Today I came across this photo on Face Book. It stirred up many thoughts in my mind I let myself consider it for some time as I planted seeds in the garden. I was amazed at what strong emotions it stirred up. I had to wonder why was I feeling like this and what did it mean.
Reflecting on it further and investigating each reason a little deeper as they arose this is what I was left with.
As human beings we see something and on some level we relate to it, we then choose to share it and pass along the message. Most times it something that we either agree with on a very high level or we disagree with very strongly, it seems as those that are somewhere in between can just leave it be and it dose not affect them.
I wonder if we stop to think about the realities of the messages that we are sending out and passing on. How they have the ability to affect others, both in a positive or a negative way? Do we think about the messages on a deeper level or do they just touch the surface and then we never give it any further thought?
In the attached photo we see a group of young children; they look like they may be of African decent. They appear happy, well dressed and thriving. In the foreground we see a young Caucasian man, holding a hunk of meat and smiling. It then goes on to say GO VEGAN AND SAVE 800 MILLION STARVING PEOPLE
As most of you may know we own and operate a farm. We raise pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys and produce. What most of you do not know is that for myself I choose a Raw Food Diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. So now you can understand that the word "VEGAN" here does not bother me in any way shape or form.
What bothers me is the message it is potentially sending out.
*How do we think the people in what we consider to be "Less Fortunate" countries would feel being depicted this way?
*What gives us the right to attach the word "starving" to them?
*Do we want them to change their life style to match ours?
*How many of them do you truly think would trade places with you?
*How many of us have had the opportunity to visit them and recognize that what we consider to be starving and poor is a life to them that is filled with joy and abundance? As one man stated to us when we were on holidays and had him give us a private tour, "You all think we are poor, there is nothing that we go without. It is about family and food and that’s it" Wow those were words that I felt very lucky to hear and realized as North Americans it is our ego that makes us compare them to us.
Now the message that it actually states .
"For the feed costs of that steak, 50 of these children’s bowls could be filled with cooked cereal grains".
Now what we are implying is that all beef is raised and cared for in the same manor.
We are indicating that because of those people that choose to eat meat, others are starving.
I think this is a very unfair message regardless of if we eat meat or don't.
I wonder what the calculations would look like if we changed the statement to say.
*For the fossil fuel costs of that dress, __ of these children’s bowls could be filled with cooked cereal grains.
*For the costs of that bottle of wine, __ of these children’s bowls could be filled with cooked cereal grains.
*For the health related costs of that cigarette, __ of these children’s bowls could be filled with cooked cereal grains.
*For the costs of that fitness membership, __ of these children’s bowls could be filled with cooked cereal grains.
Would the message be the same? Would people think about it the same way? Would we give it any thought at all?
Are we just feeding our own needs to feel like we are doing something that matters? I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, but I do think that it is something worth thinking about.
As people we all share a tremendous amount of power. We have the power of suggestion, the power of criticism, the power of positivity and the power of negativity.
I wonder if we realize the impact we have on the world by the messages we send.
GO VEGAN AND SAVE 800 MILLION STARVING PEOPLE - Cornell University research has revealed that because beef cattle eat 16 pounds of grain for every pound of meat produced...