Wild Duck Shooting-- On the Wing

William T. Ranney's oil painting of Wild Duck Shooting -- On the Wing was painted in 1850. It depicts the sport of hunting in 18th century art. In early American colonialism, hunting was common for food. However, it is evident that this painting portrays it as a mere sport. The father and son show "the American spirit." Hunting is seen as a sport that brings a father and son closer to form a strong bond. The dog is a companion to the family and helps gather the kill. The dead ducks in the corner are a prize for the young boy and father. Hunting has always existed since the beginning of time. It is seen between animals, and humans. Animals will kill out of instinct or for protection; humans kill for sport. In America, during the 1800s, hunting for sport was accepted. Today, groups like PETA stand against it. Shooting ducks was a good way for fathers and sons to bond. People still hunt today, but there's limits and restrictions now. The painting well-received in wide audiences; he also made several versions of the same painting. It was also made into several engravings. For it to be well-recieved in masses, shows the mentality of animal rights and emotions in the 1800s. They were objects that could be killed for sport, or perhaps a meal for the family. The dogs is still seen as a companion of man like it was back in the 1800s. The dog looks intently at it's master to quickly please him with the next kill. There seems to be more light on the ducks than the actual people in the painting, almost glorifying the kill. Hunting is still glorified today. The heads of dead animals posted on walls is glorifying murder. Others will defend it as a sport for fun. Regardless, our treatment of animals has remained the same, but the way we think of them as beings has changed.

My Final Paradise

[1] The pasture is an endless sea of green paradise. It is my home; my world. The lake has been my source of life and play pen. The refreshing water brings life to the pasture. The soft dirt under my hooves is relaxing. The quiet breeze across my hide is soothing. Birds fly freely above. This life is wonderful. I can roam the pasture as long as I please, eat all the grass I can, and be with my family. Not a branding iron or electric prod in sight. I live at peace here. In my world I feel no pain. I don’t hurt. I am never lonely. I am never sad. I feel loved here. The man calls me Bessie. He never yells at me, never pushes me, never shocks me, and never hurts me. He is unlike many others. The man shows he cares for me. My life seems wonderful until I wake up from this beautiful dream into my horrible reality.

All I can see is a never-ending sea of cows like me. There is no room to roam free. No space to lie down. My source of water is disgusting. The man here never bothers to clean it for my sake at least. I walk in my own feces, along with everyone else’s that is confined in this small pen. If for some miracle there is an opportunity for me to walk around; it’s difficult. Treading in ankle deep feces is degrading. If the man only knew how atrocious this feels, to be covered in my own waste, he would provide a pasture for us. Wouldn’t he? The horrendous stench in the air causes my nose and eyes to burn. I’m exhausted. Recently, I’ve heard talk that we are going to be killed. The man wouldn’t do that to us after our suffering here in the pen. Or would he? Could he really be this cruel? I wanted to find out for myself to end this curious anxiety. I tried asking other [2] cows, but no one wants to tell me. They all say the same thing. “Does it matter anyways? It will end this tragic life.” I tried asking the man, but all he does is beat me or shock me when I try talking to him. Why is the man evil? After getting nowhere in trying to find out the truth, I feel hopeless. It’s not fair. What gives him the right to kill us? We’ve done nothing wrong. Did I do something to deserve this? Have I angered him? I’ll do anything to make it up for him. I promise I won’t disappoint him anymore. After a couple of days I started to notice the cows in other pens never came back after the man had taken them away. The optimism I had to keep me going was beginning to drain out of me. All this insane cruelty didn’t make sense. Why bother anymore? I’m going to die. Perhaps when I die, I can forever be in my paradise.

