Mark Bekoff: Hope is the Answer When Things are Grim

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.vegetarisme.ch/be/bulletin/2002-02e.htm

 

 

Mark Bekoff: Hope is the Answer When Things are Grim

 

I am a patient and compassionate activist who believes that " getting

my hands dirty, " getting out there and showing people about the

horrible things we do to far too many animals, is the best way to

make long-lasting changes in their hearts and heads (for a wonderful

discussion of the trials and tribulations of activism and also of

its innumerable fruits, see Julia Butterfly Hill's book " The Legacy

of Luna " ). Indifference is deadly. My activism centers on getting

people to think and to tell me why they think, feel, and act the

ways they do. I also am careful not to get too involved debating

opponents over and over again, for this diversionary tactic takes

time and energy away from being pro-creatively active. We only have

a finite amount of energy that can go into different activities. As

an unwavering dreamer and optimist, I often feel victimized by hope.

Nonetheless, it is my passionate dream that changes in attitude and

heart will ultimately bring forth harmony in the relationships

between animals and humans, for nonhuman animals will forever be

competing with humans, their dominant, big-brained, mammalian kin.

Without a doubt, the animals are likely to lose most of these

encounters as humans continue to try to redecorate (manage, control)

nature for their own selfish ends.

 

Activism for animals has also helped me tap into my own spirituality

for there are numerous costs to activism—harassment, intimidation,

humiliation, and frustration—that often become personal. I have felt

the effects of attempts to silence my asking questions about the re-

introduction of Canadian lynx into Colorado as well as my

questioning why dogs had to be killed in physiology courses in

medical school for students to learn about life. (I left a graduate

medical program because I did not want to kill cats or dogs as part

of my education " in the name of science. " I did not want to kill

animals to learn about life and gave up a life-long dream.) Such

assaults made me dig deeply into my heart in my efforts to

understand and to explain to others why I was doing what I was

doing, whether it was organizing protests to save animals or

partaking in candlelight vigils and prayer services for animals who

had been killed. Suffice it to say, compassionate people who push

the envelope can easily engender the wrath of small minds. (I was

once called a " flake " by some of my colleagues for my position on

animal rights. I was flattered and wondered why they were taking the

time to engage a flake—surely they have better things to do with

their valuable time!)

 

One worldview that drives me is that I believe that every individual

counts and that every individual makes a difference. As Margaret

Mead noted: " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed

citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that

ever has. " Creative proactive solutions drenched in deep humility,

compassion, caring, respect, and love need to be developed to deal

with the broad range of problems with which we are currently

confronted. Activism often underlies their formulation and

implementation.

 

My own spirituality and hope are based on a deep drive for a

seamless unity— wholeness, holism, oneness—motivated by compassion,

respect, and love. During my brief tenure on earth as a visitor to

this wondrous planet, I am more than happy to open the door of my

heart to all beings. I am a dreamer and envision a unified peaceable

kingdom—a peaceful kinship—based on respect, compassion,

forgiveness, and love. It is essential to maintain hope when things

are grim. A firm commitment to make this world a better place for

all living beings and a deep belief that a collection of individuals

working together can make a difference is what keeps me going,

forever.

 

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" There is no reason why *most* people cannot be vegetarians or even

vegans.

These diets are far more healthy than those that include animal meat

and they are much more ethical and humane. No one can argue that a

world with less cruelty and more respect, compassion, humility,

grace, and love wouldn't be a better place in which to live and to

raise our children and theirs. "

 

Marc Bekoff to Vegi-Info in December 2001

 

 

Marc Bekoff teaches biology at the University of Colorado. One of

his books is " Strolling With Our Kin: Speaking for and Respecting

Voiceless Animals " - Lantern Books