1442:
The eternal question for
animal rights activists is how to touch people's hearts. It sometimes seems impossible to find a way to
make an impression, and as each of our attempts fail, it seems that the
disillusioned activist becomes ever more desperate.
Scarcely able to conceal our
rage, whatever we say comes across as an aggressively, 'why-won’t-you-listen',
'why don't you ever understand' approach. And this isn't a good look. People are put off by it, and what ever
goodwill they might have had disappears when they see how ugly we seem
to be, when we are shaking our fists and waiving our angry placards at them.
This hostile, accusing
approach plays right into the hands of our detractors. The authorities are pleased to label animal
activists as agitators or even, if there’s violence, terrorists.
We might mean well, by trying
to ignite a sense of responsibility in people, but if it were done more subtly
it might be more effective. I'm reminded
of the frustration of the class room teacher, ranting about inattentive
students, who is boring the kids and shouting, “Yes, I’m talking to YOU!!!”.
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