Who’s going to stand up for those who can’t speak and stand up for themselves? I always ask myself that. Just because we humans, as individuals, are living life freely and easily, it doesn’t mean that everyone else is. Converting to vegetarianism wasn’t enough. Adopting chickens wasn’t enough. And that’s how I find myself here today, standing in front of 6,000 pound elephants, asking for their freedom. I am not always doing something as drastic as a protest. On any given day, I live a typical life. That is, if typical includes refusing to participate in a school project because it involves dissection, changing school menus to accommodate vegan lifestyles, boycotting stores and products until the company abides by the request to be cruelty-free, and converting people I’ve never met, who live in states I’ve never visited, to go vegetarian. You can say I’m not content with the ways things work in this world. Why should I? 27 billion animals die every year because of humans and people expect me to be content with it? I believe in questioning authority, questioning everything. Just because it is normal, does that mean it’s okay? (I can’t help but wonder if an elephant standing on his head is normal though). It wasn’t always a smooth ride. People have criticized me, teased me, told me I was wasting my time. It would make me weak and vulnerable. But when a battle is won, they are the ones who are quiet.
The line of elephants are now directly in front of me. Their sad eyes look at me behind the headdresses. Their chains preventing them from experiencing the freedom I enjoy. My sign is even higher now. “Unnatural Habitat. Unnatural Behavior,” it reads. The majestic creatures disappear into the stadium, but the chanting continues. Animals deserve the same basic rights as humans to live, love, and be free. At home, my adopted chickens are roaming free in the backyard grass, eating a variety of grains, fruits, and insects. They take dust baths in the hot sun, never having to worry about dodging the knife again. If only all animals lived a peaceful life like this. Later that evening, I write another letter to the circus, urging them to get rid of all animals in their performances. Maybe they’ll respond this time. Who knows?
One day, farm animals won’t have to face the slaughterhouse. Monkeys won’t have to face laboratory tests and minks won’t end up as a coat. It’s a big mission, but I’m up for it. Until then, an enticing hummus and avocado sandwich is calling me today, and a three-ton elephant tomorrow.
