The importance of criticism

[Guest guest]

Hello Karen,

 

Thank you for your message. Yes! Let's have " healthy arguments about the

pros and cons " of the various positions. I appreciate that the

supporters and employees of PETA work hard and are trying their best;

criticism of the organization's actions in no way negates those great

qualities of its members and staff. Let's focus on the substance of the

criticism at hand, in this case a questioning of PETA's programs and

policies leading to the killing of non-human animals under their care.

 

I recently wrote about the importance of criticism (see link at the end

of this email) and its role in helping me become a more effective

advocate. A snippet:

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Criticism is valuable because it offers us the choice to face the fears

that we might not choose to face on our own. If we opt to consider the

criticism, we have the opportunity to test and refine our understanding

and thereby develop a stronger, more confident, deeper understanding of

the issues. It helps us pierce the bubble of complacency that forms when

we listen only to opinions that match our own. And it helps us move from

a reactive doing that may be satisfying but not necessarily effective to

a thoughtful, considered action more likely to advance our goals.

-------

 

Criticism isn't always easy to swallow, but if we choose to face it, our

advocacy can emerge the stronger for the challenge. As bell hooks wrote

in the preface to Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center: " Feminist

willingness to change direction when needed has been a major source of

strength and vitality in feminist struggle. That internal critique is

essential to any politics of transformation. "

 

The importance of criticism:

http://loveallbeings.org/blog/the-importance-of-criticism/

 

For those who are genuinely curious why many vegans hate PETA:

http://vegansagainstpeta.blogspot.com/2009/03/now-what.html

 

Victor

 

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Veganism as Anti-Oppression: http://loveallbeings.org/

The Vegan Ideal: http://theveganideal.blogspot.com/