Guest Editor: Katleen Baum - Animal rights activists: the outsiders of the action world?

Posted by: Vicky

The battle against the violations of animal rights its not that evident, even among “green” activist groups of today. If we look at today’s activist groups, we consider it normal for them to be against sexism, racism, capitalism, the consumer society, the army, nuclear energy, environmental pollution, etc. But why isn’t it normal that the activist of today is also a vegetarian or a vegan? Why are animal right activists the outsiders of the action world?

Most of the time, when an individual activist is not being consistent, it is considered quite normal. No harm is done and nobody thinks anything of that. Because living green all the time is difficult: sometimes we have to take the plane, we need a long bath, we buy a Nike football, we take our car to go to our local grocery store,… Everybody ‘understands’ these minor errors, and this activist won’t be judged in any way. However, animal rights activists are scrutinised and judged almost immediately. Just after mentioning the fact that they are vegan, they promptly have to defend themselves: “So you don’t think wearing plastic shoes is polluting?” , “Are you sure all your clothes are fair trade?”, “Why don’t you consider on helping the children in Africa?”, … The shortcomings of the vegan appear to be much worse than those of the non- (vegan) activist.

Moreover, people become angry when we request them to keep their hands of animals, but at the same time, they consider it normal that we are against racism and global warming. It seems nobody knows, or wants to know that all these beliefs and convictions go hand in hand. For example veganism and the environment: “Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, than transportation.” (UN report of 29 november 2006) “Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems and urgent action is required to remedy the situation” (senior UN Food and Agriculture Organization official Henning Steinfeld)

Wouldn’t it be common sense for all the green movements to take on the battle of animal welfare? Wouldn’t it be logical that on a protest against tree-cutting, nobody will eat meat? That on an anti-fascist demonstration, everybody denies the food if it is not vegan, instead of gladly consuming the available ham and cheese sandwiches?

Of course it is very important that an animal rights movement is also against racism, sexism, environmental pollution etc. Also, animal rights magazines should be printed on recycled paper etc. But this won’t be very difficult: it’s hard to even find a veggie that is not “green” or at least trying to be green in every way possible.

With this article, we are not judging. We are merely asking questions, thinking out loud… Maybe you will start asking questions also…

It is our own strong belief in vegetarianism that inspired us doing what we are doing today: we started our online boutique with vegan chic footwear for us green girls! Check out our website at www.georgette-shoes.com or www.georgette.be and enjoy!

Inspired by the article of Erik de Gier in “Ravage Digitaal”

Filed under Animals, Guest editor, Climate change |