1094:
It’s hard to get a debate going on Animal
Rights. We may be busting to tell people
everything we know about the horrors of animal abuse, but others hold strong
views too, so we need to respect their sovereignty of opinion, even when
we reckon they’re of the wrong opinion.
All opinion-holders should be free to say their piece, otherwise we lose
our freedom-of-speech.
There should be clear channels for
airing our views, without fear of being attacked or cut down before we’ve finished
speaking. If, for example, we’re
debating the use of animals, we’re bound to touch on the use of animal products
... which will bring us to eggs and milk and the cruelty behind their
production. Whether we’re discussing
with friends or speaking to an audience of strangers, there’s no point in jumping
the gun, coming on too strong, coming in too quickly, creating a separation
where none’s necessary, with the sort of statement that says “I’m making-it-clear-where-I-stand”. First alarm bells - there’s an
extra-certainty in the voice. Then both voice and message get a bit primal,
coming across as a fear-of-losing-the-argument.
Once there’s the slightest whiff of fear in the room, it’s easily sensed.
It’s the old familiar smell of fear. ‘I am being attacked’. I am being cut
down. Second alarm bells - as soon as we realise we’re no longer on common
ground and things dangerously close to getting personal.
Just at this precise moment it’s
make of break. And if there’s just the teensiest bit of aggro in the air, you
bettcha it’ll be noticed. People (as in all
of us) dig in our heels. We argue-against, if only to save face.
And that’s basically where the
communication channels, between vegans and omnivores, stand at the moment.
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