Letter writer: The art of butchery is the art of killing

Graphic by Lori Deaton

I found the recent article entitled, “The Art of Butchery” [July 15, Xpress], very sad and disturbing. Being a vegetarian for so many years, I find it so peculiar and even shocking to read something like this.

For most people, there truly is a disconnect with what they put in their mouth and their core values. Taste trumps ethics. I grew up in the Midwest, so [I] grew up with meat in my diet. My parents were thoughtful people, but this subject was not thought about. Taking things a step further, I cannot imagine becoming a butcher, and the article had an upbeat tone of “Wow, try this.”

Yet the sentence that is pivotal in the article reads, “but we don’t necessarily want the backstage tour from field to plate.” I am sure you do not. Because it would involve witnessing cruelty, suffering, pigs screaming and other details that I am sure would make you uneasy and sad.

I know meat tastes good. I know some will read about becoming a butcher and will delight in this. Yet, we are meant to mature and evolve. We are meant to develop our compassion for all and delight in this compassion. I hope the few who read this will also be moved and pause and reflect about what their tender hearts tell them.

— Miriam Hard
Asheville

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