In reference to “All Up in Your Grill” [Xpress, Aug. 8], although the specifics of each party’s behavior as reported were, well, a bit vague, I still feel the need to comment about the confrontation between local animal activists and Malaprop’s.
As for Malaprop’s policy of “[asking] anyone who treats our authors or staff with disrespect to leave”—if there is an issue of respect, truly it is in regard to the animals whose very lives are at stake, not those individuals who happen to make their livelihoods profiting from those animals’ continued oppression. I can see why Mr. Thompson and his daughter, as well as Malaprop’s, got upset about the demonstration, but I think it is important to recognize that this was not really a personal attack on the author or his book. I believe the Davids’ intention was to incite people to truly consider the ethical, moral and even environmental implications of the exploitation and consumption of animals, rather than mindlessly following tradition—turning a blind eye to and participating in society’s problematic treatment of species other than our own.
On another note: I thought it funny that Thompson suggested he didn’t understand why the Davids were boycotting a book, especially one that includes vegetarian recipes. First of all, is he honestly implying that any serious vegetarian—let alone vegan—is going to be interested in a book with a cover image of an animal carcass carved into the shape of our nation? Second, the fact that Thompson included some recipes that don’t encourage the slavery, exploitation, slaughter and eventual consumption of sentient beings (popularly known as livestock) doesn’t make the rest of his book acceptable to those of us who choose not to support such industries.
P.S.: I am always secretly excited to see a new letter war (as I expect is coming) in the Mountain Xpress between those for and against animal liberation, because it means that the issue is alive and kicking, as it very well should be.
— Rebekah David
Asheville
Editor’s note: Rebekah David is not related to the Davids in the referenced article.
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