Imagine (we are sisters)
This post is going to be a little different to anything else you read here – a lottle different actually. I’m going to climb on my soapbox. It’s not something I do often, because I am a lover, not a fighter. But I cannot stand by any longer without saying my piece.
To give a little background, I have been prompted to speak out because of the escalating furore over this story. All Aussie readers will already be aware of the awful footage that lead to the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia, after Four Corners (television program) did an expose on slaughtering practices in a couple of the abbatoirs in that country. A brief summary for those who missed it (or live somewhere else in the world):
Television footage collected by Four Corners and Animals Australia showed cattle being mistreated before slaughter at a couple of abbatoirs after they had been sold to Indonesian importers. The edited footage was truly hideous – something pretty much every person I know (cattle producers and butchers included) found confronting and abhorrent. Somehow since the footage aired, to universal outrage, Australian beef producers (who had absolutely nothing to do with the events taking place in the report) are feeling an industry-wide tsunami of repurcussions. Exports have been completely halted (even to those who use abbatoirs with proven good practices) and the Australian beef market is being inundated with enormous numbers of cattle, with prices already falling significantly. Live export is a complex issue, and the events that were aired seem to have brought out the worst in everyone. I notice a number of discussion boards and comments sections on news sites and blogs degenerating into self-righteous name-calling opportunities.
However when I read articles like this one, and this one, I realise that perspective CAN be gained. And there is hope. We just need to change the way we look at things.
Now I admit I DO have an agenda – it’s one I have held close to my heart for many decades and it colours many things that I do. No, it’s not to convince every person on the planet to use Photoshop, to drive Toyotas – and it is certainly not to expect every single soul out there to eat red meat. Anyone who knows me understands how much I dislike evangelism of any kind – religious, sexual, political or otherwise. Each to their own I say. Some of my best buds are vegetarians – heck my darling SISTER was a veggo for a decade.
My agenda is seemingly simple and insurmountable at the same time:
To help bridge the growing gap between those who live in city and country.
Now I am not sure how things sit in other countries, but the gap in understanding between us seems to be wider than ever in Australia. Perhaps its because no longer do city folk literally have country cousins as was the case for our parents or grandparents. The connection is being lost. And a lack of understanding is making some people quite nasty.
I have heard some city people brand bushies with labels like ‘rednecks‘ and ‘rich farmers‘ and ‘pillagers of the land‘.
Just as some bushies can tar all townfolk with characteristics like ‘useless greenies‘ and ‘soft‘ and ‘completely out of touch‘.
Outbursts like this break my heart -and I happen to think each of these stances is bordering on ignorant. And the more we harp on about the deficiences of the other, the worse that city-country chasm grows.
I was very lucky in that I grew up knowing both sides (thanks to my mother’s family all being city-ites) and I have since lived in both. I have loved both. I have studied both up close and personal and seen the wonders and deficiencies in each.
And here is my overall conclusion:
WE HAVE MUCH MORE IN COMMON, THAN NOT.
And you’ll be delighted (?) to hear that I also have a theory:
IF WE FOCUS (AND BUILD ON) THESE COMMONALITIES – PROBLEMS WOULD BE NOT ONLY BE SORTED BUT GREAT POSSIBILITIES WOULD EMERGE.
IMAGINE if bushies realised that city people who ally themselves with a ‘green movement’ do so with the very same motivation that bushies use to tend their land and ensure degradation doesn’t occur? And imagine if these mostly-city-based people truly understood this truth also? That they actually shared a heartfelt love of the land, but expressed it differently. Mostly because that expression (belonging to a group or working the land in a practical manner) is taken because it is the easiest/only opportunity possible in their situation?
