A Picture’s Worth
It was during my graduate studies at Georgetown that I first read an essay by Roland Barthes entitled “The Death of the Author.” It was a liberating experience for me because it snapped something very important into focus early on in my own writing life: at the end of the day, I would hand over whatever I’d written – whatever I’d intended to write or thought I’d written – and, out of my own metaphorical death, a reader would be born. The reader would infuse my work with meaning, some kind of distillation of his/her own experiences and proclivities. Multiple perspectives open the door for multiple meanings, and that’s when the fun starts.
I’m interested in the layers of context a word or image can have for a single person. I’m interested in the interplay between one individual’s multi-layered experience of something and another person’s equally complex experiential process. These spontaneous, often fleeting intersections of perspectives are happening all around us, every day — collisions of energy and past, present, and future.
For any photograph I’ve taken, I easily could wrap a story around it — the sounds, the smells, how I got there, what was happening in my life at the time, who was with me, and the impact such details had on my moment. Whether taken halfway around the world or in my own backyard, each photograph has personal significance for me specifically because of the context I have to go with it. The captured image is not my moment, only a souvenir of it.
Here, I’ve decided to share some photographs with you without providing much context at all. I would rather you have your own moment with each of them. Enjoy…
Cruelty-Free: Eggs, cafes to cafeterias
As a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I wanted to write a little bit more about easy ways we can make a HUGE difference when it comes to eggs. For those of you who are still wondering what the big deal is about keeping hens in cages, consider:
- Average space provided for a caged hen: 67 squared inches (less than a piece of loose-leaf paper)
- Space need to stand up straight: 75 sq. inches
- Space needed to flap wings: 303 sq. inches.
- Caged hens never have access to sunlight during their entire lives
The happy news is that more and more establishments are switching to cage-free eggs, and this is going to reduce the suffering of the 300+ million hens that are still living in cages in the U.S. alone. “Cage-free” does not mean 100% cruelty-free; but the cage-free step is a step in the right direction, and the proof is mounting that it’s completely do-able.
Going beyond what each of us is using at home, by supporting the efforts of large-scale organizations – from corporations to cafes to campuses — we’ll be supporting the hens.
- Restaurants & Markets
Many restaurants and cafes — not just the “organic” or vegetarian havens — have made the switch to using cage-free eggs (in addition to offering more dairy-free options). Even fast-food chains are catching on, including Denny’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Quizno’s, Sonic, IHOP, Carl’s, Jr., Hardee’s, and Red Robin. The next time you’re at one of these places, let them know you appreciate their efforts. Also, food markets such as Trader Joe’s have joined the team (TJ’s store brand is cage-free).Finally, don’t be afraid to ask some of your favorite dining destinations if they’re using cage-free, or mention cage-free options to your local market. If they’re not already on board, your asking might be just the nudge they need.
- Schools
A campus is a little universe. Whether you attend a large school like University of Texas with 50,000+ undergraduates, or a smaller school like Georgetown, with some 7000 undergrads, just think of all the eggs that are consumed on a day-to-day basis. Having gone to both of these schools (law school, the first time around; grad school), I’m proud to say both of these campuses have made the switch to cage-free. For the last year and a half, I’ve been working with the head of dining at Rice University (undergrad) to support their efforts to join the hundreds of other colleges and universities that have gone cage-free. This year, Rice made the switch to using cage-free for its shelled eggs on campus, which is a terrific first step. Yay! Yes, cage-free eggs cost more… but in light of animal welfare as well as environmental and health concerns, more and more schools are recognizing they need to make room for cage-free in the budget. Kudos to all the campuses who have made this change! Is your alma mater cage-free? If not, check out the web site Alumni For A Cage-Free Campus. When I was starting to gather support for the initiative at Rice, I created this simple web site (with the help of my computer-wizard husband Seth) so that I could have alums show their support. At the time, it seemed worthwhile to build the site so that alums at other schools could create a page of their own and do the same. There’s a home page that gives basic information about caged hens; and I’ve also provided the contact information for Josh Balk, outreach director for the Humane Society of the United States’ factory-farming campaign, which includes the HSUS’s Cage-Free Campus campaign. Josh is an amazing resource and an all-around great guy. Email or give him a call with any questions! If you’re currently a college student, it will be even easier for you to gather support on campus among your friends. Sometimes, just a phone call to Dining Services will be all it takes to make that change!