On a grim morning the man came with others to my pen. This is it. They opened the gate. It’s happening. The man began shouting at us. He called us worthless stupid animals. I was scared. Where was he taking us? As none of us moved, they pulled out long heavy sticks and ones they called prods. They repeatedly shocked and beat us to get moving. I screamed in pain as the man shocked me while another hit me repeatedly as I couldn’t feel. “Stop!” I yelled. Do they not understand some of us are injured already? Some of us can barely stand, let alone walk. Vicious beings they are. No compassion in their actions. Slowly, we all gradually walk out of the pen into a loud dark box. Is this where I take my last breath? No; we’re just crammed in to be as uncomfortable as ever. I don’t know how long we’re going to be here. I’m starting to worry for some of the others. I know they won’t last longer. They’re depressed, hopeless, and in despair.The loud droning noise of the dark box is a constant reminder [3] of our future death. However, it is a reminder that I am still alive. I lose conscience now and then; hoping to wake up in my paradise. It’s pointless. I try to imagine my amazing world, but nothing. I start to wonder if we will ever leave this box. This is all a cruel game the man is pulling on all of us; it has to be. He enjoys this and wants to see us suffer more. His hate for us is so extreme; he has to push our sanity off the edge. With each passing moment I get more depressed. Will this ever end? I somehow managed to look around me, and I see it—death. Several others had passed out on the floor. I stared at their stiff lifeless bodies wondering how I will die. The sight of my own kind dead on the floor, rotting, makes me sad. Would I die soon? I start to hear the man’s voice again. The loud droning ceases. The door is opened. Relief sets in, but only for a few seconds.

The sun casted rays of scorching light into our eyes. I felt disorientated and fatigued. The ache in my stomach and the intense thirst made me believe I was half insane already. Again, the violent beings would hit and shock us to get off the box. We walked into a huge building. It was dreary, and I had a feeling this would be our last stop. Besides what other ghastly things could they possibly do to us now? This place was new. I hated it. The smell of this new place was awful. I could hear a dull roar coming from the inside. Everyone looked so miserable. We were placed in lines. Then I come back to my senses and my stomach is in knots. The dull roar is clearer now; I could hear the other cows and their blood-curdling screams. Their cries for help were being ignored. I had never heard of cows pleading for their lives so desperately. What could possibly be going on inside to make them shriek like this? A pressure rises in my chest; I can feel my heart race. I have to get out, but how?

Paralyzed by the chaos, I didn’t notice I was being tied by my foot with a chain. Another man is there looking down on me with what looks like a medium slim stick. I look into his eyes, hoping he can at least see my terror and read my cry of help. No sign of sign of mercy. His gaze is cold and blank. It’s as if he has not even there. Not even aware that he is injuring beings. I start to panic. My heart is about to come out of my chest. I see blood on the walls. I try kicking, no use. I try jumping, even worse. Anything I try to do to escape I hurt myself. I feel so helpless. Why can’t I just escape to my paradise right now? Just then, the chain drags me into the air. I’m petrified. I cry. This new place was covered in blood and cows screaming. I desperately wanted to leave, but no hope. I’m in an awkward position, nothing makes sense. Everything that’s down is up. The man approaches me with the slim dagger glistening in the little light there is. He waves it over my neck.

Please! Don’t do it!
[4]
My iris grew in bewilderment as the dark figure approaches my panting heart. The silver dagger is warm with someone else’s blood. Something so elegant, yet so barbaric makes a single cut. A dark red pool of my life poured out at the beast’s whim. The excruciating pain is enough to make me wish I was dead already. Blood gushes out of my neck onto the walls, floor, and his clothes. I gasp for life; I choke. This can’t be. Why must I die this way? I feel him rummaging through my throat and ripping out parts of my body. He’s ruthless. I try begging him to stop, but it’s futile. I am no longer in front of him. I am on the floor bleeding to my death; on the floor bleeding out of my neck, mouth, and nose. I am on the floor struggling to hold onto my life. The pain is unbearable. I can slowly feel my body is starting to let go of life. Everything is becoming dark. I try opening my eyes; but I give up. I’m ready to go to my paradise. I want to stop hurting. I want to stop feeling terrified. I want to feel loved. I want to live.


I found myself in my paradise not too long after the savage act of violence. It feels different, though. Perhaps it’s because I get to stay here and not wake up. I don’t complain at all here. There is no pain, no brutal beasts, and no spine-chilling screams. Fresh blue skies, sweet air, and the infinite sea of green pasture are all I see now. I am at peace.

