Human + Animal Responsibility

            “The question is not, can they [animals] reason? Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?” The answer, I will state firmly, to this self-evident quote produced by Jeremy Bentham, is without a doubt, yes; any non-human animal is fully capable of enduring any amount of physical pain as to the extent of the reader of this article.

            Let us first consider the question of equality for all beings, human and non-human alike. Equality, in this fashion, has been a much contemplated and polemic topic for more than eighteen-hundred years since the birth of moral and religious text, not excluding the bible, being the most widely misinterpreted on the list. I am absolutely indignant when the Jesus-card trespasses onto the discussion of animal rights. It’s about as ignorant as theologian Thomas Aquinas’ proposition that it is perfectly OK to deliver suffering unto animals, as long as it does not meddle with human prosperity, a value adopted by the Roman Catholic Church. For this reason, I will leave out the presence of religion in my argument.

            Animals are more often than not seen as a lesser being for their lack of intelligence in contrast to a human being’s. In a time, the same ideal was shared by slave-owners towards African Americans and society towards women. Not a single valid reason was given towards that way of thinking. Non-human animals face a dangerously amplified version of that today, and for the most part, have been for a frightening amount of time.

            I am very libertarian in my views so I sleep on the idea that one can do whatever he or she wants so far as it does not interfere with another’s well-being. The unjust treatment of animals dictated by specism (an obscure term we can thank animal-activist Peter Singer for) comes between me and my peace of mind. I believe that every human has a given responsibility towards animals. We are given this responsibility not because we are more dominant than any other creature but because we have the ability to put ourselves in the shoes of another living being, human or animal. Basically, we can empathize. Non-human animals lack that trait and show no sign of displaying it. The lion will stalk her prey without giving it any consideration, in opposition to the notion of the early Native Americans whom gave thanks and reserved a spot of sympathy for their bounty. However, it is below our publicized position to, then, breed animals for the sole purpose of mass producing them for our ravenous appetites. One of America's most overlooked problems is the unnecessary slaughtering of animals. I know how this works.

             In short, the calf is taken from her mother as soon as she’s dry from the womb and taken to a machine to be fed calf starter ration. Also, she is force-fed milk with drugs and antibiotics used to deprive the calf from energy and reduce the amount of energy-sustaining food she must consume. For the next eighteen months she is given processed feed to promote faster growth until she reaches more than twice of 500lbs. From there, she is confined to a crate and drugged to eat an excessive amount of tasteless pellets until her slaughter is ready and waiting. This practice is very much contrary to how steer were bred fifty years ago. With an extended lifespan, they were able and free to graze the land, eat, drink, and live as they please. The number one culprit for this utmost change is profit. And we, the consumers, not only buy into it willingly but excessively. Comedian George Carlin asked us “Have you taken a good look at America lately? It’s composed of one big shopping mall”. The resemblance is so strikingly true that it’s almost frightening to me. Granted, most of Americans are meat-eaters and the way our meat is processed is savage-like, but recently I've witnessed a Burger King distributing meatless hamburgers. Ever since, I've noticed other facilities and local restaurants resorting to the same model.

             I am not writing to promote any specific model of diet. I am writing with the intention to inform anybody with an open heart and mind on the unjust actions burdened on animals and society’s state of affairs on this underrated issue. With the aforementioned assertions, do you think America is genuinely taking heed to our natural responsibility towards animals and their unalienable rights to live, grow, and reproduce, despite us? Let’s take a second look.