Blog 2- "Meet Your Meat"

by Celyn Albino

As I asked for the DVD “Meet Your Meat” from the desk, I couldn’t help but notice it was from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals- better known as PETA. It was a 13 minute video narrated by Alec Baldwin nonetheless. I was rather surprised at how fidgety I became upon watching the first minute or so when I know myself to stand some pretty gruesome things. The footage was captivating as they went through every animal category. Yet, it still was difficult to watch (but not so much so that I wanted to be a vegetarian). I think it would’ve been more helpful to see ways to be animal friendly but still like to eat meet- the right way. Although I felt relief in finishing the watching the DVD, the reading portion did not censor any truth to what happens to the people.

After reading “Hidden Cost of Cheap Chicken,” it made me more aware that the cruelties go beyond the animals themselves. The issue surrounding feces and proper disposal was appalling. I guess I never realized how that in itself would be a struggle for factories. It’s amazing how much poop can accumulate and how the effects are clear when just entering a cooped up chicken coop. I can’t even imagine the stench that doesn’t linger but is wholly existent! So I can only imagine how detrimental it can be to living near such a place that doesn’t really know how to get rid of the poop. Then hearing that it gets into the ground and water or how it causes serious symptoms to the people and family, is quite sad. There seems to be just as much cruelty taking place with regards to the continuous aftermath of animal cruelty. The cruelty the humans experience may not be as obviously “abusive” or “immoral” but they do defer from enjoying life.

I feel more informed and somewhat hopeful that there is information, research, and changes bound to arise from this entire ordeal but only time can tell how effective these changes will be for everyone- animal and human.

Recommended Readings:

Bunn, Henry T., and Craig B. Stanford, eds. Meat-Eating and Human Evolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.
D’Silva, Joyce, and Jacky Turner, eds. Animals, Ethics, and Trade : The Challenge of Animal Sentience. London: Earthscan, 2006.