“When you truly understand that your food choices are powerful and life affirming, you can exercise control and restraint without deprivation.”-Marlene Adelmann
Why is it that in America we love certain animals and eat others? Do we just like certain species more? What makes it okay for us to eat one species and love another? Why do we have these preconceived notions? What really makes the difference?
In America, it is completely acceptable to eat cows, chickens, pigs, and fish. However, if you stumbled across someone eating a burger made of dog you would be horrified. What makes these species different? They are both living things. Their lives both have the same value. For some reason, it was decided that some animals are okay to eat and others are not.
In Peru, guinea pigs are eaten. In America, though, we view them as pets. Dog meat is normal in other countries. An example is China. However, most Americans view that as barbaric and disgusting.
Horses are another example of what Americans would never think of eating. In other countries horse meat is common. In America, the thought of eating a horse is repulsive. Insects and spiders are also eaten in many countries. Some Americans will try this, while others abhor the idea. Rats are eaten in other countries. In America, rats are pets.
Why do we think it is okay to love certain animals and eat others? All lives have the same value. It is hypocritical to put one life before another. Americans riot against the Chinese eating dogs as they chow down on their steak from a cow. What is the difference? There is not one.
The only thing that makes it okay to eat one animal and love another is societies’ beliefs. No life should be put above another, people need to think carefully why they think it is okay to eat certain animals and not others. It is extremely hypocritical to think others are barbaric for eating an animal you would not. I can not stress this point enough, all living things have value and should not be killed or used for human consumption.
For more information I recommend reading Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism by Melanie Joy, PhD and foreword by John Robbins.
[…] by Calista Whitney, Chic Vegan […]