“Rediscovering the Joy of Meat”

I found this article on one of the blogs I read, Animal Person (she discusses the story here and here), concerning the resurgence of what I call carni-foodieism. In other words, foodies who embrace carnivorous fare. As you might have noticed, the article is entitled, “Rediscovering the Joy of Meat”, and if you would indulge me by actually reading it, you’ll also notice the picture of the former-vege butchers proudly wearing dead animals. The man holding the dead, headless pig is especially revolting to me. So are their smug grins.
But this is not the issue. The issue is the content of the article, and what they (and the author) are trying to say about vegetarianism. The issue is further proof that all those proponents of animal welfarism who claim that vegetarianism will lead to a decrease/cessation of animal use are absolutely all kinds of wrong.

Allow me to explain. Highlighted in the article are the ideas that being a vegetarian used to be the hip, compassionate way–but that now being a “compassionate carnivore” is the new hip way. Thanks to animal welfare reform, people can now feel better about imbibing the dead rotting flesh of a once living, breathing sentient being that had every much of a right to live as you or I do.

But wait, I thought that welfarists say that animal welfarism leads to a decrease/cessation of animal use? Well, my friend, I regret to inform you that you have been misled. The welfare of an animal is what pulls the heartstrings of any omnivore, so when we’re told that the animal is treated well and has a good life we allow this to set our minds at ease. We allow this to justify further (and increased) consumption of those animals that we claimed we were concerned about.

I don’t think I need to get too into the point that, like Animal Person, I think the issue is not the welfare of the animal but the *use* of the animal. Use is abuse. And it’s very easy to reconcile with yourself that you’re doing better “for the animal” by eating organic, free range, grass fed, etc etc animals when you “know” that they are treated well. It’s easy to overlook that last little bit: the animal is still being slaughtered. The animal is still being used.

This is how animal rights needs to be framed. Animal exploitation is wrong–and so are those who think animal welfare will really lead to anything other than more “acceptable” animal exploitation.

I also thought what Animal Person had to say about “Compassionate Carnivores” was pretty good. Her article: Is Compassionate Carnivore an Oxymoron?

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau also has some apt things to say concerning “humane” eating in her article: From Cradle to Grave: The Facts Behind “Humane” Eating. That is, if you’re interested in what she has to say. She is one of my favorite vegans if that means anything, and what she has said (in her podcast) and blogged/written about has helped me to more clearly define my stance on being vegan. Her site: http://www.compassionatecooks.com.