{"id":781909,"date":"2026-09-07T10:32:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T14:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=781909"},"modified":"2026-09-07T10:52:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T14:52:21","slug":"the-eyes-have-it-stop-looking-at-the-vegan-look-your-victim-in-their-eyes-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=781909","title":{"rendered":"THE EYES HAVE IT: Stop looking at the vegan, look your victim in their eyes instead"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a vegan challenges animal exploitation, the conversation often moves away from the individual being exploited. Suddenly, the discussion becomes: \u201cWhat about the animals killed in crop harvesting?\u201d \u201cWhat about plants?\u201d \u201cWhat about farmers?\u201d \u201cWhat about this exception?\u201d \u201cWhat about that hypothetical?\u201d Notice what happened. The animal disappeared from the conversation. Instead of asking why anyone should be entitled to use them, we start searching for reasons why we should be allowed to continue. Next time you\u2019re talking to a vegan, stop looking at the vegan. Look at your victim instead. Picture a baby animal standing in front of you. A chick. A calf. A bunny. A lamb. A piglet. Someone who wants nothing from you except to be left alone.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

BEN MAZAYA:<\/strong> Are you someone who agrees that humans should respect animals? If so this message is for you. If you don\u2019t agree, then go see a therapist and stop reading.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next time you\u2019re talking to a vegan, stop looking at the vegan.<\/em><\/p>\n

Look at your victim instead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Picture a baby animal standing in front of you.<\/em><\/p>\n

A chick. A calf. A bunny. A lamb. A piglet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Someone who wants nothing from you except to be left alone.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now imagine looking directly at them and saying:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHey. Fuck you. I\u2019m going to exploit you for my purposes. But please let me keep believing that I respect you. Let me call myself an animal lover. Let me tell myself I care about you. I just don\u2019t want to give up my right to use you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Would that sound like respect?<\/em><\/p>\n

Or would it sound like what it actually is: entitlement to another individual?<\/em><\/p>\n

The conversation usually changes when the victim disappears<\/em><\/p>\n

When a vegan challenges animal exploitation, the conversation often moves away from the individual being exploited.<\/em><\/p>\n

Suddenly, the discussion becomes:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the animals killed in crop harvesting?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about plants?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about farmers?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about this exception?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about that hypothetical?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Notice what happened.<\/em><\/p>\n

The animal disappeared from the conversation.<\/em><\/p>\n

Instead of asking why anyone should be entitled to use them, we start searching for reasons why we should be allowed to continue.<\/em><\/p>\n

It becomes a game of moral hide-and-seek.<\/em><\/p>\n

Anything to avoid sitting with the original question:<\/em><\/p>\n

Why do you believe you have the right to exploit animals?<\/em><\/p>\n

That is the question that matters.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not whether exploitation can be made more convenient.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not whether a particular method looks more acceptable.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not whether someone can construct a hypothetical in which another form of exploitation exists.<\/em><\/p>\n

The question is whether another individual exists for you to use…<\/em><\/p>\n

Look at them, not your excuses<\/em><\/p>\n

Imagine removing every distraction.<\/em><\/p>\n

No vegan standing across from you.<\/em><\/p>\n

No argument to win.<\/em><\/p>\n

No comment section.<\/em><\/p>\n

No labels.<\/em><\/p>\n

No identity to protect.<\/em><\/p>\n

Just you and the individual you claim to respect.<\/em><\/p>\n

A baby animal standing in front of you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Someone whose freedom you could either recognize or deny.<\/em><\/p>\n

What would love look like then?<\/em><\/p>\n

What would respect look like?<\/em><\/p>\n

Would it mean finding a more convincing justification for using them?<\/em><\/p>\n

Or would it mean finally letting go of the belief that they exist for you to use?<\/em><\/p>\n

Stop looking for the excuse that allows you to keep exploiting them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Look at them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then ask yourself honestly:<\/em><\/p>\n

What would love or respect truly look like if you actually meant it? <\/em>SOURCE<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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