- Progress in Legislation
This past summer there have been a couple of major milestones. California already passed its Prevention of Cruelty to Farm Animals Act (“Prop 2”) in 2008; last month, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bill 1437, which requires that starting in 2015 all shell eggs sold in California must come from hens who were able to stand up, lie down, turn around, etc. Combined with the effects of Prop 2, the bill means that California essentially is going to become a cage-free state. Makes this New Yorker almost wish I were a California Girl! Also this summer, the state of Ohio — the nation’s second largest egg production state — agreed to impose a moratorium on new battery cages. I encourage everyone to check out the laws in your own state, and look into how you can offer support to any local legislative efforts.
By the way, if you’re an alum of Rice and haven’t signed in support of cage-free eggs yet, feel free to visit the Rice University supporters page and add your name to the list supporters now. Thanks!
Cruelty-Free: Eggs, not all they’re cracked up to be
If you have a carton of eggs in the fridge, take a look at the packaging. Does it say the eggs are cage-free? That the chickens were 100% vegetarian-fed? Humanely raised? Is there a picture of a happy-looking hen, or a quaint little farmhouse? Is there a logo that says your eggs are UEP (United Egg Producers) certified? And if it does bear the UEP-certified label, what does that really mean anyway? Wait a second… aren’t all hens vegetarians? What does “humanely” mean, and who decided what it meant? The companies who make the eggs? Aren’t all eggs, which come from animals — namely, the hens — all-natural? How would it be possible to have a 95% “natural” egg? Welcome to Confuse-the-Consumer 101…
If you’re looking to make some initial changes, choosing cage-free or free-range is commendable, but it’s important to know the facts so that you are actually buying what you think you’re buying. Here in the US, we’re a little behind the times: in the European Union, eggs are labeled on the cartons as well as the eggs themselves as “Free Range,” “Barn Eggs” (Cage Free), or “Eggs from Caged Hens.” Here, it’s a little trickier to make sure you’re not being duped. A friend of mine buys her eggs from a local farmer with a free-range setting for the hens. Difference between cage-free and free-range? Free-range hens have access to the outdoors; “cage-free” means the hens are not in battery cages but potentially are still jam-packed in poultry houses. Also, the cage-free label does not mean antibiotics-free or that the hens are given pesticide-free meals. OK, so free-range wins, right? But note that I said free-range hens have access to outside. Does that mean they actually are out there, all happy and free?
When so many people have managed to reduce, if not altogether eliminate, their consumption of eggs because of allergies or because they’re managing cholesterol levels, why not the rest of us, too? It might be difficult to ensure that a product made with eggs never passes your lips again, but I can tell you that the switches we’ve made at home were pretty easy for us, and we’re constantly discovering new dairy-free, egg-free foods that are simply delicious.
Suggestions to help break the egg habit:
For breakfast
I know plenty of people who swear by scrambled tofu. I’m just as happy with a plate of non-dairy pancakes or a waffle for breakfast. A newly-discovered fave at the house is mochi drizzled with brown rice syrup. The pups, Galileo and Otis, who once upon a time had a Sunday breakfast of scrambled cage-free egg whites and veggie bacon, now look forward to either organic O’s with rice milk or bagel pieces with Tofutti non-dairy cream cheese. (Yes, I’ve been told I spoil them. My reply: Galileo says I spoil them just right.)
For baking
Though I love to cook, I’m not a baker. When it comes to non-dairy desserts, I’ve had plenty, though, thanks to friends and some wonderful restaurants and bakeries. Even bakeries that do not “specialize” in vegan desserts often have a couple of non-dairy options. Cupcakes, cakes, cookies — you name it, there’s a scrumptious non-dairy option out there. A bakery in my neighborhood recently made a vegan wedding cake for a couple, and their guests absolutely raved about it.