[5]

Word Count: 1,544

[1]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/visualpurple/VisualVitamins/LushWithCow.jpg
[2]http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww355/cottonsocks08/MEAT%20-%20COWS/Feedlots.jpg
[3]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Stoat_2006/cows.jpg
[4] http://www.alv.org.au/issues/cattle/slaughteredcow.jpg
[5] http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/vero_h/field-1024x768.jpg

Compassion in the West and in the East

Since the dawn of time, humans and animals have always had some kind of relationship. As humans adapted, discovered new principles, learned new ideas, their view on animals changed. Throughout time "beasts have been feared, loved, beaten, caressed, starved, stuffed, and ignored." (338) Animals have been an important part of human life. Our view of them changes and brings new questions to ethics. In Europe around the 18th century, empathy and compassion were not common. It was a time of suffering for human life and love towards another was only seen in the close family, if at all. Humans thought of only themselves or their closed loved ones.
They had the narrow view that "beasts existed only to serve [human] needs." (339) However, later on people began to realize and some accepted the idea that humans and animals were somehow alike. Science was an increasing field that had proved animals and humans are much alike. Primatt stressed "rationality as the dividing line between [humans] and [animals]." (344) I agree with Primatt. Animals and humans are very much alike. Simply take away order and morals from a human and you have a wild animal. The difference that separates humans and animals is the ability to reason. More interest in the relationship with animals and humans sparked awareness.

The awareness of animal cruelty began to increase and groups like SPCA were established. At first not too many people were interested for animal's rights. In fact "every attempt to extend humane legislation encountered resistance and even ridicule, despite abundant evidence of...cruelty." (348) Slowly sympathy for animals was increasing. Better treatment for animals was being encouraged. Religion is also an influence on how we see animals.

In Christianity, one is asked "if you love only those who love you, what reward can you expect?" (371) Now it isn't clear in Christianity how animals should be treated but its ideas can be expanded to include animals. To love others, one will be rewarded or live a better life. To love other beings, such as animals, wouldn't life be more fulfilling? Compassion for other people is what Christianity professes, but compassion for other species can be included. Love for animals is evident in Hinduism. The love they have for the cow should be the love humans have for all animals. They see the cow as "a gift of the gods to the human race." (375) They honor, respect, and demonstrate intense compassion for this animal. Compassion for animals should be embraced by all beings. For people to start doing so, speciesism needs to end.

Ethics

Dr. Minette E. Drumwright talked about why good people find themselves in hard ethical situations. Her two main reasons were moral muteness and moral myopia. Moral muteness was where one chooses to not talk about ethical dilemmas. Moral myopia was where one only sees the ethics in a narrow-minded sense.

Slavery

The PETA display and the statue of MLK were connected to each other because both were against immoral issues. MLK was against racism, which ties back to slavery. African- Americans were thought inferior to the white race because of the stereotype that black slaves were like animals. PETA is against speciesism. Both issues are identical. “Racists violate the principle of equality by giving greater weight to the interests of members of their own race when there is a clash between their interests and the interests of those of another race... Similarly, speciesists allow the interests of their own species to override the greater interests of member of other species.” (280) Slavery happened because of the idea that the color of a human’s skin made them less important than another. This way of thinking was speciesism. When slavery ended the speciesist way of thinking was still there, so racism brewed.

The comparisons of animal cruelty to slavery were disturbing for one to realize, but true. “Slaves were often branded in order to identify them as property…Cows are often branded in order to identify them as property.” (Branded PETA display photo)We came to realize that slaves were human beings with feelings just like us. They were not inferior; they were not beings that did not know the meaning of pain and suffering. Why it that many still can’t realize that animals are not our slaves? They have feelings just like us. They are beings that should not be seen as property. Branding an animal is just as immoral as it was in branding a human being many years ago. “Just as we have progressed beyond the blatantly racist ethic of the era of slavery and colonialism, so we must now progress beyond the speciesist ethic of the era of factory farming, of the use of animals as mere research tools, of whaling, seal hunting, kangaroo slaughter and the destruction of wilderness.”(311G)

