sharing my melancholy

[Guest guest]

I know that I am preaching to the converted here but just wanted to share

my deep sadness and alienation during this time of year. In the past the

holidays did often arrive with these feelings, due to loneliness, longing

for family ties, the passing of time, or some combination of all three. And

some of that persists. However, in recent years the knowledge of the savage

and insensitive brutality perpetrated upon farm animals only serves to

further fuel a profound disconnection from the mainstream of society. I

almost cringe when people at work, with the best of intentions, now wish me

a Happy Thanksgiving. How is that humanly (not to mention humanely)

possible when tens of millions of poor, defenseless creatures are brought

into this world merely as commodities, live out their brief lives in pain,

discomfort, and frustration and then terrorized during their barbaric

slaughter. How can there be any happiness surrounding such a holiday? But

the majority of people around me either don't know or don't want to know.

For knowing means they are part of this cruelty and therefore faced with

making a difficult, conscious choice between what they know to be ethical

and remaining safe and comfortable in their accustomed lifestyle habits and

attitudes.

 

Once the fall arrives I begin to think about the impending outrage

compounded by almost inconceivable numbers, merely to satisfy humans'

trained palates. As the days pass with Thanksgiving and then Christmas on

the horizon thoughts of those unfortunate animals occupy my mind, heart and

spirit with increasing rapidity accompanied by equivalent despondency.

 

I would be interested to hear what do other aware, like-minded, caring and

compassionate persons do to combat being overwhelmed and consumed by these

feelings? Or am I in the minority, even among vegetarians, vegans and

animal advocates? Am I being too sensitive or have I just not yet learned

how to channel these thoughts and feelings. I did attend Farm Sanctuary's

Celebration for the Turkeys this year (my second time) and it was a

wonderful experience, as always. But what about the rest of the year, for

it is not merely the holiday season but every day this mayhem continues

unabated which haunt me. And it is not only knowing what I know but knowing

what others don't know or worse yet don't care to know or do anything about

to stop this needless, seemingly endless travesty. Ignorance in this case

may not necessarily be bliss but it sure keeps one from feeling so much

emotional pain.

 

Ron Landskroner

Oakland