So, what’s the trick to baking without eggs? Some easy substitutes (each the equivalent of one egg):
- ¼ cup applesauce + 1 teaspoon. baking powder
- ½ banana, mashed
- 2 tablespoons water + 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- ½ cup tofu, blended
- Ener-G Egg Replacer (directions on box)
Cruelty-Free: Pasta
I grew up in a house where every Sunday I woke up to the smell of my mother’s sauce already simmering on the stove. Tomatoes, onions, garlic… there’s nothing quite like it. Sunday dinner, which we usually eat earlier in the day, remains a Discorfano family tradition — even our pups know on Sundays we head to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. These days, I forgo the meatballs and sausage and have replaced the pecorino-romano cheese with a parmesean substitute by Galaxy. So what about the pasta itself?
Years ago, when I was living in Rome, I used to buy Barilla and DeCecco pasta at my local market; and I’ve stayed true to those brands ever since. I buy a box and, in my mind, I’m instantly transported back to my old neighborhood just a short walk away from the Vatican. These pastas are 100% semolina flour — no animal products! The fact is… any pasta you buy off the shelf at your grocery store does not usually include animal products. Only fresh pasta that you find in the refrigerated section uses eggs, and those items will say so. Va bene!
However, I’ve expanded the pasta selection in my home pantry as we’ve tried new recipes, largely because I believe having variety is the surest way to stay on track. Who wants to be bored with food? Different pastas incorporate new flavors and textures into a meal… and can even provide some protein, which is always a plus once animal-based proteins are no longer on the menu. Here are some favorites:
- Trader Joes’s Brown Rice Fusilli
A healthy option that tends to be lighter than other kinds of pasta. For a quick meal, (the pasta takes only 9 minutes to cook), toss with some olive oil and sprinkle some “parmesean” on top. Add in some broccoli florets, and you’ve got one of our favorite quick weekday dinners! This pasta is also a good alternative to steamed rice to serve with a vegetable stir-fry. Occasionally, we pair it with Tasty Bite quick ‘n spicy entrees or Trader Joe’s Indian Fare — both come in pouches you just have to boil for a few minutes. We like the Punjab Choley: the chickpeas provide the protein, and the sauce has just the right amount of “spicy.” - VitaSpelt (rotini, spaghetti)
Spelt pasta, a form of wheat, is a heartier pasta than those made from semolina or rice, and it has a slightly nutty flavor to it, which makes it a nice change from regular whole-wheat pasta. It goes perfectly with cream sauces, or if you’re planning to mix in some seitan or chunky slices of vegetables. I like to toss the rotini with a little sauteed spinach and garlic, or in summer months with some sliced up fresh zucchini and yellow squash. The spaghetti is molto delicioso (and filling) when served with a simple marinara sauce. VitaSpelt also makes lasagna noodles that, in addition to being tasty, won’t fall apart on you when you serve it up! - Ancient Harvest Spaghetti
This pasta is a quinoa-corn blend. The beauty of the grain-like quinoa (actually a seed) is that it’s a wonderful source of protein. The yellow of the spaghetti (because of the corn) can be the start of an especially pretty dish… just pile on the colorful vegetables. I like to toss the spaghetti with just a couple tablespoons of olive oil and a mix of long, thin slices of roasted red, yellow, orange, and green peppers. Top it off with a handful of roasted pine nuts. - Pasta Valente’s “Francesca’s Vegan Pasta”
From a family-owned company based in Charlottesville, these pastas use locally-milled wheat flour along with a combination of herbs, spices and dried vegetables. The “Francesca” was inspired by the founder’s granddaughter, who is vegan… and who also happens to be a friend of mine. I know — how cool is it that she has a pasta named after her?! Even more cool is that at the Fancy Food conference in NYC this summer, Francesca’s Vegan Pasta was named by Ecorazzi as one of the Top Ten Fancy Food Products of 2010. So I encourage everyone to give it a try. Right now, it’s available in stores around the east coast region, but I’m hoping it won’t be long before I see packages of Pasta Valente all the way across the country in Tucson. Fran is one of the most genuine, sweetest people I know… and that fact alone will bring a smile to my face any time I get to sit down for a Francesca-pasta dinner. Also, check out the recipe for vegan alfredo sauce on the Pasta Valente web site under “Favorite Recipes”: it uses cauliflower to make the sauce so creamy!
