by Aran M

Created on: August 05, 2009   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

As an animal rights activist, I know people often assume I don't care about humans and I'm sure on occasions I don't help that perception either. As an animal activist you are constantly bombarded with the many, many ways animals are abused by humans and the slow pace of change can make you very angry. But when it comes to a choice between human and non-human animals I think it is a complete non-issue. We can care about both.

Those within the animal rights movement also care about other campaigns and issues from anti-fascism to feeding the third world. Caring about those in fur and feathers doesn't preclude caring about the rights of those with skin who stand on two legs. The fact someone is vegan and goes on animal rights protests doesn't stop them buying Fairtrade products and donating to a local children's charity.

Animal rights are built upon a solid foundation of the acceptance of the rights of man, without these rights the backbone of the argument for animal rights would be diminished. The animal rights movement is about the rights of all beings regardless of species, ultimately it is about all of us.

Many of those that oppose the rights of animals argue the animal rights people waste time on the rights of other species and don't care about the rights of people. However these people are often doing little to better the human condition themselves. The animal rights activist on the other hand whilst focusing on animals in many cases, often shows solidarity and support to campaigns for human beings across the world.

Martin Luther King put it well when he said "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". We must take a stand against sweatshop labour, the fur trade, animal testing, provide aid to the third world and the elderly couple that don't have the money to pay their heating bills. All those who want a better world must unite. Let us not judge which cause is more important but instead offer support to each other and each other's causes - we can't agree on everything but where there is common ground let us unite. Together we are stronger.

In conclusion there is simply no choice between humans and non-human animals, a fight for justice must be all inclusive. We are all in this together, let's support those fighting for human rights and poverty prevention, those supporting the protection of the environment and those that campaign for the rights of the other animals on this planet. At the end of the day biologically we are all animals, so let us stand up for all our rights.

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