I think that my heart of darkness today is animal mistreatment. I have been a vegetarian for about six years now, and even though that makes an impact, I think that there are still things I could be doing, but I'm not.
People are so blind to the way that animals are treated, and not just when they are slaughtered for meat. Chickens and cows are treated so poorly for humans to get eggs or milk, and people really overlook that. People always give the excuse "Well, that's what these animals were put on Earth for", but is that really it? I don't think these innocent animals were put here to be violently abused and slaughtered.
Until recently, people have turned a blind eye to the fact that so many major cosmetic companies test their products on animals. They use these animals "just because" and do not look into the horrid pain these animals are going through just so we can look nice and not get an eye infection from some mascara.
Though I am guilty of loving cheese and owning products tested on animals, I see this as my heart of darkness. I'm a part of the Animal Rights Club at the school, and know all of this information yet I still do these things? This is exactly why this is my heart of darkness. Everyday, I try a little hard to change my actions for the better of the animals, even as hard as it may be.
There are a few disappointing circumstances where we see animal mistreatment. However, I think that you are making an unfair generalization. I have been to several farms where the animals are humanly treated.
ReplyDeleteIf you are upset that humans kill animals for food, then I think that is irrational. Animals kill other animals for food all the time.
It's fine that you want to refrain from eating other animals but don't go around claiming that everyone who is not a vegetarian is are "violently" abusing and slaughtering animals.
Some animals get their food from other animals, that's just how it is.
I love this post, Anna! I'm incredibly passionate about humane animal treatment as well, and no matter how much I do to to try to eschew anything that brings harm to them, it's kind of defeating to see it everywhere. I have learned that (at least for me) it's easy to get swept up in it and care for animals more than I do myself, and my health will then suffer. Sometimes we do have to be a little selfish, but we do so much in just caring.
ReplyDeleteI recently saw the documentary "Cowspiracy" which despite its name turned out to be really informative, and showed me that the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions comes not from transportation, but from the raising of livestock.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Anna! I completely agree with it, because my own heart of darkness is really similar to yours. I still eat some milk products, even though dairy cows lives are just about as bad as meat cows. Lots of stuff to think about..
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