From L.O.V.E.: You Can Help Stop This
August 2, 2010
Our much-admired friends at L.O.V.E. (Living Opposed to Exploitation and Violence) have just released new animal activism tools at http://www.youcanhelpstopthis.com/, including a video and a pamphlet (PDF) created from the same materials. If you click through to the YouTube video and click on the “CC” at the bottom of the video, you’ll see that the subtitles are available in other languages as well, with more to come.
You can read more about the effort and about L.O.V.E.’s intentions and hopes for these anti-exploitation outreach tools via a blog post there — “New Video Available: ‘You Can Help Stop This.’”
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Stephanie Ernst
Marji
Kelly G.
Deb
Mary Martin
I hadn’t heard of L.O.V.E. before. Their video is very well done, covering all aspects of nonhumans’ oppression simply, clearly, compellingly. While I understand the sensitive, squeamish feelings of those who shy away from depictions of violence, I wish they would dare watch this 9 minutes and 20 seconds of routine treatment of animals in every walk of life and ask themselves whether their attitude and actions are part and parcel of that violence.
People are seduced by comforting words like “humane” stamped on the cellophane of a corpse, when they should be ashamed of their complicity in such dehumanizing deeds. Because oppression and devaluation of other species has been the accepted norm for centuries on end, good people don’t even question what they are “fed” (mentally and physically).
Thank you for making this non-copyrighted material available, L.O.V.E., and thank you for spreading word of it, Stephanie.
I completely agree with you Olivia. I was vegetarian for four years and for the most part tended to shy away from anything I thought was going to be graphic. But then I read an article Stephanie posted at the previous blog about what happens to male chicks born in an egg farm, and I was so horrified I decided to become vegan right then and there.
Although I’ll probably never be able to bring myself to watch any more of those graphic videos (including this one), I know they are very powerful tools in getting people to go vegan, so instead I just post facebook links urging non-vegans to watch them, or I try to get friends or family to watch them in front of me (with my back turned and my eyes closed, of course).
The more people can see the complete and utter violence animals face on such a massive scale, and the more they realize they are being complicit in one of the biggest lies humanity has ever conjured up, the more likely they are to become vegan.
This was a good introduction to the ethical problem of animal exploitation but….I have companion dogs. They are ‘rescues’ one was thrown out on the side of the road with his siblings to die. Two are from abusive homes where they suffered. Now they live with me, it is true that this is an ‘unnatural’ situation. But I don’t see it as exploitative. This may be because of my own selfishness, I’m unsure on that. And willing to think about it. But the alternatives of simply letting them die, or killing them is not any better to my mind. I don’t breed animals, I don’t buy animals, I do walk them on leashes. I don’t feel evil about that. There are cars, coyotes and hunters in our area. Again, the alternatives are not good. And I tend to think the message that people who live with non human animals are bad turns off a lot of us. Which is a shame, I understand the need for ethical lines to be drawn but I hate that as a vegan I am on the other side for a lot of people. And I have no inclination to abandon non human, domesticated animals to get on the ‘right’ side of the equation.
I don’t think what I’m about to say conflicts with the point I made above. At least I hope it doesn’t.
@vida: I went back and watched (winced at) the video again — really, just listened to the words and read them at the bottom of the screen, which is all I could handle — to see what it says about those the world (or at least Americans) consider “pets.”
I noticed the part about restraining them in cages and on leashes and harnesses. And the part about buying/selling/paying retail price for them. And the part about ripping them from their families. But it doesn’t mention the idea of *rescuing* and providing a good home for individuals of domesticated species, does it?
For my part, I think any effort to help a nonhuman who someone else has bred and removed from his family and bought and sold and abandoned and neglected and mistreated deserves someone like you in his life, vida.
I believe enlightened individuals, you among them, are doing their highest sense of what is best for nonhumans within the confines of society’s structure and laws.
For example, crating adopted dogs is, in my mind, a temporary measure. Intelligent, loving training, which teaches humans to respect nonhuman companions instead of dominate them (www.HelpYourDog.com provides an excellent example of the former ) results in secure, thus happy, dogs. Once a dog’s anxiety disappears, there is often no more “need” for a crate.
Leashes, required by law in most communities, can be seen as a protection to all. But the woman at the above-mentioned website (she’s a vegan, by the way, who sees her mission as one of teaching humans to see/treat nonhuman companions with respect) proves that once humans establish a true dialogue with their nonhuman friends, the leash no longer acts as a restraint, but is merely a sign to others of compliance with the law.
