Well, as most of you Californians (and many non-locals as well) probably know, Prop 2 passes by an overwhelming majority of votes yesterday. While my first reaction was a very happy one, I have had mixed feelings about this proposition, even though I did vote yes on it. Here are some of those feelings.
When I first read the actual proposition, I was disappointed and even a little angry about how little it actual improves the lives of farm animals. As I mentioned to a friend, it's almost like putting a bandaid on a heart attack. It doesn't go into effect until 2015, there's lots of loopholes, and the bottom line is, it's not a big difference in each animal's life. As a matter of fact, those who belong to the animal abolitionist movement (a movement considered rather extreme by many, but whose views I support for the most part), were even more angered than I, and some were against the proposition because they felt like it would make people feel guilt-free about indulging in animal products, regardless of the fact that the animals would still live a miserable tortured life and die a horrible death.
However, I still stand behind it based on the following reasons: for one thing, it got people thinking about farm animals, some of whom have probably never thought of them before. It publicized the animal rights movement and the torture the farm animals go through, by getting footage of factory farms on mainstream TV programming, such as the Oprah show. After all, some people who saw that footage, including a student of mine, may go veg or vegan as a result. Perhaps it will convince some vegetarians that eggs and dairy are no more humane than animal flesh and motivate them to go vegan. It proved that today's public is concerned with animal welfare, at least a little bit, when it passed. It opened the door for stronger legislature to eventually get passed. And last but not least, perhaps it will allow a tiny bit more breathing room for the poor animals who suffer needlessly for the gluttonous appetites of the masses.
So to end on a more positive note, thanks to all who voted yes on Prop 2 and encouraged their family and friends and even strangers to do the same. This is a victory, no matter how small! Baby steps, right?
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2 comments:
As an 18 year vegan and long time activist who worked very hard on the Prop 2 campaign for 14 months, I say it is a ground breaking victory! No more battery cages in California. As Wayne Pacelle of the Humane society said at our volunteer celebration, this is a big brick out of the wall of factory farming. This wall is coming down! Ofcorse we would prefer empty cages to bigger cages but this is actually a monumental step in the right direction.
You made good points about the exposure and raised awareness from this campaign. Not only were factroy farmed animals represented on Oprah and Ellen but 4,000 volunteers spoke to thousands of people each, many of whom had never considered the issue at all.
I know 2015 seems long way off, but without this effort, that date would come and nothing would change. The great great grand chickens will stretch thier wings. It seems like a little thing to us but it's a big thing to them. And maybe by then so many people will be vegan that egg farms will be few and far between. Any way kep spreading the good word especialy while the subject is so hot!
Thank you for your comment, Teagen; that makes me feel better about the whole thing.
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