Own It.
Lauren Breuer
De O'I
I want to know why animals are still used in fashion. Why is it something that people think they need or can really use, when we have so many other options, and in fact, the want is not a need. Animals suffer at the expense of human wants and it’s a blinding perspective when we brainwash society into thinking that how the animal parts that are derived, are humane. How can killing someone be humane? Are they in hospice? Are you euthanizing them? No.
The animals in many industries, but specifically speaking to fashion suffer immensely. Compare our rights, to those of animals.
ETHICALLY EXPOSED
I totally acknowledge the level of our intelligence compared to theirs, however, with this “astounding” intelligence that we have, why do we disregard the lives of others? If we are as smart as it is claimed, then we should know better and recognize the pain and suffering that we cause as consumers. We demonize certain animals and make them seem so less than us, “justifying” how we treat them, why?
Why are we under the impression that we need animals alongside us to be fashionable, successful and have a high status?
Ways and practices of the past remain in the past, when society evolves, the practices need to follow as well. Are humans in thriving cities all throughout the world hunting for food like they used to in the old times? No, they go to grocery stores and pick their already pre-cut chicken, cow, fish, etc. So, it is very difficult for me to understand the perspective of the ones who use animals for profit, fashion and status?
Do these people disregard the animals because they are selfish? Is it because they simply don’t care? Or is it because their greed is much stronger than their values and/or ethics?
Either and any way, it is and cannot be justified based on the humane way we speak about the loving and nurturing aspect of animals. But for some reason, all of the nurturing and love goes away when it comes to food, fashion, cosmetics, etc. People forget that cow = steak, pork = pig, and they pass these terms onto children subconsciously blinding them to the fact that these animals suffered just so they could have a meal that more commonly than ever, was just for enjoyment, not a necessity. If you showed a baby how chicken nuggets were made, do you believe they wouldn’t cry? If a toddler was shown how leather was made, do you think they wouldn’t cry? Do you believe that children are born without a heart, or mercy? Because the honest answer is no. They are scared and terrified of the thought of killing another being.
And it is traumatizing to see such a process, knowing that all animals form bonds with one another.
Additionally, people are always up in arms about racism, but they never fail disregard speciesism. There is a double standard set for beings other than humans. Someone claims that they don’t get the job because they are a person of color, yet animals don’t
get to live because they are not human.
Read between the lines and start using your voice for something that can help others live. If you don’t get the job, apply for another, and recognize that it is the company’s loss that they didn’t hire you. Life is full of hardships, and we all face them, but it isn’t every day that we are being slaughtered and killed for our flesh and bones. Animals are in that position, and we don’t do anything about it, because for some damn reason, people value their love of taste or fashion, over the life of another being. There are tons of monsters in the world, they are everywhere you go, but look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are one of them, because if you buy “meat,” fur, leather, etc., you are a part of a long list of problems, aside from the mass killing of millions of animals. Own it.