"The millions joining the communications
mainstream of the Internet would be far more inclined to explore animal
welfare issues if they felt there was far less stereotyping attached
to the subject. What's needed is a more fluid and transparent term
to describe compassion towards animals and the environment. Something
that allows interaction for all. Terms like "animal rights campaigner"
and "animal activist" are out ... "Animal Compassionate
and Global Compassionate are in!"
VeggieGlobal
and Looking-Glass have spread a new, universally embracing terminology,
which you'll find used frequently around these sites ... They are terms
that should encourage forward thinking methods of moral interaction
by a far wider range of individuals, wherever or whoever he or she may
be - either actively blocking a lorry at an English port - or else simply
casting a vote on the Internet against calf slaughtering methods for
veal.
A more accessible description of what
compassionate people strive to achieve should open the action forum
far wider than it is today ... It would also serve as a refreshing "hook"
for media / press attention to animal welfare etc.
So, although we realize that the terms
"Animal Rights Campaigners / Activists" concisely describes
an active purpose, they misguidingly represent a self-styled elitism
with a militant undertone. Those labels are too stereotypical and unfortunately
fuels the media's focus on a select minority of, for example, over-angst
loudmouthed women, whose simplistic attitude just creates further animosity
amongst the general public - making it next to impossible in establishing
rational dialogue through any diplomatic channels. Secondly, such stereotypical
behaviour creates comic material for programmes such as The Ali G Show
(UK).
Aggressive male extremists are another small proportion of the active
movement. They blacken the cause both at the scene of the protest as
well as through the eyes of the media. This minority group are acting
on primal aggression only to be defended (and sometimes instigated)
by a male-heavy police force displaying an equal measure of primal aggressiveness.
The usual hair-trigger situation is created by the ignorant few.
Therefore it can only be concluded, particularly on the strength of
recent clashes, that the term "Animal Rights / Environmental Campaigners
or Activists" now sounds drearily stereotypical and somehow darkens
the cause.
The millions joining the communications
mainstream of the Internet would be far more inclined to explore animal
welfare issues if they felt that there was far less stereotyping attached
to it. What's needed is a more fluid and transparent description relating
to their concerns. The online population (particularly young people)
will be far more likely to take part in campaigns and activities towards
compassionate causes if they felt less pigeonholed.
Calling someone a "Compassionate" hardly sounds like a term
anyone would poke fun at, but more a word to aspire to.
We don't expect new terminology to replace
old overnight, but VeggieGlobal and Looking-Glass would just like to
plant the seed so to speak.
We would like to introduce a more widely
acceptable, user friendly, 21st century term, namely: "Animal
Compassionates"
And on the main platform embracing all
environmental and humanitarian concerns, namely: "Global Compassionates"
Terminology
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