IMAGINE if city folk realised that the vast majority of those who farm animals actually care deeply for their welfare? Certainly I would expect that at least the same percentage do the right thing in the bush, as care properly for their own animals in town situations. Not everyone is perfect, but the vast majority do their very best. And while they understand that they are generally bred for work or eating purposes, the care taken by livestock farmers of their animals is in no way diminished – in fact if any city person ever saw a bushie after they had had to put down a sick or injured animal, they would see clearly how hard it hits them personally. Practicality doesn’t negate care. In fact, I would hazard a guess that animal activists are motivated by a very similar urge to tend as farmers and graziers – but their experience and understanding is so vastly different.
In reality, we are (mostly*) all motivated by the same good intentions – to care for the the land, to care for animals. And (I sincerely hope) to care for people too – those who care for the land and care for the animals, those who partake in the food produced this way, and those who don’t.
It’s hard when the waters are muddied by an US-versus-THEM mentality. Because really, no-one wins in this scenario.
Farmers provide food. Sure they seek to make a living from it, in the same way a lawyer expects compensation for his expertise, or a baker anticipates customers to cough up some dough (sorry!) when they pick up a loaf of bread. Bushies generally love where they live and many who have spent their lives there would find it hard to live a city-based life. Just as most city dwellers I know would be utterly lost if they tried to take up making a living as a farmer in the bush. It’s a matter of skills and experience and ability to deal with solitude (and snakes!).
Bushies are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, neighbours and friends – we make mistakes, we survive freaks of weather, we get knocked down and we get up again…
We want to see our children grow up in a place that offers them freedom and opportunity and clean air.
JUST LIKE OUR CITY COUNTERPARTS.
We are all sisters (and brothers) with the same general aim in life – to be decent people, to live well, to have good relationships, to eat well. Isn’t it time we explored the possibilities of being on the same team instead of boring in on the perceived faults of the other? (Don’t we ask this of our children when they bicker?)
IMAGINE if we used all that energy for good, and for progress, instead of beating each other around the head with nasty words?
IMAGINE if we took the time to understand the inherent goodness in each other, and refused to let ignorance fuel our own misconceptions.
IMAGINE….
Am I just being utterly naive?
I’ve thought about it long and hard, and I don’t think so. I reckon we can be grown-ups about it. Anyone else with me?
Published in passion and everlasting hope,
Yours
BB
(climbs down off soapbox and heads off to do the washing…)
——
*I am putting aside the opinions of those who wish to make the entire world conform to vegetarianism – who evangelise their own chosen way of eating. I cannot (and will not) engage with this debate. I promise I won’t force anyone to eat meat, so we should be all good! 🙂
27 Comments
Norma in Alabama
I don’t think you are naive at all. You are being true to your calling and way of life. While I certainly advocate for humane treatment of animals I don’t stop to wonder where my hamburger or chicken tenders come from. I don’t have to have meat every day but I’m no vegan either. This too shall pass and the media will find something else to write about. I appreciate what you ranchers and the ones here in the US do to feed the people.
debby
I did not click on your links. I didn’t have the heart to. We had a similar expose here in the USA some years back. There will always be bad people. No matter what. No matter where. It is wrong to stereotype all country folk as sadistic animal abusers just as it is wrong to stereotype city people as heartless gansters.
I can say for a fact that Mr I and BB have a tremendous love for the animals in their care. You’ve only to look at the cattle rescue during the floods. You’ve only to listen to Mr I speak. Or to look at BB’s pictures. You will know.
Kate
I think you should tell us how you REALLY feel, BB.
Seriously, I’m with you on this. Unfortunately, the masses can be ignorant at times. I didn’t know any of this was going on in this world and hadn’t heard about it on the news. It’s appalling, though. Need to go read more.
Sal
Thank you! So well said, and I’m with you all the way on this one. I know you have climbed down off your soapbox, but I wonder if you might like to hop back up for a while and we’ll invite our politicians to step up with you for a while and see and enjoy a similar view. Thanks for sharing your hope BB.
“Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so indispensable, none so powerful as hope. Without hope man is only half alive.” – Charles Sawyer
Marion
People ignorantly say that farmers grow “our” food – it is not “their” food until they buy it.
