The other day I had a discussion with a friend about the practice (now thats already prejudiced:) or culture or custome of a dog-based diet.I told her I did not like it at all.In fact I went on to elaborate that the reason was because dogs were our friends.My point of view was I would not eat my ¨friends¨!
My friend brought forward (sounds like a T Account,no?)an interesting point of view.In fact it was more of a spirited opinion.She said ¨Im tired of hearing people persistently complaining about this custom and saying it is disgusting.Im also fedúp of remarks like that its because its eating your friends.What about domesticaed pigs,chickens and turkey on a farm and also been eaten by the owners?¨
Well,yes,what about them.The animals are part of the homestead.The farm family might even start to give the animals names in a gesture of fondness.However,the reality is some of these animals get slaughtered for lunch or dinner.This topic which is usually a source of some tasteless (for lack of a better word!) jokes about some Asian nations snapped me to my reality of prejudice.
Am I prejudiced in my anti-prejudice behaviour.Am I a hypocrite or am I a classic example of environmental conditioning?I dont undermine people who eat dogs.However,I would be lying if I said I wouldn be shocked by the practice when I witness it.This reaction does not erase the fact that my opinion of:
Dogs are our trusted loyal friends.They respond and bond better in human relations,as a reason for my aversion for the custom is flawed!
While growing up in rural South Africa,we had livestock in our yard.And at some point the chicken we saw hatch from the dry mealie stalk egg-nest,ended up in our supper plates.The aversion is therefore not based on objectivity,but on subjective conditioning from childhood.This conditioning,not only about diet,has defined realities and norms for so many aspect of my life as long as I could make some independent choices-in a good and bad way.I am now relearning,unlearning and learning from scratch,given all this information,how do I proceed.
I like one Bhuddist quote which says ¨When the student is ready, the master appears.¨Im getting ready everyday!
Note:Im a practicing Christian and dont necessarily believe or follow Bhuddism!
PS:This article is not at all attempting to depict one opinion or custom as superior to another.The author is also sensitive and against all types of cruelty to animals.
