http://www.gallup.com/poll/183275/say-animals-rights-people.aspx
Animal rights awareness has been increasing in America. With the help of film and news stories, it seems that more Americans have been listening as statistics have been increasing in favor of the animal rights movement. If more celebrities and social media would go on board, as this seems to be the most effective way in our current era, then we will be a step closer to helping solve this issue.
It is encouraging to hear that Americans are leaning towards animal rights attitudes and opinions. I think the point you make about social media, and celebrities being in a position that can help cull out, and proliferate, these attitudes is a great one. It is discouraging, on the other hand, that other forms of mass media are stifle this progress by exploiting the very beings in question. I believe this is done through the heavy advertisement of animal food products on television, and animal skins as accessory material. Is there a way that new media can help make the connection that the animals we want to grant rights to, or liberate, are the same ones we consent to watch being exploited for profit and pleasure?
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised that there is an increasing attention to animal rights especially because of the media's influence as the article discusses. I've seen films like Blackfish and Food Inc. and they definitely did a lot to show me the way animals are treated in a way I had not really known or fully understood before. Also I think the increase could just be that the animal rights movement has gone on for enough time to be gaining more attention and as more people join, the more attention it receives. With all the media going on about animal cruelty, I think it puts us as humans in a space where we are almost required to take a stance on it as it is not at this point in time easy to avoid. Even though some people turn a blind eye, animal rights still shows up in our daily lives in newspapers, commercials, documentaries, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the media would be a great source of advertisement for animal rights. Unfortunately, the consumerism in the U.S. is far too grand to eliminate advertisements for animal products of all kinds. People are socialized to believe that eating animals is perfectly normal and ethical. When people are confronted with the harsh realities of animal mistreatment in numerous facilities, it makes them uncomfortable. If people were watching commercials of animals being murdered or tortured for the benefit of humans, they would probably start feeling more guilty about their own contribution to the perpetual mass genocide of non-human animals.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in regards to celebrities, they should be contributing to causes like animals rights because it also lacks a lot of support. If philanthropists used their money to advertise the atrocities done to animals or to help shut down institutions that exploit animals, it would set an example to the public that animal welfare is a valid and maybe even a "mainstream" idea to be concerned about. More people need to be exposed to the truth in order for any shift in the legal status of animals to change.
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ReplyDeleteAs most American trends happen, anything that a celebrity supports or endorses has the possibility of becoming popular and "trendy" to support. Although following celebrities' ideals because they are a celebrity is a bit silly, it is a powerful tool for making a cause known if they publicize it correctly. In general, people are becoming more aware of where their food comes from and as a result are concerned with the treatment of animals, livestock or not. This being said, actions speak louder than words. It is one thing to say you are aware of the problem and that you care, but it is another to stand up and refuse to buy products made by harming animals or anything tested on animals. It is refreshing and encouraging to know that Americans care about animal rights, but in order to legitimately care, everyone must take action in preventing animal abuse and supporting animal rights.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that social media can be used to help bring awareness to a cause that people really want to impact int the world. We have entered an age where we are able to share thoughts, pictures, and videos quicker than ever before. I agree that animals are definitely in need of more protection, it hurts to see an animal being abused in a video as they are clearly able to express pain, but I'm not too sure where I stand beside that. I find it difficult to be in favor of giving animals the same rights as humans, when not even the entire human population shares the same equal rights. War still exists, and humans kill fell humans that are "different" (religion, beliefs). Even in America, over the past few years the amount of deaths from police brutality has increased due to race issues. We must first address the issues that divide us, before we can help others. The media has been able to share news of these human deaths, but it feels strange to me that an animal's abuse would receive more sympathy a human's death. This only my personal opinion on the topic and don't mean to offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteI feel like although the majority of people are not fully aware of the consequences of factory farming and how it is inhumane to animals we have to recognize that there are many alternatives out there. Vegetarianism is not the only option there are many small farms out there who are choosing to be small and not work for big corporate companies solely for this reason. The meat at Safeway and other large grocery stores is not the only source for our food you can always go to the farmers market or directly to the local farms in your area. If more people begin choosing to support small farmers there will be less money going to these huge corporations and supporting their mistreatment of the animals.
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