Monday, January 15, 2007

Dreams and Horror - Work in Progress


ALF, Animal Rights Activists Rescue Factory Farm Chickens, 2005, 10 minutes 39 seconds.


Bird Tombstone, 1992, markers, correction fluid and acrylic on paper, from the book Crying Over Spilled Milk, 1992-1997.

Imagine living your life in a small, filthy cage constantly in pain, unable to stand or lie down comfortably. After months of agony, your torture finally ends, but not at the slaughterhouse. Instead, two gentle hands reach down to lift you out of the darkness, and bring you to a safe, loving place. For the first time in your life you can stretch your wings and legs and feel soft straw and cool grass beneath your feet. ~ Dr. Karen Davis

Just as racists see individual humans as embodiments of a particular race, speciesists see individual nonhumans as mere species representatives. Speciesism's hallmark trait is denial of nonhuman individuality. In reality, no animal is replaceable. Both physically and mentally, every sentient being is unique. Every lobster, every crow, every housefly is an individual who has a unique life experience and never will exist again. But that's not how abusers see it. For example, the flesh industry. In the flesh industry's view -- and that of flesh-eaters -- chickens, fishes, and other nonhumans can be killed by the billions each year provided that others of their species remain available for future killing. ~ Animal Equality (Joan Dunayer Speech at 2002 Austrian AR Conf)

While despising nonhumans as mindless, members of 'the rational species' riot over the outcomes of soccer games; smoke, eat, and drink themselves to death; poison the air, water, and soil on which they rely... ~ Joan Dunayer, Animal Equality 2001

3 comments:

  1. People who create such a sick environment for these poor creatures should be prepared to have this happen.

    Why do these poor animals have to suffer so much when there are alternatives?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dreamer, this is good and painful question. The only answer I have is: greed, cruelty and disrespect for life and beauty.

    ReplyDelete