There is a problem in the relationship between human and other-then-human animals . And it�s a social justice issue, as real as racism, sexism and homophobia. In fact, it�s the same problem. Oppressive power structures and the institutions and people that control them disenfranchise and exploit vulnerable individuals. The exploited lose their inherent value: they become of value only so far as they are useful to the dominant group. Their right to choice and self-determination are ridiculed, dismissed and subordinated to the wants and whims of the dominators.
So what are we talking about? We�re talking about women (wimmin !), workers, people of colour, gays, lesbians, children, and animals. Exploitation and disrespect use the same tools to turn individuals into commodities; in the sex trade, child-labour, wage-labour, slavery and the meat and dairy industry. Alot of us make up roles of dealing with the world and with others, we set up arbitrary moral boundaries. Some exclude wimmin, some draw lines that exclude gays and lesbians, some draw lines around anyone who�s not familiar. Most of us draw lines between us and animals. So their lives and needs, their loves and fears all become slabs of meat on the table. Or a "medical" tool. Or a pair of shoes. Or a "pet".
BUT IT�S ONLY CONVENTION THAT TELLS US TO EAT AND USE ANIMALS. It�s not a reason, or need, or anything but outright greed. We have to challenge these customs just as we challenge discrimination on the basis of gender, race, age or sexual orientation. Because it�s all the same bill of goods that the power elite want us to accept. Put it in this way: if you can make a case for eating a hamburger, you can make a case to defend rape, gay-bashing and white supremacy. Arbitrary ethical boundaries don�t work for the individuals on the other side. Social justice is about stopping brutality and extending consideration to the inherent value of others.
By not eating meat and dairy, and not wearing animals for clothing, you acknowledge that animals are complex, thinking, feeling individuals who are denied choices and fundamental freedoms just to feed the greed of human beings. And you deny the system that tells you everything�s value is in whether it can be bought or sold. You can strike back even more deeply: by joining or forming an animal-liberation organisation, you�re throwing the garbage that society calls "decency" and "respectable morals" right back in it�s fucking face. And even if some twisted chunks of tortured muscle still swing over a slaughterhouse killing floor, your voice on the streets is a voice the animals didn�t have before. Because society doesn�t listen to the voice of the oppressed - unless someone stands up and shouts back!!!
I got this from the Propagandhi cd "Less Talk, More Rock"
I haven't eaten meat for almost two years now (except for a couple of really really drunk nights). At first i thought it might be very hard and that i probably wouldn't be able to keep it up, but once you have started changing your attitude towards food and animals, it really isn't as hard as it seems. Now i don't even think about eating meat anymore, it even isn't an option anymore when i'm hungry. The idea of eating an animal to me is as abstract as eating my mom (kinda). Of course, you have to replace the meat by some other food, but that's not difficult at all. Most stores and restaurants have a vegetarian menu, or at least one without meat. The hardest part is, as always, throwing aside the socially accepted tradition of killing living, feeling, thinking beings for consuming them. Society has a cruel way of filtering it's feelings towards certain issues when it's own interest is concerned. Run over a dog in the street and everybody will stop and feel sorry for the animal, and then they'll go home and have a nice juicy steak for dinner, not realizing, or not willing to do so, that they are just as well killing animals. Of course, it is much easier not to stop and think about a faceless piece of meat.
Never the less, more and more vegetarian products are being sold every day, and if every one would try to help people become more conscious of their actions, we would really be able to make a difference.