Mangia! For dinner tonight, we’re cooking up Seitan Piccata with angel hair pasta. Mmmmmmm…
Cruelty-Free: Social Networks Make It Simple (a true story)
We all know how Facebook and Twitter can help us reach out to hundreds if not thousands of people. What’s even more fascinating to me than the wide expanse of the Facebook universe is how it — and other social networks — can become the forum for spontaneous, often quick, exchanges with a friend that result in a tangible good. Here’s a short, true story that demonstrates how, sometimes, just making a brief connection can have a ripple effect. Almost effortlessly, when positive people come together, positive things happen.
Recently, a former classmate from high school (Academy of the Holy Angels!) sent me an extremely thoughtful message via Facebook, mostly focused on my animal advocacy efforts. Toward the end of the message, Toni also inquired about some of my favorite charitable organizations; though short on time, she has been quite generous to animal welfare organizations, and she was eager to donate to another worthy cause I might have in mind. In response, I offered her a few suggestions, including Bideawee, which holds a special place in my heart because it’s the NYC organization through which I adopted my beagle Pushkin. But I also suggested she contact another of our former classmates, Patty, who lives in the New York Tri-State area, like herself. Patty was another “Angel” I’d reconnected with via Facebook; although Patty and I haven’t had much in the way of one-on-one communications, I’d noticed that she was active in local animal-related efforts. Perhaps Patty had a suggestion for a local charitable organization, I wrote in my reply.
Not more than a week or two later, I received another message from Toni, thanking me for my suggestion. In between our exchanges, she had come across the same cat that had given birth to the two kittens she’d taken in a year earlier. She’d contacted Patty, who, in addition to assisting her with the present situation, was going to help Toni deal with a cat colony in her town. One “Angel” had the expertise; the other, a willingness to give her time and provide the financial means. Together, they’re making a difference. Yes!!!
Cruelty-Free: Compassion Over Killing (the internship)
Birthday Cupcakes
Hens and hogs and cows – oh my! Since mid-June, I’ve had the extraordinary experience of working as a legal intern at Compassion Over Killing, a DC-based organization whose mission is to end cruelty to animals in agriculture. The sheer numbers are staggering: more than a million animals are killed for consumption every hour, animals that can and do feel pain. There are few laws in place to protect any animals, and in most states farm animals are exempt from even those protections. But the good news is that this is changing: people are becoming more aware of the suffering that factory farming causes and, as a result, consumers and laws are changing their ways. What an inspiration to be part of a team spending their days trying to help all these animals who cannot defend themselves, to witness their dedication on a daily basis and the intelligence and creativity they bring to their jobs.
Some highlights of my time with CoK:
- All the firsts, as a 1L/Rising 2L: first real-world memo; first visit to a prosecutor’s office; first meetings on Capitol Hill; first phone calls to federal agencies, etc.
- Discussing HR 5566, the bill to stop the production and distribution of animal crush videos, at the offices of Congresswoman Giffords and Senators McCain and Kyl, just days before the House voted on it — and approved it by a landslide!
- Vegan cupcakes from Sticky Fingers Bakery on my milestone birthday
- A beautiful drive along the Maryland coast with Cheryl, on the way to meet with the state’s attorney. When she pointed out a battery-cage facility, I said a little prayer for the caged hens inside.
- Serving up non-dairy Caesar salad at City Hall with CoK’s outreach volunteers
- The Animal Rights Conference in Alexandria, VA and tabling for CoK
- HSUS’s Taking Action for Animals conference weekend
- Visiting Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary for rescued farm animals
- Working and learning each day with legal interns, Lisa, Rory and Mel. It was great getting to you know you guys! Lots of laughs in between navigating the swampy roads of Westlaw…
Legal Interns
My eternal gratitude to Cheryl, Erica (Wonder Woman!), Christina, Francesca, Max, Frank, Lisa, Rory, Mel, Lauren, Doba, Boru, Hermione, and all the volunteers who came into the office each week. A special shout-out to fourteen year-old Katya, a young fiery spirit who I know will do wonders on behalf of the animals — you’re awesome!
