TEXT ASSIGNMENT 1

Protest for Animal Rights

It is stated that every state in the United States and the District of Columbia has a law prohibiting cruelty to animals.  These laws do not give animal’s rights per say, but do afford some legal protection.  The purposes of these laws is to prevent violence by humans in any form as well as to protect animals from mistreatment and cruelty by imposing a penalty for those acts.  Most of these laws fall under the purpose of morality, meaning the purpose is not to protect the animals, but to keep people on the straight and constricted vows of respect for animals.  Whatever the reason, many more states are recognizing that animal cruelty, neglect and abuse are serious issues.  There are now 41 states plus the District of Columbia with felony provisions for animal cruelty

            Throughout my post, I will discuss animal cruelty within experimental research, food production and housing pets.  The first law passed for animal welfare was enacted December 24, 1970, (Public Law 91-579) expands the list of animals covered by the Act to include all warm-blooded animals determined by the Secretary of Agriculture as being used or intended for use in experimentation or exhibition (except horses not used in research and farm animals used in food and fiber research) a later law was passed for these animals we will get more into that later. Exhibitors are included into the act and research facilities are defined. Retail pet stores, state and county fairs, rodeos, purebred dog and cat shows, and agricultural exhibition s are exempt from the Act. This makes me wonder why they would exclude these others animals? Was it because it would hurt production and/or profits?  The Secretary is directed to develop regulations regarding recordkeeping, humane care and treatment of animals in or during retail, display, experimentation, and transport. There is also mention of inspections, and appropriate anesthetics, analgesics, and tranquilizers.

            Another act passed was on November 28, 1990 and established a hold period for dogs and cats at shelters and other holding facilities before sale to dealers.  This law gave people basically a second chance to find their animal incase of a run away or mishap.  However the need for more pounds and housing units for unclaimed animals was rising, therefore new places were being made for housing more and more animals.  Giving someone beloved lost pet a second chance. 

            Taking a deeper look into one of the questions asked, how does mass society theory play its role in animal cruelty?  Well referring back to the class text, The Social Movements Reader Cases and concepts by Jeff Goodwin and James M Jasper they described this theory as follows: “Mass society” argued that social discontented individuals could join social movements in order to maintain happiness.  These might be trade unions, individual and government, aggregating individual preferences and proving outlets for letting off steam.  These “regular” organizations were thought to be stable and normal for healthy, unlike social movements.  This brings to mind in case of animal cruelty the vast majority of individual movements in which take place.  People around the world hold organizations and support groups to help but and end or at least bring to surface the horrible effects of animal abuse there are.  PETA, an organization against the usage of animal torture, fur, meat, and exposure has grown greatly.  This facility started out just like any other organization but it had a greater impact on its truths to the public and made heads turn, in the right direction.  Celebrities are hoping on board to help promote the nature of animals being pure and to not forget about animal rights and treating them with respect.  With PETAS innovative ways of capturing the publics attention for this very serious matter was great.  Helping to awaken the large public views on such an important matter.  Which demonstrates how everyone can help to make a change.  PETA would also be known as a mobilization resource, this means that these social movements usually consisted of formal organizations; in this case PETA would be the facility.  The usual prerequisite for becoming a mobilization resource, for any organization must have a certain level of resources, especially money to sustain it.  Pita has many people who fund this organization causing it to grow amongst the pubic. 

            The standard explanation for social movement mobilization, known as political process theory, emphasizes the role of political opportunities, mobilizing configurations, and framing routes, along with objection rotation and debatable repetition.  This theory is often argued that its success or failure of social movements is primarily affected by political opportunities.  Meaning that if the issue holds up to political viewpoints it is usually seen as rather important, many issue are not head of as high of importance because it cannot withstand political structure.  For example Gay marriage has seen its time of political spotlight but because of the diverse background and the many ideals people have it has a difficult time holding its own because it has very mixed emotions.  Animal cruelty holds its own in which no one wants to see any animal being abused and people are more likely to fight for animal rights then for something they have very mixed emotions about. 

            Cultural and emotional approaches are also key in having a backed protest.  In order to have a fully viewed testimony you much involve your culture, in Animal cruelty’s case, protesters often you the shocking information tactic.  Showing gruesome photos and facts about animal abuse in many different examples.  For example Pitas videos in which you can watch on youtube show you the true and horrifying facts about what some animal organization do.  Food service, especially fast food industries pay very little compared to higher end restaurants for their food, using every part of the animals and in some cases animals in which you did not know you were eating.  These animals are born and raise for slaughter and live an inhumane life while alive for their short and brutal existence.  It is what people do not know about this information that is what is keeping them protected.  Bring these matters to light shows people what has been hidden behind the scenes and made more aware for the public eye.  Now that more people are aware of what has been happening over decades of abuse people are starting to fight for more humane handling of animals, all animals.  Emotional tactics are also key because then you are pulling at consumers heart strings, not covering up any of the detailed issues that are usually left covered and unspoken are vital to gaining full attention from the public. 

I think though that the most important theory discussed would have to be a tie between mass society theory and culture and emotional approaches.  In order to make your cases seen and felt you need to gain the communities attention and show them what they are missing but what is in deed happening to innocent animals.  With these two valued aspects you can enter peoples heart to help better animals and save them from lives that seem a lot more like living in hell.