NT Bush Kid Megsy
**clapping loudly**
Well said ‘sister’
🙂
Kate
Side note: Wow. You are a really great writer.
This is certainly a problem in the US as well. People are completely disconnected from where their food comes from. And our poor farmers and ranchers get paid NOT to produce…but i don’t want to get on my soapbox 🙂
I’m with you. Each to their own. And you are not naive. We are all brothers and sisters and need to learn to get along and appreciate our differences instead of name calling.
I blame the media in large part…yet another soapbox i will stay off of 😉
Thank you for this post and good luck there.
Colin (HB)
Good onya BB. Well written and to the point without that soapbox!
(Colin):Born in Sydney – grew up in country – retired to city, as far as I am concerned I have done the BLOODY LOT and the sharp part of the pineapple these days is pointed at the country folk!
If only cattle, sheep and farming folk could just go on strike, Christ Almighty, wouldn’t this point the sharp part of the pineapple in another direction – bare supermarket shelves!
To be more precise, TOO much bloody Political Correctness, these days and not enough ordinary sense!
From my soapbox in Brisbane.
Again good onya, BB
Cheers
Colin
Busy Mum
Everyone has said it before me – well said BB, I agree wholeheartedly with Colin. If the bushies went on strike, I wonder what the Pollies would do to get us back on side. At least I know my family will be OK – we’ve got 2000 head of cattle (which we do sometimes sell as Live Export – not to Indoneasia) and a vergie garden big enough to get us through – wonder what other people would do for food?
You see on the news nearly every day about people abusing their children or pets, but no ban is put on the whole nation to stop having kids or buying puppies – why do a few idiots get to shut down a HUGE industry and get to ruin 100’s of lives???
Nicki
A Novel Woman
Great post BB. My kids, now grown, have always insisted on buying meat that comes from “happy cows” (or chickens, turkeys, etc.) in other words, ethically raised and slaughtered. So we buy 1/2 a cow directly from a local farmer who raises his cattle without hormones, and then has them slaughtered and butchered locally as well. We put money directly into Mr. Clark’s pocket, and his beef tastes better than supermarket beef so it’s a win/win for us.
Kylie
Well said BB – like you I am fortunate enough to have experienced both sides of the fence (much preferring the more bushier side of the fence) and like you I am also a lover not a fighter but occassionally one needs to get the “poo” off their liver!
It is a shame there are more people with bleeding hearts than commonsense in this beautiful wide brown (with a greenish tinge atm) land. Keep on farmin’ BB!
Lynda M O
Well said, BB, may each step we take lead the way to Peace: in our homes, our hearts, our world.
Fleur McDonald
Beautifully put.
Linda
Ahh yes! The fight to make the world perfect at the cost of others. I have lived this same fight for years and years and years. We try to have safe and non evasive farming practices, I worked with coal miners until I retired two weeks ago, the fight there daily is the enviros ‘need’ to close down coal mines. Of course they don’t think about where they get the electricity that charges up thier hybred car or powers thier kitchen.
Well said BB… well said.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Leenie
I say,AMEN, BB. Having the ability to send messages worldwide in an instant is a two-edged sword. Painting those we don’t understand with a broad brush is the other problem. As you said, we have to remember we are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, neighbors and friends. Learn the truth before you jump.
Nancy in Iowa
I’m with you, BB. We’ve had enough exposure in the US of horrifying practices not only with cattle but with puppy mills and chicken pens that I can truly understand your soapbox plea.
Sorry I haven’t posted lately, but Iowa (along with other Missouri River states) is currently consumed with the flood news. I can’t help but think of Australia’s situation just a few months ago.