Although, as a general rule, I don’t dwell on negative images and stories related to animal abuses, it’s impossible to completely avoid them; sometimes, the suffering seems so much, and what needs to be done so much… it’s overwhelming. In those moments that I know we all have, I will picture my CoK friends at the office, making the phone calls, searching through piles of documents, handing out veggie hot dogs on a corner, leafleting on the streets of DC… all the stuff of a routine day at CoK. And I’ll be reminded that there are so many, many people who care about these animals, who have compassion, and who — together — are a brilliant force at work in the universe each day.
Erica and Mel
Thank you for the privilege of being part of your team, for providing me with a learning ground, for sharing your journeys with me, and for becoming an integral part of my own journey. Six weeks, in a way, lasts forever.
(Special thanks to Josh Balk, for suggesting that I call Cheryl in the first place!)
Cruelty-Free: When Dining Out
Dining out in restaurants is one of the great joys of life. I love soaking up the new atmosphere, getting out with family and friends, and of course trying out new dishes — especially ones that present some of my favorites in exciting combinations that are new to me. However, when you have any kind of restrictions about food, dining out can be a source of anxiety. But, with just a few tricks up your sleeve, you can rid yourself of the unnecessary awkwardness.
First, if the restaurant is new to you, try looking online at the menu so that you’re prepared for what’s coming. If you don’t want to seem too fussy when you’re out with friends (or on a date!), you can even call ahead of time and speak with one of the staff. Let the person you’re speaking with know you’ll be in, and about your desire for a cruelty-free meal. Usually, he or she will offer suggestions, and the two of you can plan ahead about what you’ll be ordering.
Once I’m at a restaurant, if there’s nothing on the menu that works for me, I have a few techniques:
- I often ask the food server for suggestions: “What do you usually suggest for vegetarians here?” If need be, I can take it to the next level with a “please hold the cheese” or “please ask the chef to grill the veggies without butter.”
- If there’s something on the menu that sounds very appealing, minus one or two ingredients, I go menu-shopping. If I want to replace the goat cheese on a salad, I simply look around for something else to include that I know the restaurant has available because it’s listed as part of another dish. “Instead of the goat cheese, could you have the chef throw in some of those sautéed mushrooms that usually come with the (other dish on the menu)?”
- Look at the sides available. There’s a great restaurant in Tucson, Wildflower, where I always ask for a combination of sides. Usually, my husband and I will split a side of forbidden rice; then, I order two sides. I ask what the vegetable of the day is, which is usually one of my two choices. The last time we went to Wildflower for dinner, the side of the day was a wonderful medley of root vegetables. To complement that, I needed some greens — so I ordered a side of grilled asparagus.
Exploring new ethic cuisines that emphasize vegetarian and vegan dishes — Indian, Ethiopian, Malaysian, etc. — may open up whole new worlds for you, too. Italian food is always a safe bet, because there’s always a pasta marinara (meat-free tomato sauce) on the menu. If, by some chance, you find the one Italian place on the planet that doesn’t have marinara in the kitchen, just ask for some pasta tossed with a little olive oil and garlic… and some grilled vegetables if they are elsewhere on the menu. If you do an internet search for restaurants in your area (i.e., citysearch), you often can look up places by the “vegetarian” category. More often than not, the search results will include not only all-vegetarian establishments, but also those that have at least some vegetarian options available.
Finally, don’t be bashful about letting your family and friends know of your cruelty-free criterion, and suggest some places that would appeal to them and you. But even if your crowd insists on a steakhouse, with a little creativity and the willingness to ask for something off the menu, you’ll be able to have a dish that stays true to the cruelty-free you!
Bonus Tip!
If you’re living in Washington DC, Portland, Austin, or Baltimore, Compassion Over Killing has FREE vegetarian guides available for lucky you!
