What I Learned From A Decade Of Torturing Animals
It’s too easy to disconnect from animal suffering — until you can’t anymore
Some months ago, I was engaged in a standoff with a teenager. I was giving a presentation on vegan ethics when they challenged me. “Have you killed an animal, Miss? Back where I came from, we used to hunt all the time. I skinned deer. All these things you have said about animal cruelty, it means nothing to me. I’m just sitting here and laughing. You just don’t know anything about it because you have never killed an animal. Have you killed an animal? Have YOU killed an animal, Miss?”
It had been a grueling day already; with this hostile line of questioning, I was defeated. I mumbled something defensive, packed up, and left.
The young person had implied that I was sheltered and oversensitive, and, had I had the benefit of their hunting experience, I would not be there, trying to convince them to go vegan.
I have dealt with far more difficult questions, so I should have been able to handle this one easily, with some routine platitude. I could have said, “No, and that is not really relevant here,” and moved on.
Something was protecting me from admitting deep regret and sadness. That something…
