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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Whole Hog Fundraiser August 12, 2014 By Dr. Patricia Tallman I live in a municipality that has a high farming presence. Unfortunately, some of that "farming" refers to animals. This area is also home to many evangelical Christian groups. These two factors make the promotion of a vegan lifestyle an upstream battle. My goal is to educate through repetition of the vegan message when opportunities arise. A couple of weeks ago, a fundraiser to be held at an organic farm was advertised with description of a bucolic atmosphere reminiscent of country living. Reading the description of the event lulls the subconscious into a state of reverie. It talked about the foraging of vegetables on the farm as part of the feast preparation. However, central to this event was the "main courses" which would feature various parts of a hog, in fact, it stressed that the entire hog will be featured, as if this is somehow an admirable trait. After the event, there was a write-up on the "success" of the whole hog event; how it was sold out for the long table feast, with guests enjoying the surrounding entertainment and music. I wrote in with the following comments to put the message of unnecessary killing front and center, and that it's not to be celebrated, but to question our moral ethics, and give people an alternate perspective on farmed animals. It's disappointing the editor gave it such a negative title: I was not offended, but disheartened. At least, 40,000 people got the paper, and if even half of them read the letter, 20,000 people would have been exposed to the message of "compassion, based on science and ethics". I invited the uninitiated to join one of our Langley Herbivores potluck - hah! Carmina Gooch wrote to the Langley Advance regarding the inappropriateness of the letter caption: Hog feast offends vegan. Whether the letter-writer is vegan or not, is immaterial. Veganism is the future and it’s the only choice that aligns one’s values — the opposition to cruelty and killing — with one’s actions. It was published on August 20th. Letter: Fundraising and slaughter incompatible August 20, 2014 Langley Advance Dear Editor, How can the exploitation, suffering, and slaughter of animal life be part of a fundraising event [Senses go hog wild at Langley fundraiser, Aug. 7, Langley Advance]? I find the idea totally insensitive and repugnant. While consuming animal products has been ingrained into us, many people are now shunning cruelty and opting for healthier, ethical lifestyles. Patricia Tallman pointed this out eloquently [Hog feast offends vegan, Aug. 12 Letters, Langley Advance]. I found the editor’s title choice offensive and inappropriate. What’s next? “Hog feast offends Muslim?” Carmina Gooch, North Vancouver © Langley Advance August 20, 2014 Letter: Courage faces down church group's charity event |