The majority of people consume meat multiple times a day without considering where it comes from. But in the case of meat, the place of origin is emotionally, medically, politically and environmentally disturbing, and like many other dark corners of the excessively capitalistic system America houses, most people are blind to it.
The term “humane killing” that slaughterhouses use to describe their methods sometimes includes hanging the animal by its hind legs and slitting its throat while it is still alive, often in front of their own kind, which can be traumatizing. But before they can be put out of their misery, they are forced to survive mistreatment from the factory farm workers; these workers will kick, prod and electrocute the animals. The mistreatment leaves them with open wounds, and because of their cramped living conditions, diseases and infections spread quickly. During transportation of the animals, diseases can be spread to pig farms across the country in a matter of weeks.
This could be remedied quickly, but enforced regulatory veterinary inspections can be rare because there are insufficient regulations governing the meat industry. Just like many other industries, its capital grants political strength and nigh invulnerability. With this political power, meat-producing corporations have been able to decrease the support of bills passing that would regulate any of their business. Prominent corporations have even been able to get laws passed preventing anyone who has ever worked for the media from accessing their factory farms and slaughterhouses, making it difficult to discern what happens behind closed doors (not unlike the situation before Gustavus Franklin Swift’s invention of the refrigerated rail cart and the meat-related epidemics that inspired Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”).
Even when presented with these facts, many people cling to their fleshy addiction, citing “nutrition," “convenience” and “finance.” To that I present the following facts: Black beans have proved to be higher in iron and fiber than beef (per 100 grams), while beef contains fat, cholesterol, carcinogens, unwanted hormones and superbugs, none of which plague the mighty black bean. Black beans are much more efficient than their bovine counterparts, for the beans produce less greenhouse gas and consume less fresh water. Considering that the reader is most likely a college student and in the same financial boat as myself, I’ll also add that black beans and black bean items are cheaper than beef. And lastly, black bean burgers just taste way better than the alternative.
Forty percent of world grain supplies is used to raise animals for meat. If North American meat consumption were reduced by even 10 percent, the continent would save enough grain to feed millions of people. Don’t doubt your efficacy. Ceasing your support for the meat industry would better your life, the lives of millions of animals and the life of Mother Nature herself.