We’re Being Bold and Embracing Optimism!
Dear Friends
2022: Comes after 2021, a year most of us are happy to leave behind.
I’ve been unsure how to write about the year that is opening before us, so have taken time to let some weeks pass. And I’m glad that I did. Because after some contemplation on how to view the year ahead, I’ve made a conscious and determined decision to embrace ‘Bold Optimism.’ And I’m inviting you to do the same.
What do I mean by ‘Bold Optimism?’ I mean that in spite of finishing what was a difficult year for so many of us, I intend to keep my mind focused on progress and am refusing to be discouraged.
The climate crisis is increasingly evident with catastrophic flooding, wildfires and other disasters around the planet. It’s just as evident that our governments refuse to take meaningful action in spite of their promises and lectures. They talk about change with the hope of attracting voters while maintaining much of the status quo with their support for industries contributing to the climate crisis.
The pandemic drags on, making it more difficult for us to be with our friends and family. But the pandemic has also shone a light on terrible animal cruelty, particularly for farmed animals, and has also precipitated greater coverage of their plight. The increased coverage of their suffering gives me hope.
Let’s take this opportunity to fight for real change. Let’s keep pushing against animal-based agriculture and advocate for more consumption of plant-based food. Let’s keep pushing corporations and our governments to change harmful practices, like excessive logging and logging in old growth forests, like the culling of wild animals, like allowing puppies to be produced in puppy mills, like the use of animals in research laboratories. Let’s be relentless in our opposition to the exploitation of animals and the planet itself. And let’s do all of this boldly and with optimism.
Each of us has power to effect change in our own lives and in our own communities. I know that many of you do just that, by engaging with your elected representatives and by adjusting your lifestyles to lessen your impact on animals and the natural world. All of this, every action, is meaningful. And of course, we will continue to push our governments to adopt the policies that our planet and animals require. So, let’s keep pushing, and let’s do so boldly.
To be an animal advocate is to be bold. It’s a wildly bold idea that animals are our partners on this planet, not our servants or resources for our use. We boldly push against centuries-old traditions and beliefs about the status of animals while we work toward a completely new human-animal relationship.
This year, as we move further into 2022, I’m encouraging you to be optimistic too. Many of you have told me that you are feeling a bit ‘beaten up’ by the state of things. Yet, as I review the changes that our work, together, has brought about for animals since our inception in 1990, along with those of our colleagues around the world, it’s clear that we are making a meaningful difference.
At Animal Alliance we will make this year count. Because thanks to you, we are strong. Our movement is expanding. Our voices are growing louder.
As 2022 unfolds, let’s resolve to continue our work in a way that is audacious, determined and boldly optimistic.
With gratitude and affection,
Liz White
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