Monday, August 1, 2011
How change comes about...
Successes in the battle to end slavery in the American South did not come from polite, heartwarming stories about all the happy, free negroes and patient, ego-soothing strokes to those that resisted change. It came out of deep uprising, extended violent clash, and a long history of harsh political struggle and attacks on those who resist change and lawfulness. Ending the deep-seated practice of individuals to neglect and abuse animals and communities to disregard the laws protecting them, will also require unpleasant confrontation. Do not let this dissuade you.
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I hear people justify the way animals are being treated in rural Louisa, because it is the "culture" here. This makes me think about slavery in the South - wasn't that also "culture"? I think most people here agree that it was wrong and had to be changed. Like you said, it took resistance, political struggles, and violence, but this "culture" did change. Likewise the "culture" of animals being chained, starved, and mistreated needs to change. They have no voice, they suffer, and we have a responsibility to step up to the plate to change injustices. Already, I see here resistance to any kind of changes, and I'm not real sure why.
ReplyDeleteI think change is inherently frightening to people. Even something as positive as a move towards humane communities represents change and elicits resistance from those whose comfort lies in disregarding the needs of non-human creatures or whose political power comes from that culture. The path of least resistance is always opposed to change, as change requires conscious thought and effort. In order to bring about change, the adherence to old ways has to be made uncomfortable enough that people are willing to make the effort to change.
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