Chickens Are People, Too

In the New York Times Magazine article titled "The Barnyard Strategist," Maggie Jones reveals concerns for animal rights that have been brought into the limelight by the Humane Society's President Wayne Pacelle. The opening scene is of Pacelle at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company in Chino, California after it had been shut down as a result of his undercover investigation at the slaughterhouse. This research uncovered the cruel conditions under which animals were being treated and it led to the largest beef recall in U.S. History. After providing the specific details of that particular, and poignant, scene, she branches out into broader issues of animal cruelty and action being taken against it by discussing Proposition 2, a legislative ballot propositioned by Pacelle to improve animal welfare in California. The article also offers perspectives of opposition to Proposition 2--a political issue said to be as controversial as Barack Obama's campaign--arguing that such a large amount of food is produced through methods of caging that the legislation would put many industries out of business. Such opposition includes voices from Ryan Armstrong, an egg producer in Valley Center, California who states in the article, "Do we want chickens to flap their wings? Or do we want to eat?" Another extreme is presented in Alex Hershaft, the founder of the FARM (Farm Animal Rights Movement) organization who opposes Proposition 2 and argues that meat should be eliminated from the American diet altogether.

Through many different perspectives, this article captures the controversy that has been stirred through the motions taken toward animal welfare. Throughout the article, Pacelle is used as a heroic figure to the movement which allows for interesting, detailed scenes and great quotes to provide a compelling and reverberating ending. This article creates a sense of compassion toward mistreated and abused animals, but also deals with the reality of opposing forces against a movement toward a kinder, cleaner environment for farm animals.