Will 2008 Bring an Animal Rights Movement?

The ocean was smooth as glass this morning, and of course I didn't have my camera. People had slept on the beach and were watching the sunrise, bringing in the new year in virtual silence, with the only sounds being the dozens of pelicans flying overhead in formation.

I was thinking about how pleased I was to see 2007 gone (it was rubbish) and what I wanted for 2008. Among my list was the formation of a strong, sustainable animal rights movement. I've been e-mailing a bunch of people for a couple of months, all of whom asked my opinion about this topic, and I'm honored. I'd like to begin a more-public discussion about the best way to develop the kind of movement we can be proud to say we're members of.

When I think about a national or international organization, I ask myself: What would it do? I suppose it could create and distribute literature in various languages. There'd be a template of issues and concepts that are the same everywhere, and each country or city or state could customize from there. This larger group could also have an advisory council of some sort that helps individuals start local organizations and develop their goals, objectives, outcomes, indicators, etc.... And of course, an evaluation plan.

When I think about small, grassroots groups, I think more about campaigns that are relevant to the area. Like Galgos or Greyhounds or rodeos or bullfighting: issues that are doable. Spay/neuter, TNR, getting restaurants to offer vegan entrees, all could be part of the activities. Of course there's always setting the stage for issues that are not doable in a short time, and have to start somewhere (i.e., with raising awareness).

Vegan education is of utmost importance, as (for me) is the constant reminder of the power of supply and demand.

There's plenty of talk in the blogosphere about the reality that there is no animal rights movement. But I don't see a lot of talk about solutions. If I had my druthers, an animal rights movement wouldn't focus on the pitfalls of welfare because welfare has a completely different premise and goal. Welfarists have indeed achieved some victories according to their values, and to judge them through a lens of animal rights isn't fair.

One thing I learned during my doctoral study regarding assessment and evaluation (my specialty) is that you can't punish someone (e.g., lower their score/grade) for not writing what you would have written. You must evaluate according to the assignment (the mission, if you will). Abolitionists cannot evaluate the actions of welfarists according to mission and values of abolition. So let's call it a day, and stop obsessing.

An animal rights movement would need the following (much of which it has, it's just not a movement yet):

• mission
• values
• goals/objectives
• timeline for activities
• evaluation plan
• marketing/outreach
• creation and distribution of literature
• if there's fundraising, what's it for?
• if there's fundraising, how's it getting done?
• what kind of governance does the movement have?
• is there communication among smaller groups and between them and the larger group, if there is one, and what does all that look like?

This isn't all going to happen most efficiently and effectively organically. It can happen organically, don't get me wrong, but that's not optimal. Intention is a far better architect than accident, in most cases.

What do you all think? What do you want for animal rights in 2008?

Comments

[ari]

Happy New Year! What I'd like to see the animal rights movement (such as it is - I do think we have one, otherwise, who are we and what are we doing here?) do in 2008 is make allies. We spend a lot of time dissing people in our own movement - who wants to join that? People love animals and they know in their hearts that to cause pain to those who are weaker than we are is to do wrong. We need to figure out how to package our message so that folks can get involved on many levels without fear of judgement. We need to encourage compassion, not demand immediate perfection.

As for whether we can do this in some kind of organized, planned way, I'm doubtful. I think what we need is a culture shift, and the idea of some giant organization somehow determining the goals of that new culture and then administering its creation sounds rather monothithic and dangerous to me. But then, I'm not into hierarchy. I feel we can all be the change right now and encourage others to do the same, without a big organization there to tell us what to do.

[Mary Martin]

Ari,
I completely agree that we need a culture shift. And I'm not calling for some giant organization determining the goals of that new culture, as you say, I'm calling for individuals to come together and develop initiatives. No one has to follow anyone, and I'm not a hierarchy person either, and I too can be the change, but from what I see, that's not enough. We clearly do need guidance an organization, which shouldn't be confused with someone telling us what to do.

As I say, I wonder about the utility of the larger, proposed group. Other than streamlining some production and distribution issues, what would it do? That's why I ponder an advisory council.

Don't think of it as restrictive, think of it as expansive. Maybe what's needed is a paradigm shift about what a larger organization CAN do.

[Greenie]

I disagree Ari, I think we do need some organisation. I don't think as individuals acting on our own we have the ability to create societal change. The way animal rights will be accepted and acted upon is if it is seen as part of the mainstream. Vegans being seen as an extreme fringe group will never help our cause. The animal rights movement needs some coherent and united front to promote to the public and the media that veganism is not "crazy" and is in fact what will be best for human health, non human animals and the life of this planet. All the great social revolutions had united organisation. Humans like to be "like everyone else" most people wanted to feel part of the group. When a new group pushes the boundries of the status quo, has a united message and organistaion, then this is when change starts to happen and when the message of the group slowly becomes incorporated into mainstream thinking.

[Ari Moore]

I hear you, but I disagree with the assertion that "all the great social revolutions had united organisation." Look at the anarchistic, broad-based direct democracy movement (no leaders! pointedly!) coming out of Argentina, or the push-pull of vastly different groups and strategies that moved the American Civil Rights movement forward. Our diversity can be our strength, if we focus on our ideals and our ethics instead of tearing each other down for not being ideologically united.

[Pablo Fernandez-Beri]

Hi,

I'm reading this entry about a year after it was published, but it's excellent.

As a follower of the Abolitionist Approach, I also believe an (actual) Animal Rights organisation should exist.

On the other hand, I also believe in Prof. Francione's plea not to rest our efforts in large organisations.

So far, I think Prof. Francione is a reference big enough. Just we must have our eyes open as abolitionists in order to watch for any "suspicious" movement.

I've added your blog to mine's faves blog list.

Cheers,

Pablo
www.AbolitionOfSpeciesism.tk

[Bea Elliott]

I too think this is an excellent entry. Oddly, it was made a year to the day that I became vegan. No, there was no "resolution"... however there was a nasty little video that was revealed to me on Dec 31st... and so my life forever changed.

When all this became aware to me - I wanted desperately to find an "organization" which had a mission to end what I knew was wrong. And I've been looking ever since.

I think sometimes... the best solution for cultural change is in the political rhelm. Maybe how we have to unite for Animal Rights is to incorporate it under a banner of bio-sphere rights? Something quite in line with the Green Party:

"We reject the belief that our species is the center of the world, and that other life forms exist only for our use and enjoyment. Our species does not have the right to exploit and inflict violence on other animals simply because we have the desire and power to do so. Our ethic upholds not only the value of biological diversity and the integrity and continuity of species, but also the value of individual lives and the interest of individual animals."

http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/draft/work/animalrights-FL-amends.html

Yes, I think the political arena is where it needs to develop next. As disappointing as Sunstein's utilitarian approach is... still, he's opening the lines of communication. And Mr. Kucinich might not empty the cages either... but a vegan congressman - is at least a start.

I also think the strategy behind the thinking of Norm Phelps followers is true too... that it has to be changed withing the religious communities. Good luck there.

Or is it just as simple as urging a community to raise better kids - kids that are compassionate, and free thinkers? Who don't resist change because of tradition, convenience or profit?

But it seems I may have more questions than answers on how to proceed... a year later. BTW Happy (belated) New Year.