Kelly
Oh, man….this is SUCH a good post!! I can relate to all of this on so many levels! I grew up in a small town, but have lived in the country the past 25 years where we’ve raised beef cattle for the last 6 or 8 of those years. We also spent several years raising goats which were occasionally sold for meat (though I preferred them to be brush clearers and lawn mowers since I normally named them at birth!) Yes, I was a vegetarian for 8 years, but during that same time I continued to hunt, fish, and cook meat for my family. (ha!…a hunting vegetarian!) In addition to our hunting and fishing my husband is a trapper. Talk about something surrounded by misconceptions!
Anyway….it would be easy for me to get up on a soapbox about a variety of things here, but I won’t. I’ll just say I think you did a wonderful job of stating your opinions and I applaud you!
Elizabeth Gearey
Well done, Bush Babe & all the others who have added their two bob’s worth.
There are some more questions though that, so far don’t seem to have been asked regarding the appaling cruelty @ some abattoirs in Indonesia: Does a job that requires regular, bloody killing of anything, for any reason and in any manner, over a period of time finally destroy the souls of those individuals involed until they become sadists, weirdos & bastards? Or, does such a job attract people with twisted personalities in the same way that work with children will attract paedophiles?
Here the comment must be made — such dreadful people are not confined to any one race or religion but exist, mostly underground, in every population, colour or creed on the planet. And, so do good people!
debby
You know, Elizabeth, I have often found myself wondering the same thing. For a person to do this sort of work day after day would require him to distance himself from the animal, to see that animal as nothing at all. When you view something as nothing, it’s easy to mistreat it. I know husbands who can treat their wives badly for that very reason. And vice versa.
JENNY TALIA
BB for Prime Minister…!!!…someone get on that, could ya?
Oh, I take my LARGE steak medium rare – with a side of ‘punch in the face’ for anyone who’s got a problem with it
Which is why I probably wouldn’t make a good PM
Well said BB – even us one-sided US vs THEM chicks like me, couldn’t agree with you more on this
So well written…as usual my friend
JT
x
Amanda
Amen SISTER!!
jeanie
Ah, you are singing my song – definitely need a bit more understanding.
On The Insiders today, there was some politian waffling on this today.
The only way he could lend his weight to any argument on it was because a (very valid) point was raised about it being an economic touchstone for remote Aboriginal communities in the north. Obviously he hadn’t thought of THAT factor, and his back-peddling was entertaining (although not as entertaining as kids TV on the other channel).
The amount of effort that is put towards us becoming a one trick pony as a Nation will get me wound up for hours, though, so I will just applaud your post.
Mrs catch
I’m with you sister. If only we could all get inside each others heads to truly understand…Oh wait, I just wrote a blog about that.
Empathy is so vital to good relationships – whether it be between individuals, communities or nations. It’s important to see the big picture – one that includes everyone.
Jayne
You’re not niave but the growing gap has been getting wider in the past few years and the media is determined to use it to sell copy.
Colin (HB)
A very interesting collection of comments, BB.
I believe that you have done the right thing. I wonder whether the politicans on either side, who love to “waffle” ( has turned me off my waffles with honey), will ever see what you have written.
Maybe send your thoughts to the Premier and your local member.
Jayne: Above this comment – truer words re: media and what they do, will do etc. is positively sickening. 99.9% of them have probably never been on a cattle or sheep property, never seen any cattle/sheep, as for various breeds – make that 100%.
I wish they would all go back to wherever Planet XYZ is, and stay there. They are overpaid, exotistical maniacs!
Colin (HB).
Colin
Carol/Red Dirt in My Soul
Good post! Like you, I see myself as out here just telling our daily stories… letting people know how we work, what we do. We’ve found common ground between Wyoming and Australia, and quite easily… I never could figure out why our “opponents” couldn’t see common ground with us just as easily. You’ve pointed out great ways break up those misconceptions. Let’s just keep on posting our everyday lives, we never know who’s reading, we might be the quiet forces of change!
Linda
Very well said. Common sense seems to be declining these days. You’re NOT naive and I’m hoping for the same things.