More people in today’s society who appreciate the needs/desires of canines are joining with government officials to establish public dog parks, where dogs can run free with friends of their own species.
As for “owning” nonhumans, the concept of “guardianship” is catching on in more communities, thanks to programs like IDA’s Guardian Campaign, which gives enlightened citizens and receptive municipal officials tips for passing such ordinances.
I see all these efforts to improve the lives of already domesticated nonhumans as signs of moral progress. In fact, I would venture to say that this higher way of thinking and acting shows that humans are not meant to be divided or cut off from nonhumans, but rather are meant to be at-one with them in relationships that are mutually beneficial, uplifting, fulfilling.
In fact, from every indication, dogs seek out and thrive on human companionship. This is proof, to me, that some (and eventually all?) respectful, loving interspecies relationships will be regarded as natural and normal. And right for all.
As for horses, more of them are being rescued these days than ever before, it would appear. And more of those rescued ones are treated as “pasture ornaments” (seniors who are past their prime) or as pals with whom to enjoy life. In fact, I think more horses these days are given useful, fun activities where the emphasis is on helping them grow and flourish rather than considering them exploitable objects, drudges. Granted, it’s a trickle, but it’s a trend. Like canines, equines enjoy developing close bonds with humans who treat them as friends and who help them develop as individuals with talents and interests.
That said, I don’t see the point in taking more wild horses away from their families and freedom. While that may once have seemed legitimate for any number of reasons, it can no longer be justified, for just as many reasons.
What I’m saying is that when humans lead the way by acting as servants (helping their nonhuman friends to be the best they can be, giving them the space and the incentive to freely express themselves to the fullest) instead of as a master (dictating and dominating and forcing their desires upon nonhumans), then I think that’s the ultimate in right relationships among species.
I’m been talking only about already domesticated individuals in largely domesticated species. But I see more evidence all the time that when humans respect wild animals and their habitat, wild animals return the respect, and all dwell in peaceful proximity to one another. And I’d also observe that when humans rescue wild animals who are in danger, the animals bond with the humans in deep ways; I’m thinking here of Jessica the hippo.)
To me, abolition means abolishing unjust, oppressive, exploitive treatment of nonhumans. It is about destroying immoral, selfish thoughts, which show up in immoral, selfish behavior toward fellow-beings.
But it does NOT mean, in my view, that humans and nonhumans go their separate ways. We have much to learn from and enjoy in one another.
When we elevate what it means to be “useful” from the negative ( “using” nonhumans for the one-sided, selfish pleasure and profit of humans) to the positive (valuing nonhumans for who they are as individuals with an inherent right to happiness and life), then it seems right to me that we share each other’s lives, side by side. I think we enhance and expand our own individuality when we act to benefit one another. The whole creation is blessed by that mutual affection and shared peace.
So, I don’t foresee a future wherein dogs and cats and horses returning to their wildness (that is, their fear and dread of man). Rather, I see man elevating his concept of himself and of all creation to a higher, purer viewpoint. I believe we’re each here to prove that we are one universe, one planet, one family, and one huge heart, all reflecting one creative Intelligence and Love.
“United we stand, divided we fall.” This axiom must apply to ALL sentient species, to all inhabitants of this “very good” earth.
I’m in total agreement with everything you say Olivia. It all makes such perfect sense. Not only don’t I see a future totally void of relationships with domestic or rescued nonhumans, but I don’t have the desire to either. I believe that man can and will eventually square up his moral consideration with animals… This does not mean in all situations that a total divide from each other will be necessary.
Of course I would never want an Other to be deliberately bred for the purpose of “companionship” as in “pets”. But as long as there are those who exist now, and are in need of loving homes and a good life I see nothing wrong with this interaction. I’d like to see a world where respect is given in the concept of “guardianship” rather than “ownership”. Thanks Olivia for cracking this topic open with your wise assessment of it all. And for the lead to IDA’s Guardian Campaign.
For me it would be a tragic notion to ever think that the only experience nonhumans ever had with man would be with a harsh and brutal hand. I would like for the best within us to someday set things right with animals. We all deserve this chance at the Peace I believe we are destined for.
Thanks so much L.O.V.E. for this compelling video. And like you Stephanie, I intend to share with those who need to know.