Sin Piel España 2007
http://www.20minutos.es/galeria/1974/0/0/desnudo/protesta/pieles/
If I had been told, a couple years ago, that someday I'd be participating in something like this, I wouldn't have believed it. In fact, now that I see the photos and the news articles I do feel vaguely ashamed. I don't come up in many photos anyway, and people who don't know where to look won't actually see me, but still, it's me, I'm there, and I did it for something I believe in.
I believe we humans are animals, too. I believe there is no ethical justification for making other animals suffer A LIVING HELL for stupid luxuries like fur, or meat. I believe something should be done about it, because millions of animals are suffering the consequences of our industry of capitalism and consumption and excess. I know there are other pressing social problems out there, but hey, I fight against those too, and saying that "why aren't they complaining about abortion and euthanasia?" or some other thing stems from the prejudice that tells us that the DEATH and SUFFERING of millions of animals is somehow less important than the poor quality of life of a few humans, just for the fact that all these animals are not of our species.
I believe non-human animals have a right to life, to not being in pain, to not being locked up in cages all their lives.
I know people say we're stupid, ridiculous and totally missing the point. I think they're the ones missing the point, trying to wave us away as unimportant in order not to face some uncomfortable truths about their own lifestyle.
I'm still a relativist, I'm still pessimistic and cynical, and I really don't think people's attitudes towards this problem will change, at least not until it's too late. Because you know, it's much more comfortable doing what is easy and not what is right, or what will be better for all of us in the long run. Because people are stupid. We'll end up messing up and dying off anyway.
And you know what? GOOD RIDDANCE.
And it was fun doing it, anyway. I took off my clothes with an unexpected peace of mind, not too nervous or disturbed. The day was warm and the sun was shining, so we only had the under the discomforts of lying on the hard ground for fifteen minutues without moving.
Once, not too long ago, I thought it was ridiculous of animal activists to take off their clothes at every protest. But now I have found a reason for it. Clothing somehow divides us from the rest of the animals. Remember Adam and Eve? Covering up your body, your genitals, has always been considered a sign, a symbol of "civilization", of superiority, the line that divides Us, the Civilized, The Chosen Ones, the Rational beings, from the Uncivilized, the savage, the animal, the irrational, all the beings that are there for us to use as we choose it.
Remember that the line hasn't always divided "homo-sapiens" and "everything else". Just a 100 years ago it divided "whites" from "blacks, Asians and everyone else". It divided "pure-blood Arian" from "dirty jews, negros, fags and everyone else". It divided "men" from "women", the "weaker sex".
It's an arbitrary line.
And it can be moved.
When we take of our clothes, we're showing you the uncomfortable truth about yourself. We're proving that we're animals, too, just like those in the cages skinned for the pleasure of a few "fashion-lovin'" rich ladies with bad taste. Just like those you eat every day.
Just like them.
You think I'm stupid and ridiculous? Sure, go ahead, wave me off your narrow little mind. I might be stupid and ridiculous, but I have my ideas clear about this, and guess what?
I'M NOT ALONE.
If I had been told, a couple years ago, that someday I'd be participating in something like this, I wouldn't have believed it. In fact, now that I see the photos and the news articles I do feel vaguely ashamed. I don't come up in many photos anyway, and people who don't know where to look won't actually see me, but still, it's me, I'm there, and I did it for something I believe in.
I believe we humans are animals, too. I believe there is no ethical justification for making other animals suffer A LIVING HELL for stupid luxuries like fur, or meat. I believe something should be done about it, because millions of animals are suffering the consequences of our industry of capitalism and consumption and excess. I know there are other pressing social problems out there, but hey, I fight against those too, and saying that "why aren't they complaining about abortion and euthanasia?" or some other thing stems from the prejudice that tells us that the DEATH and SUFFERING of millions of animals is somehow less important than the poor quality of life of a few humans, just for the fact that all these animals are not of our species.
I believe non-human animals have a right to life, to not being in pain, to not being locked up in cages all their lives.
I know people say we're stupid, ridiculous and totally missing the point. I think they're the ones missing the point, trying to wave us away as unimportant in order not to face some uncomfortable truths about their own lifestyle.
I'm still a relativist, I'm still pessimistic and cynical, and I really don't think people's attitudes towards this problem will change, at least not until it's too late. Because you know, it's much more comfortable doing what is easy and not what is right, or what will be better for all of us in the long run. Because people are stupid. We'll end up messing up and dying off anyway.
And you know what? GOOD RIDDANCE.
And it was fun doing it, anyway. I took off my clothes with an unexpected peace of mind, not too nervous or disturbed. The day was warm and the sun was shining, so we only had the under the discomforts of lying on the hard ground for fifteen minutues without moving.
Once, not too long ago, I thought it was ridiculous of animal activists to take off their clothes at every protest. But now I have found a reason for it. Clothing somehow divides us from the rest of the animals. Remember Adam and Eve? Covering up your body, your genitals, has always been considered a sign, a symbol of "civilization", of superiority, the line that divides Us, the Civilized, The Chosen Ones, the Rational beings, from the Uncivilized, the savage, the animal, the irrational, all the beings that are there for us to use as we choose it.
Remember that the line hasn't always divided "homo-sapiens" and "everything else". Just a 100 years ago it divided "whites" from "blacks, Asians and everyone else". It divided "pure-blood Arian" from "dirty jews, negros, fags and everyone else". It divided "men" from "women", the "weaker sex".
It's an arbitrary line.
And it can be moved.
When we take of our clothes, we're showing you the uncomfortable truth about yourself. We're proving that we're animals, too, just like those in the cages skinned for the pleasure of a few "fashion-lovin'" rich ladies with bad taste. Just like those you eat every day.
Just like them.
You think I'm stupid and ridiculous? Sure, go ahead, wave me off your narrow little mind. I might be stupid and ridiculous, but I have my ideas clear about this, and guess what?
I'M NOT ALONE.