No, this is not that kind of hiatus. I’ll be blogging fairly regularly for at least the next month or so. The hiatus of the title is topical: I’m going to give the subjects of veganism and animal rights a rest for a while. After reading the tone of my own exchange with Amanda below this post, I realize I’m just not in a good place to be a winsome advocate for other creatures.
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I can’t seem to exercise the same degree of calm and irenic thoughtfulness on animal-related issues that I like to think I am able to provide on at least some other topics. Though I’ve been involved in the animal rights community for many years, it’s only recently that I’ve made veganism and AR work a more explicit focus here on this blog. Though my commitment to animal liberation and to veganism is undiminished, I recognize that my feelings are sufficiently intense and my beliefs sufficiently out of the mainstream that I am in danger of alienating a great many people if I continue to write as I have written. (See some of my more recent posts and their comments sections.) I have received private emails from friends and fellow bloggers whom I respect, folks who are a bit concerned by what they see as an increasingly radical public position on my part. One friend, an attorney, has advised me that it’s not wise to be even obliquely supportive on this blog of “direct action” for animal liberation. I have no particular wish for a long interrogation by the FBI about where some of my money goes.
So until at least 2009, no more posts about animals (except, perhaps, some cute stories about chinchillas). No more posts about veganism. Just as I needed to take a year away from posting about abortion, I need some time to rethink how I make the public case for animals and for a plant-based diet. I’m a nice and moderate fellow on so many issues, but somehow, when I write about animals, my inner zealot emerges. I try to sound like Leo Buscaglia, and I come across like Girolamo Savonarola. It’s time to give this particular topic a rest.
And hey, I’m open to taking requests on the usual topics: relationships, gay history, feminism, men in feminism, older men/younger women, Christian faith and gender justice, and so forth. Suggest away, please!
I think this is a wise decision. I hope that when you come back, you’ll share a bit about what it is that makes this issue so much more emotionally “charged” for you.
Let me put it another way: reading your work, I want to be a pro-feminist man. Reading your work, I don’t want to be a vegan. You are indeed much better at making the case for people becoming feminists than becomeing animal rights advocates.
And I always like your relationship advice!
We all have our hot-button issues.
Re: We all have our hot-button issues.
Yeah, mine is U.S. policy towards Latin America. Please don’t get me started on that.
Hugo, as a historian I would think you might have a more nuanced view of Girolamo Savonarola. He was in many ways a good man, with a hatred of exploitation and privilege, and a concern for justice and trying establish the Kingdom here on earth. Although you might disagree with his vision, it’s hard to deny he had tremendous personal courage, as he proved through the manner of his death.
Oh, I have a nuanced view of Savonarola. But his ends and his means didn’t quite congrue, alas. The presence of courage is not proof of other virtues.
I have the same problem discussing child porn and child sex slavery. I lose my cool. Every single time. I can’t seem to help it.
I used to like your posts on veganism. I’ve been trying to cut some meat out slowly, and you were a little inspirational when you shared your views. But now your views seem to create paradoxes in what you write, and that’s not good for any of your causes.
I hope during your hiatus from the subject you can find a way to express your beliefs in ways that make us think and discuss, not just react.
Body acceptance, body integrity and the right of the young to control same instead of being hurt. Body myths, such as who is dirty or odd and why, and the smashing of said myths. Mind acceptance and integrity–the right of introverts not to be made to feel like freaks; the finding of help for folks with ADD and so on. But watch out, on some of these issues I might lose MY cool. All right, this might not be all that close to your usual topics, but this blog does stir up the old brain.
western civilisation
Paul, as Gandhi said, I think western civilization would be a very good idea.
I’m very sorry you’re bowing to the social pressures used to maintain the status-quo. The sad fact is that animals will never find relief until their advocates have the courage to speak the truth.
I understand how your passion is difficult to control. Mine too. I understand you have more to lose than I do - a job, nonvegan friends who don’t value your passionate pursuit of justice for animals, and possibly other valuable things. I am fortunate. I have no job to lose. And i have no friends who don’t admire or appreciate my animal rights advocacy. And most importantly, I don’t live in California now that that terrible law has passed.
What are blogs worth if we can’t write what we think? How free is the US if the academics can’t share their thoughts?
Anyway, your animal advocacy will be missed. Hopefully, not for long.
And most importantly, I don’t live in California now that that terrible law has passed.
??? The proposition currently on the ballot that’s related to farm animals proposes requiring that they not be confined in really small spaces. I remember another proposition passed, a while back, that outlawed sale of horse meat for human consumption. That’s all I can think of; if the legislature’s been passing significant animal-related laws recently, there sure hasn’t been a lot of publicity about it.
FWIW, I really don’t get why this is more of a hot-button issue for Hugo than everything else, but, sometimes we all need to give ourselves a breather from our hot buttons.
Lynn, I’m pretty sure Elaine is referring to AB 2296. Opposed by the Humane Society, Farm Sanctuary, and other moderate animal organizations, ABB 2296 was ostensibly designed to protect those who did research on animals from “terrorism.” It specifically banned the depiction of researchers in literature — so, for example, it is now a crime to protest outside a research facility with a cartoon drawing of a specific scientist. It’s a pretty severe first amendment restriction, and though Schwarzenegger signed it, it will be fought in the courts.
By the way: It is worth noting that no animal researcher has ever been killed in America by animal rights activists. Indeed, animal rights activists in America have never killed a single human being in the course of their work. The ALF has no blood on its hands. Any comparisons to the likes of those anti-abortionists who kill doctors are invalid…
Hugo, I can definitely understand the need to take a few steps back from this if it’s causing you this kind of grief. I too will miss hearing your thoughts on these issues, but I know how big a toll writing about something like this can take - when it feels like every comment and discussion is THE discussion, it can sap your energy away while simultaneously not accomplishing your ends. I’d enjoy hearing your take on the election issues more, especially as we enter the home stretch.
I’m mostly a lurker and I don’t particularly agree with you on this issue, but I still like reading your posts about animal rights issues and veganism too. Usually you do it much more calmly and respectfully than lots of people I know and while I doubt that I’ll ever agree with you on this, it’s nice to read about it in a way that makes me think about it instead of just pissing me off.
But if you feel like you need a break from this topic, it’s your blog and you need to do what you feel is best.
More western civ. please! History 1A&B were by far my favorite classes at PCC.
I am sad that you are leaving this topic Hugo.
I did not agree with you on this issue, but I was not offended by your thoughts.
I wish people could have been more tolerant of your opinions even if they disagreed.
I think people took your comments as some sort of judgement on their life style and got very defensive.