The Right to Live
“Am I Blue?” written by Alice Walker, is a narrative presenting an issue of relation between a human being and an animal. The consignment of the author's work is an exhibition of an animal, as a creature equivalent to a human. The reasoning of animal and human kinds as correspondent implies a necessity to discuss two main and controversial concerns: carnivore contra vegetarianism, and fashion - wearing clothes of animal derivation.
The first aspect regarding carnivore and vegetarian diet can be introduced by specifying advantages and disadvantages of both. Presently, all over the world, people have their own eating habits and styles of life. It is also a fact, that public began to take note of cruelty of humans regarding animals. It was caused by discovering a concealed and embarrassing truth about treating slaughter animals. When society is exposed to advertising images of happy cows, dancing pigs and chickens, it is difficult for them to realize that animals' reality is dramatically different. People do convict innocent, helpless, and feeling creatures on suffering and then deprive their lives. However, a significant distinction must be emphasized at this context. In my opinion, there are actually three main attitudes towards eating meat. The first one stands for being carnivorous and unconcerned over animals. The second may be called a moderate attitude. This position is understood by being carnivorous, however, not impassive about doles of animals. The third attitude means being on vegetarian diet, which can be simply described by excluding eating meat from a menu. This posture can be, but not necessarily, caused by special compassion and concern over animals as well as a form of protestation in defense of their rights.
“Am I Blue?” reveals a vision of animals in human terms; however, the narrative did not affect my opinion regarding eating meat. Personally, I believe in “rights of nature,” a closed circle, where one must kill another in order to survive. I can be included in the second group of attitudes towards eating meat. I will remain being carnivorous; however, I will become more active in subject of protection of animals' rights. I think, that not killing animals is wrong, but the barbarian way of killing them. It is easy to treat animals like lifeless matters; nevertheless, it is important to remember that the world is full of cruelty, among other things because of human is indifferent to animals' doles - he also becomes indifferent to doles of another human.
The second aspect regarding fashion - wearing clothes of animal derivation can be introduced by presenting contemporary fur and leather markets. Certainly, furs and leathers are not anymore parts of wardrobe designed to protect from cold. It would be nonsense in the twenty-first century - the century of plastic materials. Furs and leathers are luxurious products, so it is impossible to rationally excuse a procedure of depriving animals' lives and freedom just to satisfy human desires. Some people wearing furs or leathers try to defend themselves by explanation that their furs are made from animals grown in special farms instead of killed in torture by poachers. In my opinion, these “farms” are contemporary death camps. Conditions of life of these farm animals are drastic; perhaps even more drastic than conditions of life of animals living in freedom.
“Am I Blue?” definitely affected my attitude towards furs and leather derived from animals. Although, my position in this subject has been accordant to putting an end on these kinds of markets, Alice Walker's narrative convicted me to begin to act. The concern about rights of animals, in situation when animals are so cruelly exploited by people, is a proper position for a human being. It is a painful truth, that among all living creatures on the planet, a human became the most despotic killer, threatening his all environment.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that there supposed to be more spoken and written about animals and their rights. People and animals live in this world and we all must respect our right to life. If we do not have to defend against the attack, we do not have to harm - “harming is usually a caprice, insensibility and unawareness.” In my opinion, animals should be only introduced to people in human terms - just as Alice Walker did in “Am I Blue?” Perhaps, this could help humans to live and let others live better life…