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| The circus is unnatural entertainment (public domain photo) |
My whole outlook has changed since
going vegan. Rather than just taking things at face value, I look for
the deeper consequences. For instance, I will not be participating in
the ALS ice bucket challenge or contributing to that organization.
Why? Because they do animal testing and not the mild kind, if there
is such a thing. That's not all, though.
Rodeos/Horseback riding
This past summer I attended a rodeo in
Deer Trail, Colorado. It was a big deal. Not only is it the home of
the world's first rodeo, it's the home of my partner's grandparents.
He went to high school there. The rodeo is a big part of the town's
identity. Unfortunately, as we watched the cowboys flip the little
calves around with no thought to their discomfort, we got a sick
feeling in our stomachs. We also noticed the curving of the horses
backs when the saddles were taken off. Curving caused by years of
being ridden and ridden hard. We won't be going to any more rodeos.
Ranches/Farms
Doesn't it sound fun to have a working
vacation at a farm or ranch. I used to think so. That was before I
learned the extent to which we use and abuse the animals raised for
food, clothing and more. It was before I learned that the meat and
dairy industry is the biggest polluter on the planet. It was before I
realized that a meat and dairy based diet wastes tons of water and
grain and contributes to world hunger.
4-H Clubs
You know those cute little bunnies,
calves and sheep with the blue ribbons? Do you know what happens to
them after they get their prize? I do. The blue ribbons indicate
their superior flavor. What's really sad is when the 4-H kids that
raise them have to give them up to be sold for slaughter. It's very
traumatic for them. Many of them cry. Some try their best to convince
their folks to keep them as pets. They love these animals. How on
earth is this a wholesome way to raise your kids?
Zoos
I used to take my kids to the Zoo all
the time when they were young. I thought it was wholesome family
entertainment. They got to see other animals up close that they
wouldn't normally see here in the U.S. I thought it was a good
educational experience for them. Even then, though, it bothered me
the way the caged gorillas looked at me as I peered into their cage
and their lives. Now, as a vegan, I don't go to zoos at all. Doing so
would feel so wrong. I don't want to pay for other animals to be
caged or take away their personal freedom. There's nothing wholesome
about that.
Circuses
Circuses are even worse than zoos where
the animals are concerned. Do you really think it's wholesome or
natural to train other animals to entertain us? Zoos have been known
to abuse animals in order to “train” them to do ridiculous
things. Bears have their feet strapped to bicycles until they learn
to ride. How many times do you suppose they fall and hurt themselves
before they perfect this skill? Elephants are whipped when they don't
perform well. Young animals are taken from their mothers at an early
age to join the circus, just as young male calves are taken from
their mothers and slaughtered as veal.
My entertainment is hardly worth all
this.
I can live without the zoo, circus,
rodeo, etc. if means I save another creature from the misery that
comes with captivity. Some might argue that they treat their animals
well. That's just the thing, though. Other animals are not ours to
use and abuse. They're not ours to keep. They don't belong to us.
They are individuals just like we are. They have feelings and
families and rights. I'm glad that as a vegan, I have discovered the
consequences of my actions are just as important as the actions
themselves. Look below the surface, my friends. Even if you're not
vegan, think about the form of entertainment you choose and how it
impacts others. Have a heart.
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