The Consequences of New Welfarism

I was recently in one of the two Whole Foods in my area. I passed by the meat counter and I saw the signs about how the animals whose corpses are sold by Whole Foods are so very well treated. I saw people buying “happy” meat.

And I heard a shopper say to an employee that she is so happy that can get meat that is produced “humanely.”

But what should she to think when Peter Singer, the “father of the animal rights movement,” and every corporate animal group–HSUS, PETA, Farm Sanctuary, Mercy for Animals, Compassion Over Killing, Vegan Outreach, etc.–expresses “appreciation and support” for the Whole Foods “happy exploitation” program?

What should she think when Whole Foods receives an award from PETA?

What should she think when Whole Foods CEO John Mackey shows up on the front page of “VegNews”?

That woman clearly cares about animals morally and the “animal movement” has given her a way to do that that allows her to continue to consume animals and feel good about it.

How sad.

*****

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
Professor, Rutgers University

©2013 Gary L. Francione