Dynamic Harmlessness: An Open Letter to Jo
Jo,
I have been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for over 13 years. Initially, I had never thought much about the rights of my animal sisters and brothers. I was of the mind that the needs of humanity were primary and that everything else was secondary. Now I am proud to say that I have a change of heart: I have decided to become a vegan.
The process of this change began with my wife introducing me to her feline companion, Geronimo. He has enriched my life and elevated my consciousness in ways unimaginable. Geronimo made me realize that animals and humans are more alike than unlike in that we are able to express happiness, feel sadness, and experience pain. Although Geronimo expanded my purview regarding animals, unfortunately, it was not enough to make me give up eating animal by-products.
However, my moment of enlightenment arrived two days ago after reading the November/December 2002 issue of Adbusters where they compared the suffering of animals to the suffering of Jewish Holocaust victims. But what really etched my mind was the prophetic words I read by Isaac Bashevis Singer that "in relation to animals, all people are Nazis; for the animal, it is an eternal Treblinka." An overwhelming sense of guilt possessed me. My provincialism precluded me from seeing the suffering of animals caused by us. I wanted so much to be absolved of this guilt.
I understand now!
Now that my worldview has changed for the better, I want desperately to act on my understanding. I am ethically compelled to become a vegan and practice "dynamic harmlessness."
Sincerely,
Muata Tchiguka
Illinois
Copyright © 1998-2008 by Jo Stepaniak
All rights reserved.
Nothing on this web site may
be reproduced in any way
without express written permission from the copyright
holder.
|
