Not long ago, and even today in some places, people who were considered “inferior” were locked up, enslaved and killed, just because they didn’t belong to the same group as their oppressors. Nowadays, most of us are horrified by these practices and relieved that many of them are relegated to a dreadful memory. But we rarely think more deeply about the issue and realise that, for many more than we think, that horror is far from over. Every year, hundreds of millions of animals are locked up, tortured and killed for many purposes, including the production of clothes.
Many people try to dismiss this comparison between human and animal slavery and accuse it of being exaggerated or even insulting. But is it really so outrageous? Let us have a look at the facts: both humans and cows, for example, can experience pleasure, satisfaction, pain and distress. So both have an interest in living, doing so in freedom, without being subjected to suffering. Having such interests is a sufficient reason for others to be duty bound to consider them. Someone’s race, social group, sex or species shouldn’t be a reason to discriminate against him or her.
Certain humans used to be considered “inferior” – indeed, some still are – and this is certainly the case for non-human animals. For this reason, it is seen as perfectly justifiable to exploit them. It might be true that some humans have intellectual capacities that others – both human and non-human – don’t have. But this doesn’t mean that their interests are any more important.
When it comes to enslaving, imprisoning or killing another being, the only thing that matters is the capacity of that being to experience pain and joy, not his or her intellectual skills.
Their skin is their life
Millions of cows and other animals are used as resources to produce leather clothes, shoes or sofas every year. Many argue that the cow would be killed in any case for meat, which would make leather a by-product. It is obviously necessary to stop eating animals in order to respect their lives and well-being. But this aside, we also have to take into account that the skin of a cow represents a very significant part of her “economic value”. This refutes the idea that leather is a by-product. Actually, it is a considerable source of profit, something which financially supports the breeding and killing of these animals.
Drop down
Ducks and geese are used to produce down and feathers, which are pulled off their bodies. Apart from this distressing experience, these animals have their freedom curtailed in order for them to be “available” for use. And, as many others animals utilised as raw material for humans, in the end they are killed in the slaughterhouse.
Reptiles, such as crocodiles or snakes, are captured and killed for making boots, handbags and jackets. Obviously, their lives matter to them much more than a pair of boots or a coat matter to any of us. Many people consider these animals “ugly”, but their lives are just as valuable to them as ours are to us.
Wool’s not cool
Sheep are victims in this way too. They are violently held, tied up and sheared in order to obtain their wool. They are terribly scared during this procedure, and often their skin is wounded. Many die from exposure during the winter, and those who survive this will all end their lives in the slaughterhouse.
Although fur production has declined over the last decades and fur farming has been banned in some countries, millions of animals still suffer confinement and are put to death for their pelts. Many others, like wolves, foxes and mink, are trapped in the wild. Fur coats are often considered “worse” than leather clothes for being a “luxury” product, but for the animals themselves, the actual price tag we put on their lives is irrelevant – they just want to live.
It is time we realised that belonging to a species, just as belonging to a race or ethnic group, is no reason to ignore that individual’s interests. If someone can experience suffering and joy, he or she is, by definition, a “sentient being”, not a “garment”. We don’t live in caves anymore and we have ways to produce clothes without needing to kill someone. Just go to your local store and take a look at the labels on shoes and other clothes. You’ll be amazed at the number that don’t include any animal products! Cotton, polyester, nylon, lycra, etc. make perfect clothes without the need to subdue, brutalise and kill animals. Enjoy your shopping and respect the lives of others!