Gavin Dingman, an 11-year old from Michigan, killed an albino deer.
Many people are upset about this, with some even making death threats to Gavin.
It is tragic when any healthy animal is killed for “sport” or any other purpose.
And it is tragic that we teach our children that violence is “fun.”
But those non-vegans who are critical of this ought to do some serious self-reflection.
You see, there is no moral difference between what Gavin Dingman did and what any non-vegan supports and participates in.
Our moral schizophrenia where animals are concerned is profound. We have seen it in the context of Michael Vick, Andre Robinson, Kisha Curtis, Mitt Romney, and others. We have seen it in the campaigns that seek to portray groups of “others” as the culprits.
It makes no sense for “animal lovers” to complain about hunting if they are not vegans. There is no morally coherent difference between killing an animal you eat and paying someone else to kill an animal you eat.
So what Gavin Dingman did was tragic. If you agree, then please stop being confused and hypocritical and go vegan. Otherwise, you’re just attacking an 11-year old kid for what you yourself support and do.
And any “animal lover” who makes death threats to anyone is just using animals as an excuse to express their misanthropy.
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If you are not vegan, please go vegan. Veganism is about nonviolence. First and foremost, it’s about nonviolence to other sentient beings. But it’s also about nonviolence to the earth and nonviolence to yourself.
The World is Vegan! If you want it.
Gary L. Francione
Board of Governors Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University
©2014 Gary L. Francione
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