Ethos

I would like to call your attention to an important website and media service, DawnWatch (http://www.dawnwatch.com/). DawnWatch sends out media alerts and editorial analysis of breaking news regarding companion, farm and research animals. DawnWatch has been particularly active during the last few weeks in tracking the animal dimensions of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

Karen Dawn is a journalist and the founder of this animal advocacy media-watch website. Her choice of alerts and mode of analysis is informed by her commitments to animal rights and veganism. Karen’s bio describes the emergence of her commitment to animals as follows.

‘Living in New York in the 1990s, Karen worked every Sunday for six years at the Saint Francis of Xavier soup kitchen. But after reading [Peter Singer's] Animal Liberation in 1998, she was moved to devote herself to helping those most abused by society and least able to help themselves — members of other species. Drawing on her knowledge of the media, she founded DawnWatch in November 1999. You’ll find an interview with her in which she talks about the events that led up to its launch on the Animals Voice website.

The soup kitchen story is important. Like many other animal advocates, Karen’s concern for animals is rooted in an allied concern for people. She strives to live a life of compassion and integrity. This is worth remembering the next time you hear someone characterize all animal advocates as misanthropic. There is no necessary conflict between caring for the well-being of people, animals and nature. We shouldn’t be taken in by ideologues offering false choices.

Karen is also praised and criticized for her refusal to condemn confrontational tactics and direct action in the animal rights movement. This is an important issue, since some organizations and political figures are trading on the fear of global terrorism in order to make animal and environmental protection illegal. To do so will allow the violent suppression of two movements for social change that are overwhelmingly nonviolent. It will also allow academia, industry and government to abuse animals and nature with little regard for ethics or public oversight. At the same time, we should be concerned with justifications of violence against people and property. Such justification can easily lead to tragic consequences and counterproductive actions. Moreover, a victory won through moral-poltical argument and organizing is more stable than short-term and violent disruptions of the status quo. Before jumping to a conclusion on all of this, please have a look at her work, and the news she is commenting on.

Whatever your opinion on these issues, Karen Dawn’s service is thought-provoking and you may find her website and e-notifications useful.

Cheers, Bill

William Lynn :: Sep.11.2005 :: Animal Studies, Ethics :: No Comments »