do.

I adhere to Pessimism of the Intellect, Optimism of the Will, and Perseverance. As I describe here:

AVOIDING BURNOUT How Does One Survive Dealing Day After Day with a Cruel Industry?

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