Cruelty-Free: Taking Action for Animals conference
at the Pro Bono Litigation Awards
This past weekend, I attended the Taking Action For Animals conference (TAFA) in Washington DC, hosted by the Humane Society of the United States. I attended for the first time last year, and this year my husband Seth came along, curious to experience first-hand what I was so excited about last July. The beauty of an event like this one is that it brings together animal advocates from all over the country, each of whom has his or her own particular focus when it comes to supporting animals. Last year, I met some truly extraordinary people, and it was great catching up with them again this summer. While
So many animal advocates!
my immediate circle of friends tends to be focused on animal law issues, I was able to connect at the conference with people who are extremely active on the issue of puppy mills, some who focus more on wildlife issues, some who concentrate on farm animals or marine mammals, some involved in law enforcement for companion animals or animal rescue, and a few who are teachers looking to spread compassion through their work with children in the classroom. When all of these people come together, you realize just how many people are out there who care about animal welfare, and how powerful the unified voice can be.
at the Letters to Pushkin table
In addition to attending the conference again, I was inspired this time around to bring Letters To Pushkin into the spotlight, with a table of its own in the Exhibit Hall. It was at this conference last year that Pushkin, our beagle who passed away in February 2009, quietly made his public debut… just a few Letters To Pushkin postcards — a picture of his distinguished profile — posted on the public bulletin board in the hotel lobby. At the time, my husband and I were just getting ready to publish the web site, a free site for those who are coping with the loss of a loved one. For me, LTP is about helping others, taking my own loss and trying to have some good
with HSUS's CEO, Wayne Pacelle
come out of it. Most of all, it’s a way of paying tribute to the huge spirit that came to me in a little beagle body, and who still inspires me each day. So many people who walked up to our table this past weekend were kind enough to share their own stories of the companion animals who have touched their lives. But my favorite remark, I admit, was made by a woman who exclaimed, “Peace to Pushkin!” The spirit we call Pushkin lives on.
Cruelty-Free: In the Workplace
For the last six weeks, I have had the amazing opportunity to work in a completely cruelty-free environment. Everyone is vegan, wears vegan, and works all day long on behalf of animals. A couple of weeks ago, when a co-worker and I got caught in the rain while walking to the metro, we shared a chuckle when I commented: “Another bright side to being in a vegan workplace: neither of us is wearing any leather that’s going to get ruined in the rain!”
To work in this kind of an environment is rare, I know. I wish everyone could have the experience, just to see how much it transforms the entire workday. (We also have three large dogs wandering around the office, which is an amazing presence.) However, in subtle ways, each of us can bring some cruelty-free into the office.
- Office Supplies
Simple little changes can make a difference. Do you have office supplies made by companies that use animal testing? Do a quick search on brands like Scotch and 3M and see what you find. Sometimes, buying cruelty-free alternatives means just buying a generic brand until the big names catch on. - Work Attire
You can go cruelty-free and look fantastic doing it! Invariably, every time I wear my Natalie Portman boots, someone compliments me on them. I can’t think of a better way to pique someone’s curiosity than to be the fashionista at the workplace; then, when they notice your boots, your briefcase, or your sweater, you can let them know who made it… and that no animals were harmed in the process. - Bathroom & Cleaning Products
At the yoga studio I own, Lyric Yoga and Wellness, I keep a cruelty-free hand soap in the studio’s bathroom (such as Kiss My Face), and under the sink are cleaning products that also are animal-friendly (Trader Joe’s, Ecover). If you don’t own the business, but the organization is small enough so that you can have a conversation with the person in charge of stocking up on this kind of stuff, try suggesting some of the more inexpensive cruelty-free alternatives. www.lyricyoga.com - Potluck Lunches
While your coworkers may not all be vegetarian, it’s not out of bounds to organize a veggie potluck for fun. If people want to participate they can… no pressure. Those who choose not to partake will see all the yummy food in the employee lounge, and I guarantee the next time around, many of them will decide they’d like to contribute a dish to the table. - Birthday Cakes/Cupcakes
Remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaine was getting irritated because it seemed like every day there was a birthday at the office? Well, there’s no need to worry so much about the waistline if you’re selecting a healthier version of the Happy-Birthday routine. Vegan cakes and cupcakes are just as delicious as those made with dairy products. So the next time your birthday rolls around, get adventurous and go for the vegan cupcakes – I promise you will not be disappointed! If someone else at the office puts in the birthday-cake orders, let him or her know your preference. There are many bakeries that are willing to make non-dairy cakes and cupcakes these days, and you’ll have everyone in the office talking about how they never thought a vegan cupcake or chocolate cake could taste so good. I ordered cupcakes from Sticky Fingers Bakery in DC for my birthday just a few weeks ago! - Photos of Fido and Fluffy
If you have pictures of family on your desk or posted up to the cubicle wall, please make sure to include pictures of your nonhuman family members. Not only will it add a little “warm and fuzzy” to your work day, but it also will let your coworkers know that you consider companion animals to be an important part of the family. - Happy Hour
A perfect way to wrap up the week is with a happy hour, of course! Why not find a happy hour location in your area that features some vegetarian or vegan hors d’oeuvres? And, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can look up the cruelty-free status of your favorite happy hour drinks (including beer) at Barnivore. Cheers!
