Animal Rights/Vegan Activists' Strategies Articles

Less Harm is STILL Harm

From There's an Elephant in the Room blog
June 2023

How often do we see the words ‘realistic’ or ‘pragmatic’ being used by self-styled ‘advocates’ and organisations who promote bargaining away and compromising the lives and the rights of our victims? However sanctimonious we may think such ‘pragmatism’ sounds, it is an utter betrayal of every forlorn individual we use.

Image is of Missy who was rescued from a 'free range farm' by Eden Farmed Animal Sanctuary Ireland

How often do we see the words ‘realistic’ or ‘pragmatic’ being used by self-styled ‘advocates’ and organisations who promote bargaining away and compromising the lives and the rights of our victims?

How often do we see claims that for our victims, we need to be ‘realistic’ and ask for reduced levels of harm, reduced frequency of harm, harm conducted in different environments?

Such messaging is popular with far too many, among nonvegans and industry alike. Sadly, even some who call themselves vegan are seduced by this rhetoric and those who spout it.

However sanctimonious we may think such ‘pragmatism’ sounds, it is an utter betrayal of every forlorn individual who is, was and will continue to be used as a human resource; every miserable soul whose pitiful existence was a bleak test of endurance leading only to a premature and agonising death; every single one of their descendants whose blood will flow to meet nonvegan demands.

Asking for ‘reduced harm’ is actually CONTINUING TO PROMOTE harm, while endorsing it as a ‘realistic’ measure.

Coming from anyone who claims to defend ‘animal rights’, it’s an utter betrayal, seeing as their audience is simply looking for—and getting—approval to continue their own exploitative behaviour. In this way the status of our victims as objects and resources rather that the individuals that they are, is reinforced and given the stamp of approval by those who falsely claim to represent their interests.

Our victims have no one but us, and we owe it to them to represent their interests in a clear and unequivocal way. We cannot be sure that our audience will act on the information we provide, but of one thing we can be absolutely certain. To continue to promote harm and call it ‘being realistic’ is an unforgiveable betrayal.

Image by Andrew Skowron is of a Cow abused for her breastmilk

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