A blatant act of "Speciesism"

Speciesism - the assumption of human superiority leading to the exploitation of animals. This is the definition that comes up, if you type in the word 'speciesism' on google. I would say that the majority of human beings on this planet are speciesists. If you believe this to be untrue of yourself, then I salute and thank you. If you are however, by definition a speciesist, then I suggest you look hard into your soul, and ask why you believe yourself to be more inferior to the other living beings on this planet? We may walk on two legs instead of four, and speak a different language than other non-human animals, but we have a lot in common. We both need air and water to survive.  Not to mention that we are all living 'sentient' beings with the ability to feel pain, fear violence, and are highly aware of the world around us.

The mere fact that someone could willingly exploit or hurt, or even kill an animal for monetary gain, or for mere dominance and pleasure is truly beyond words. Three weeks ago, I was driving in my car and saw a bunny jump out and cross into heavy traffic. I started shouting in my car, as I was completely helpless to stop a possible accident from occurring. Unfortunately, the bunny was run-over by a massive truck, and the car that followed. I jumped out of my car and moved to the middle of the road where the bunny was lying. As I got close to her, I could see that she was completely immobile, and convulsing uncontrollably. The pain and suffering that she was going through was absolutely horrifying. I knelt down beside her and told her that she was going to be okay. Unfortunately, three agonizing minutes later, and her poor heart beat for the last time. This was by far, one of the saddest things I've ever witnessed. Vehicle after vehicle went by, and not one stopped to see if this poor bunny was okay, or still alive. I felt a huge sense of sadness and shame. The mere fact that this innocent being lost her life in an horrendous manner, and not one person had the decency or empathy to even stop for a minute to see if she was okay; made me sick to my stomach. If this was a human being lying in the middle of the road, every vehicle would of stopped. This is the outrageous double standard, and hypocrisy that is extremely prevalent in our society. Ever since I became an activist, I've started to form a deep hatred toward my own species. That's not to say that I don't care about people; because I do. I just see human beings as whole, in an extremely different light than I did before I took off the blinders, and really started to see with my own eyes what was happening to this planet and all of it's inhabitants.

Initially, I thought that the driver of the truck whom ran-over the helpless bunny, did so by accident. However, my opinion changed soon after. I thought that maybe the driver didn't see the bunny until it was too late. But if I was able to see her from the other side of the road, then they for sure saw her. As did the other vehicles that passed by right after the bunny had initially been hit, and was lying in the middle of the road. Even for some off chance that they didn't see her; they sure would of felt the impact of running over her stark white body. As this innocent life left this world, I went into my car and just glared out the window. My mind was racing, and I needed a few minutes to take in everything that had just happened. As I glared out the window, all I could think about was how beautiful and free this bunny was just minutes ago. And now she was gone, and regulated to the human term 'road kill'. (How sad it is that we as a species label dead animals with this audacious term) As I went to move her body from the road to the grass across the street; she was gone. I was in complete disbelief as to what had happened to her. I looked in every which direction, until I noticed that three magpies had moved her to a small section of grass on the lot of an auto body repair shop, and were now feeding upon her lifeless body. Unfortunately, nature can be cruel, and so can the nature of human beings.

I will never forget this beautiful being who left too soon.

Please remember that when driving a vehicle, to look out for wildlife crossing the road. We share this planet with a countless number of other species of animals who don't follow the same rules of the road as we do. It's our duty to do our best to avoid these innocent and beautiful beings. I hope that one day man and animals can share this planet in peace and harmony.


"The idea that some lives matter less, is the root of all that is wrong with the world".  -Unknown

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.


Damian


Note: All photos below are from various internet sources. I do not own the copyright of these photos. I've saved them on my computer over the year. These are photos that represent speciesism, explicit cruelty, heartbreak, and the ability of animals to feel and show empathy.
Warning some photos below are graphic.

(The public death of Marius the giraffe at Copenhagen Zoo) 

(The barbaric slaughter of Pilot whales in the Faroe Islands)