Cruelty-Free: Reflections from the Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
My weeks here in Washington DC have been flying by! I’ve been making the most of my time — learning so much through the legal internship, taking lots of yoga classes, visiting some of my old haunts, and catching up with all my east-coast friends. Finally, I set aside time in the schedule to make it over to the National Mall.
My first time at the Lincoln Memorial is one of my earliest memories: a family trip to Washington DC when I was only four years old. I remember the stairs leading up to the statue seemed like they went on forever, waves in a sea of white. As I stood at the base of the statue of Lincoln in his chair, I was so small that, when I looked up, I couldn’t see Lincoln’s face; all I could see were the massive hands that stretched over the ends of the chair’s arms. And then, I remember how my perspective changed as my father took me in his arms and lifted me up and set me on his shoulders. In one sweeping motion, it all came together. I stared into the 
mammoth face.
Since that time, I have revisited the memorial many times and, at least in part, it’s because of this early memory that the Lincoln Memorial is extra special to me among all the monuments. I have walked up its steps countless times, with many people who have figured heavily in my own life through the years: layers of context that, taken together, have an added poignancy well beyond the significance of each instance. Since that first visit, of course I’ve also learned more about Lincoln as a man, and about his place in American history. I now read much more into the stoic expression on the statue’s face. And I’ve developed an appreciation for all that has transpired on the same steps I struggled to climb with my toddler legs and now leap up with my adult legs. Now, from the top of the steps, as I look over the Mall and towards the Washington Monument in the distance, I think of Marian Anderson, an African-American woman with the voice of an angel, singing on the steps in 1939 to a crowd of 75,000 people; the open-air concert came about because she was refused the opportunity to sing at Constitution Hall for an integrated audience. Each time I visit the memorial, I will always reflect on the milestones in our national history that it celebrates as much as it pays tribute to Mr. Lincoln himself: the end of slavery, the culmination of the civil rights movement, and other victories that have moved us towards equality and social justice. I cannot imagine living in a nation where there were humans in chains, forced to work plantations; where there were signs over doors that marked separate entrances for “whites” and “blacks”; and where it was acceptable to deny people jobs or services based on their race, sex, or sexual orientation. But those times did exist, and not all that long ago. What history proves to us over and over again is that change for the better is possible.
Here’s the hope: I realize that it’s just as possible when it comes to how our society treats animals. It’s just as appropriate for those working towards animal rights to hope and to dream… and to expect change. There will be a day when our children, or our children’s children, will hear about factory farms and canned hunt facilities and wonder how they ever could have existed. Unfathomable, they’ll think to themselves. If I’m lucky, I’ll have an opportunity in this lifetime to stand at the top of the Lincoln Memorial’s steps and once again consider all the peacemakers in this world — great leaders and ordinary citizens alike. And once again, I’ll be able to marvel at how far we’ve come.
Not far from the Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson stands in the middle of a rotunda that’s inscribed with many of his inspirational words. My personal favorite: “I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”
Washington Monument
When it comes to how we treat animals — whether it’s in the small decisions we make each day like using products that do not test on animals, or the grand changes we can make through legislation — I believe we, as a society, are in the process of once again choosing a new coat. It’s precisely our ability to evolve that empowers us as individuals and as a whole. Lincoln and Jefferson thought so, too.
(photo credit: Seth Webster)
