My view

Save the turkeys

By CYNTHIA NASH
Posted 11/24/24

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, just before Thanksgiving, have asked people not to buy turkey.  Very nice for anyone who is in a position of privilege to pontificate about the well-being of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
My view

Save the turkeys

Posted

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, just before Thanksgiving, have asked people not to buy turkey.  Very nice for anyone who is in a position of privilege to pontificate about the well-being of turkeys and to do it while a far more horrific slaughter is happening in Gaza, not to mention the vile cornucopia of human suffering that is happening endlessly globally.

Living an ethical life, living with a consciousness of the value of life, is not anything to be dismissed.  But the way to a kinder, gentler world is not going to happen as long as celebrities and others judge the choices of people who are struggling day-to-day just to get food on their tables.  It is telling that when Phoenix and Mara advocate for turkeys, they don’t suggest bringing at least one vegetarian Thanksgiving feast to homebound neighbors, or to a family struggling to survive.

Conscious eating is something to be admired and pursued. Being aware of our food, how it was raised and harvested, is worthy of personal choice and public advocacy. 

Unfortunately, food insecurity curses the lives of countless people. Until food production can supply equitable affordable food, asking people not to buy turkeys which are often cheaper than vegetables seems well-intentioned but ultimately clueless. 

 Until we truly live standing for the well-being of our fellow humans, from overcoming food and housing insecurity,  the lack of health care and equitable education, until we stand against the kind of slaughter that is happening in Gaza financed with U.S. dollars, until we say "No more," turkeys and all creatures great and small will continue to suffer.

But when that happens, we will truly have something for which to gather together in global thanksgiving.

Cynthia Nash lives in Milanville, PA.

Thanksgiving, suffering, Gaza, war, turkeys, food insecurity

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here