Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am in no way an optimist. As much as I try to look at the bright side of things, I'm just not very good at it. One thing I am optimistic about though is the future of the animal rights movement. I truly believe that there will come a day when animal rights will be a reality and not just a dream. The thing I am not necessarily so optimistic about is WHEN that day will come. That depends entirely on us.....and that is what worries me.
I have met so many people who look to the past with reverence for those generations who have taken a stand, those who fought for what they believed in (in fact I am one of those people). I have heard people complain that our generation doesn't stand for anything. I think that is true, for the most part, but it doesn't have to be. People don't seem to understand that they have the ability to change that, all they have to do is choose to stand for something.
We have so many things going for us that past generations didn't have. We have all of this amazing technology at our disposal. It would be so easy for us to come together for a cause. People all over the world can communicate with each other anytime they want. Why aren't we using this ability to accomplish something? Don't get me wrong some of us are, or are at least trying, but most of us aren't. Most people use this technology to complain about their day and talk about what they are watching on TV.
I find myself so frustrated with society as a whole. I get so angry at the fact that my entire generation seems so shallow and selfish. But when I really think about it, I don't think that's the real problem. I think the problem is that, for whatever reason, most of us don't believe we can change anything. I think the average person wants to make a difference. People want something to stand for, something to fight for. I think that's why so many people seem to intentionally create conflict in their personal lives. They want to fight for something, but they don't have anything worth fighting for so they just make something up.
What we need is a cause that we can all get behind. We need a common goal to bring us all together. I truly believe that animal rights is the cause of our generation. The people of the past who we look to for inspiration are always the ones who have fought for the rights of those who are being oppressed. Who in our society is more oppressed than the animals we torture and kill every day? Someday animal rights WILL be a reality, of this I have no doubt. It's up to us whether or not we want to help bring that about. You and I may not live to see the day when animals are no longer enslaved, rest assured, someone will. When that day comes, do you want to be remembered as one of those who lead the way or one of those who stood in the way?
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