During the ecofeminism conference we held here in Montana last April, there was a heated debate about the vegetarian question. One interesting question that was brought up was whether or not the whole vegetarian issue came out of an elitist, racist mindset. Whoah, ho, did that create a little rabble. But in part I can see some truth in it. I mean a vegetarian or vegan ethic *IS* a useful tool to help us overcome oppression, but what about, say, in a Native American context? The natives of this area hunted and fished and ATE MEAT. Okay, it's in a different context... there was a reverance there for the life being taken... a personal relationship between the animal and the hunter, between the eaten and the tribe. They danced and honored that which was consumed. So does that make it less domination? Right now the government is killing BUFFALO to save COWS because of MONEY. Interestingly enough, Francoise d'Eaubonne thought that the whole vegetarian issue sideskirted more important issue like nuclear proliferation, pollution, and population. I personally think they're all intertwined. Just some thoughts from Montana (cow country), where meat meets meat. paisain
