Pitching to the grown ups

10.

This movement aims to grant animals the right to their own unenslaved lives. It is still a young movement, in the process of formation. It is peopled by passionate and good-hearted activists, who no longer use animals. These people advocate on behalf of the voiceless, and gradually find out (to their horror) what they are up against.

The Movement has made some considerable impact in USA and parts of Europe, but to date it has had less impact in Australia. I like to think we are a more discerning race of people (in this case to our detriment) with greater suspicion of being told what to do and what we should eat. I like to think that you can’t win over Australians with a few slick fundamentalist arguments. We, as a people, are savvy enough to know this is a much bigger matter, a more far-reaching problem than first meets the eye. It involves eating habits, clothing, empathy for animals and the health of the planet. As Australian animal advocates, we might need a more sophisticated approach than our colleagues overseas. It isn’t enough that we merely encourage vegan diets. We have to show our hand more completely, to help people see animals in a different light. We need to encourage them to use their imaginations in order to feel how deeply animals may be suffering and how we humans are suffering too because of the way we treat them.

It’s tricky for the persuading advocate – too much finger wagging and people turn off, too soft a voice and we’re ignored. But it’s not our job to tell intelligent and self-willed people what they should be eating or using. We should encourage them to investigate and become their own judge and jury. Independent adults must be allowed to decide for themselves. Young people too must be given the chance to understand what is going on.