As a plantation owner who has become aware of the cruelty the slaves I own have endured, I would take action to end it. Realistically, the mentality a slave owner had of its slaves was that they were seen as objects, property to be exact. However, slaves were what made the profit of the plantation so torturing them will hurt the plantation owner. I would end the abuse. To have ethics in this situation, as a plantation owner to make a good choice they must consider the question: “Can they suffer?” (313) The abuse has been hidden from because I was not there; plantation owners hired people to look after the slaves. Pain in any beings eyes is obvious. Slaves were seen as beasts. In Am I Blue?, the narrator makes the connection with Blue saying “if I had been born into slavery, and my partner had sold or killed, my eyes would have looked like that.” (316B) A human being can see misery in an animal’s eyes; it would be second nature that a human can see misery into another human’s eyes. I would be able to see the suffering in their eyes other than the obvious physical torture and abuse. I’d stop the immoral treatment on the slaves. A sensible person would know that it would be the right thing to do.

MLK said “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Animals are suffering injustice under the hands of humans. We are cruel beings because “man is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain.” (311D) A huge impact needs to be made for animals to have justice, just like a huge impact was made to destroy slavery and bring justice to African Americans. However, it won't happen anytime soon if "secrecy and distancing are...used to protect the very profitable institutionalized cruelty to animals." (Spiegel 334) The plantation owner was hardly around the slaves to witness the abuse. It wasn't until people began to raise awareness that the cruelty inflicted on these people was wrong. As a society we can not distance ourselves from the dilemma at hand or keep it a secret any longer.

Racism/PETA/MLK

PETA's display was right across the statue of MLK. Whether it was pure coincidence or on purpose they chose it to be that way; it still symbolizes the ethical dilemma at hand. MLK was against racism and PETA is against speciesism. Racism and speciesism are the same if it is looked at in a certain way, even though a "comparison to an animal has come to be a slur" in our soceity. (319) Racism is "the idea that one's race is superior and has the right to rule others." (317) Speciesism is "the idea that one's species has the right to rule and use others." (317) Slaves were seen as animals. People that were not African slaves considered themselves superior because of the color of the skin. Which technically is racism within speciesism. The movie Earthlings defines everyone as a habitant of the planet. It does not seperate earthlings into categories like human, animal, mammal, reptile, or beings with reason. Alice Walker summarizes racism and speciesism in her quote saying: "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humant anymore than black people were made for whites or women for men." (314) If all the speciesists and racists considered the world in this perspective, a lot of damage that has happened in society, and that is still occuring, could have been prevented.
Slavery in America was accepted because "the ethic of human domination removed animals from the sphere of humanc concern...[which] legitimized the ill-treatment of humans who were in a supposedly animal condition." (321) The idea of speciesism was grounded into their minds which established racism. Because of our lack of respect for animals, humans were tortured and abused for many years. This racism and speciesism was brewed because of lack of empathy. During the holocaust laws were passed to segregate the Jews which "was necessary to reduce people's understanding of, and empathy for, Jewish people. This way, whatever happened to the Jews was out of the line of people's moral vision." (334)

To completely stop racism, we must completely obliterate specisism. Albert Schweitzer claims "compassion can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to humankind." (311F) Compassion for all beings is what will stop racism and speciesism. Society and humanity need to recognize: "The Earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the Earth. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." (311E) Humans are not superior to animals or to any other human who is different. In the end we are all inhabitants of this planet and need to live together to survive. The concept that humans are better because they can reason and advance in many aspects makes us better than animals needs to become irrelevant. We have come to an era where we need to finally realize we have been wrong. We have been immoral in assuming animals are inferior and that has lead to the idea that other races are inferior to our own.

Martin Luther King's dream was to see America without segregration, and it was accomplished. Leonardo da Vinci believed that "the time will come when people will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men and women." (311C) Perhaps that time will come soon for the sake of the animals and humans alike.