Hello Humans,
Recently I learned about a comic strip called "Lola Lollipop" whose author often uses irony and sarcasm to discuss vegetarianism and specifically veganism, in which people try to reduce the suffering of sentient beings by avoiding all animal products.
Apparently quite a few non-vegetarians like this comic strip because the wry humor helps them consider the points being made without feeling terribly affronted by them. Many vegetarians can also relate well to the situations in which the character Lola finds herself.
I especially related to these comics:
143. Pet Cow - Lola Lollipop Comic Strip
145. Animals in the Meat Industry Don't Suffer
http://lolalollipop.com/139-christmas-ham/
http://lolalollipop.com/136-moral-codes-killing/
I like how the author includes thoughtful quotes after each strip, such as this one that I hadn't heard before but feel is very true:
"Custom will reconcile people to any atrocity." -- George Bernard Shaw
Reading and appreciating the irony in the Lola Lollipop comic strip inspired me to write the song, "Our Kind," because I realized I haven't used much sarcasm and irony in my lyrics and maybe humor is an effective technique for breaking through to some meat-eaters.
This song is based on my experiences as a vegan living among mostly meat-eaters. I use the song to describe not only them, but also something I've never felt comfortable with, which is myself trying to "keep the peace" in situations in which I confront what I view as an atrocity, such as the tradition of people killing the Christmas pig and putting her or him on the table to celebrate "love" and "kindness" and "peace on earth."
This phrase "keeping the peace" also relates to meat-eaters who refuse to acknowledge the pain of animals to which their eating habits contribute. Sometimes all the "peace" in these animal-eating orgies makes me sick.
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"Our Kind" by Erica
Oh you’re so kind.
You never mind when people
make your meal that used to feel.
You don’t care on whom you’ve dined.
Oh you’re so good.
You always do as you should.
You base your decisions on traditions,
whether or not they’re understood
because you know
you make the world a better place.
It doesn’t matter if your food had a face.
Nothing you do could make you fall from grace
for you want to be merciful though you’ve never tried,
but it’s the thought that counts and you’ve got love inside.
You’re not a liar so of course you’ve never lied.
In your mind you’re kind.
You always thank the cook in kitchen
for shoving roasts and hams in the oven,
and when the meal is done
you ask the hostess, “May I be excused?”
But what about for all the animals you’ve used?!
Oh you’re so sweet.
You overlook whom you eat.
You’re just so thankful your plate is full
of legs and ribs, a tasty treat.
You’re so polite.
You keep the slaughter out of sight.
You say, “Please pass the meat”
and use a knife to be neat
for you’ve been brought up right
because you know
what matters is the superficial.
La de da, life is wonderful.
You keep the peace though it’s artificial
because you know nobody should ever complain
about someone else’s suffering and pain.
Killing is fine but don’t take god’s name in vain
because you’re kind.
You have such lovely table manners.
You’re so intent not to offend.
As blood is pooling on your plate
you just ignore the souls you ate
for they’re the means and you’re the end,
always justified.
Oh you’re so kind,
you never mind when people
make your meal that used to squeal.
You don’t care on whom you’ve dined.
You don’t care that they’re confined
because your kind,
you’re so kind,
so good and kind,
so sweet and kind,
oh your kind.
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