Leave it up to humans to language benevolence toward animals as “humane” and a lack of compassion as “inhumane.”
It reflects that tendency humans have to see things (only) from a human-centric point of view. Knowing what we now know of the benevolence and compassion of many animals for other animals, species-specific or for other species, and the all too often indifference or hate humans have for others even of their own species, we might re-consider the designation of “humane” as an aspiration rather than an accurate depiction.
To celebrate the completion of our third year of teaching The Human Narrative class we will, with the generous support from a Hazon grant to us, distribute next week to all KE students a black box of PASTURE RAISED eggs from Vital Farms. The Human Narrative class raises awareness about the stories we tell ourselves that limit our humaneness, our compassion and benevolence for each other for all creatures, and for the entirety of the biosphere.
Action and awareness is a chicken and egg deal—which comes first? Sometimes it is awareness that leads to action, sometimes it is action that leads to awareness. Tikkun Olam, the “repair of the world” since the 16th century when the kabbalist Isaac Luria in Tzfat coined the term for its current use—is about taking action.
When we first talked about animal welfare and the consumption of eggs (KE Blog: The Great Prison Break March 2016) we discussed the distinction between cage-free and free-range chickens. Since then we have become more aware: Benevolence and compassion for chickens require Pasture Raised. Watch this 6-minute video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vyU-hilrY
to familiarize yourself with the need for higher standard action as consumers of eggs. Ethically and spiritually you are what your awareness and action eat.
Please take the Hazon pledge of purchasing higher welfare eggs.
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For the Hog Killing
Let them stand still for the bullet, and stare the shooter in the
eye,
let them die while the sound of the shot is in the air, let them die
as they fall,
let the jugular blood spring hot to the knife, let its freshet be full,
let this day begin again the change of hogs into people, not the
other way around,
for today we celebrate again our lives’ wedding with the world,
for by our hunger, by this provisioning, we renew the bond.
© Wendell Berry