I’ve had the documentary, Earthlings, for, near as I can figure, probably a year? And there it “waited” on a makeshift shelf, unopened, since it’s arrival? I know, I suck.
That was, until yesterday, when I, finally, opened, sat, and watched with, what I could well feel was, a look of pure disdain upon my face. If for nothing else than the many ways we humans use non-human animals for nothing more than terribly unnecessary and completely selfish ends.
What could I ever possibly add towards a productive and meaningful “conversation” concerning what I was shown by said film? Absolutely nothing. That’s what…
People need to witness exactly what it is that I couldn’t possibly hope to convey right now. So called “vegetarians” included. And animal rights “vegetarians,” especially.
When refusing to accept, or even acknowledge, it happens doesn’t mean, by the longest stretch of anyone’s small minded imagination, it will ever stop. So I can’t help but feel extreme frustration every time I hear someone speak the words “don’t tell me, I don’t want to know,” “it’s natural/tradition/convenient/needed,” or, the ever more sociopathic, “but meat/milk/eggs just taste good.” When will we learn? It isn’t right.
Not only do we need to acknowledge it goes on, but we, as a species, need to stop such barbarism for—what it truly comes down to is—ourselves;
“[I]f people admit that they have the right to take or endanger the life of living beings for the benefit of many, there will be no limit for their cruelty…”1
Therefore, I pledge to each and every person I know, right here, right now, I will sit with them and watch Earthlings, however many times is necessary, if that’s what it takes, for you to have a chance to witness the real cost of having the abundance of “pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research”2 we know and, apparently, “need” today. Everyone must see this documentary!
“We are Earthlings, make the connection…”3
- 1 Leonard Tolstoy
- 2 “Earthlings” Documentary Website
- 3 Joaquin Phoenix, Earthlings