Question: How long can we treat the suffering of animals as an inconvenient truth?

​www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/18/how-long-treat-pain-of-animals-inconvenient-truth

This article really spoke to me because I am currently dealing with my own moral struggle when it comes to animals. Before I go into that, let's chat a little about the piece written by Michael Brooks for the Guardian. 

It's becoming increasingly evident with studies upon studies to back it up, that animals are sentient. They feel pain, joy, and fear, recognize faces and learn commands, and most assuredly feel distress. Farm animals are often overlooked when it comes to intelligence or sentience, but the facts are piling up in support of the very opposite of this. Cows are reputably loving and form bonds with friends, nurture other calves, and enjoy music. Chickens can become distressed and feel distress / empathy for others. Octopuses are extremely intelligent as evidence has shown that they can build their own homes, hunt in new ways depending on environment, and allude attack. 

In the article, one of the researchers studying consciousness said she was unable to eat the animals she had studied. Meaning, her discoveries swayed her from further consuming them. She also stated she would never study cows and one can assume, her desire to continue enjoying  beef is likely the reason for this.

​The article also points to the fox, regularly sought after and hunted by hounds with their humans. We have evolved with the fox for millions of years and our cognitive functions are similar. Knowing this, is it not safe to assume that a fox likely feels distress, fear, and uncertainty when being hunted much like we would? 

At the end of the story, the writer says that everyone SHOULD care about animals but that there were doubts that we ever would. 

HERE'S WHAT I THINK AND WHY THIS HITS HOME TO ME. . .

I am a proud Vegetarian of 17 years. There's very few things that have left me feeling as accomplished as my compassion for animals. I absolutely love them and intend to devote my life to them. Now, as I said, I am a Vegetarian which means I still consume dairy / eggs. Dairy and eggs that have come from factory farmed animals, all of which have been tortured, abused, and exploited. I have chosen to ignore the truth about these products because of what I can only call, selfishness.

I made the choice to give up meat and still to this day, the sight of it raw repulses me.  I can appreciate the beauty of a gorgeous plate that may contain a perfectly cooked piece of meat, but that's the foodie in me and in no way do I approve of the meat itself. And yet, 17 years has gone by, I've taken up a job working within a Vegan business, I've seen countless videos exposing the gruesome truths about the dairy / egg industries, and I petition for animals everyday. Where does this leave me? Am I really choosing to ignore the inconvenient truth behind dairy farming? Am I really turning my back on the same animals I claim to fight for?

The quick answer to this question is yes, The long answer is a lot deeper than that. Being aware of the atrocities of these industries and still participating is incredibly selfish. I have always felt guilty and have recently made a conscious effort to swap out dairy for alternatives. For example, I regularly use almond, cashew, and coconut milks for smoothies, cereals, and oatmeals. I have almost cut eggs completely from my diet. I have made an effort and ultimately, that's what's important to me, selfish as it may be.

Also, my being a Vegetarian does not negate all of the hard work I have put into helping animal's voices be heard. It doesn't negate all of the stories I've shared, petitions I've signed, videos I've filmed, and social media shares. What it does suggest however, is that the writer of this article is pretty accurate in his assumption. We are deliberately ignoring the truth behind animal suffering.

I am choosing to ignore an inconvenient truth about animal suffering. People who eat meat, often times choose not to learn more about where there meat comes from. They couldn't tell you a thing about animal sentience and some have even lashed out at the thought of caring about animals. The reality is, they're being incredibly selfish. Are there different degrees of being selfish? Sure, but at the end of the day, it's all the same.

What are your thoughts? Despite the rise in Vegan and Vegetarian lifestyles, do you foresee the world coming around or will things continue down the path they're currently on?

HAPPY VEG