On Saturday we read a very offensive and short-sighted comment from Irish singer/songwriter Morrissey in regards to the entire country of China in terms of their animal rights laws. Because Moz does not agree with the way China handles animal rights, he labeled the entire country of people a “subspecies” of human being. Today we learn that Morrissey is NOT backing down from his statement, in fact, he is trying to reinforce his comment by calling China’s stance on animal rights “indefensible”:
The outspoken former Smiths frontman, a longtime vegetarian and animal rights advocate, told the Guardian Weekend magazine: “Did you see the thing on the news about their treatment of animals and animal welfare? Absolutely horrific. You can’t help but feel that the Chinese are a subspecies.” The interview was done by poet Simon Armitage, who told the Guardian: “I thought at the time it was a dangerous thing to say into a tape recorder. He must have known it would make waves, he’s not daft. But he’s provocative and theatrical, and it was one of dozens of dramatic pronouncements. I’m not an apologist for that kind of remark, and couldn’t ignore it. But clearly, when it comes to animal rights and animal welfare, he’s absolutely unshakable in his beliefs. In his view, if you treat an animal badly, you are less than human. I think that was his point” … [Morrissey is] not backing down on this one. He later said in a statement: “If anyone has seen the horrific and unwatchable footage of the Chinese cat and dog trade – animals skinned alive – then they could not possibly argue in favour of China as a caring nation. There are no animal protection laws in China and this results in the worst animal abuse and cruelty on the planet. It is indefensible.”
Again, while I feel like Morrissey‘s heart is in the right place, the way he goes about trying to make his point is completely wrong. Do I agree that animal rights laws in China could be improved? Yes. Actually, I believe that animal rights laws could be improved everywhere in the world, the US included. I just take huge issue with Moz labeling all the people of China as a “subspecies”. Might there be extremely inhumane people out there? Of course there are but it is silly and wrong, IMHO, to attack an entire race of people based on the actions of others. The really unfortunate side effect of all of this controversy is that Morrissey is now hurting the animal rights cause because of his outrageously offensive commentary.
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i think that what he is getting at is that if an entire nation can’t get its animal legislature together, what does that say about that nation? obviously most chinese people would never dream of hurting a little doggy or kitty, but when you see such progressive laws in north america, that hundreds of thousands of people have fought for, you have to wonder why china hasn’t caught up even in basic animal cruelty laws. we have gay marriage, legalized marijuana (limited, of course). i understand that the people in china don’t have as much say as we do in our democratic country, but if the people there cared about animal rights as much as north america does, legislation would have been passed decades ago.
it is a shame that he had to be so mean and bold about his views, but i appreciate him not backing down. i hate when people back track on their words.
^
I think we should be more worried and concerned for the basic human rights in China before we start worrying about animal rights. It is a communist country the people do not have the power to be pushing legislation like that.
I agree with Hannah here – China needs to get some human rights first before it can even approach issues of animal rights. Consider for instance that the death penalty there is applied to crimes like prostitution and drug dealing.
This is not surprising coming from Morrissey.. I adore him but he is a bit too dramatic sometimes. But I think he knows exactly what he’s saying and what the reaction will be. I actually doubt he means it in the racist way it sounds… he’s just making a very dramatic point. I agree that he doesn’t help the cause when he talks like this.
although i understand where he’s coming from, his statement and his refusal to apologize shows how immature his line of thinking is.
he didn’t say anything about race. which makes sense since the idea of race has no scientific basis..
Hannah has a great point. I also know there are people in China who love animals and want the laws changed. But it’s true, they can’t do much because of their form of government.
How about this: ANYONE who’s abusive or inhumane to an animal IS a subspecies. Regardless of where they live or what race they are.
Of course, you can’t condemn an entire country of people for something they don’t ALL do.
Well, you could, but it wouldn’t help your cause very much… and it would make you sound like an asshole.
Come on – why is this such a surprise? Morrissey has built a career around his outrageous exaggerated comments – this is tame compared to some – and also, Morrissey is from Manchester, England – not Ireland – his parents were Irish but emigrated to the UK prior to his birth-
One person can when see other brutalize an animal say something and instruct the brutalizer that what is being done is wrong.When you do not say anything you are as guilty as the brutalizer.That is what Morrissey is saying.Some sin by commision and some by ommision but both are wrong.
So he said a few mean words. Pbtth..
I basically could not care less what he said or what he believed in unless he himself went there and try to save the animal himself. Maybe I’ll care a bit then.
That is the most ignorant thing I ever heard. But that’s to be expected from a brainless old man whose not in touch with are society today.
Luckily I don’t care for Morrissey and his music. Never had and never well but speaking for my people not every chinese person is this way.
I’m old enough to have been around when Morrisey/ The Smith when thye were popular, and I cant stand him or his music, but good on him for having a go at the Chinese.
I am more sickened by the Chinese as I believe it will be them who will be responsible for making the Tiger extinct. I hope they can live with themselves. Stupid deluded nation!
..big mouth strike again..
@tintammare — Perfect.Comment.Ever.
Nope Im on board with Moz on this one, human and animal rights… it’s pathetic and shameful and to think that this is now the 2nd most powerful economy in the world … I leave you to draw your own conclusions…
I have nothing against chinese ppl at all, but the whole thing about animal rights and all is so true. I’ve watched vids and pic of how dogs and cats are just killed either for food or just b/c. Police will go out and if they find a stray dog or cat, even if it’s not a stray they will bludgeon it to death, there is nothing human about something like that.
Also for all you fur wearers, and “fake” fur too, research racoon dogs, they grab them by the legs and repeatedly smash them into the ground, the poor things can’t even get away fater that b/c of brocken bones and pain, then they cut of the front and back paws and skin the poor animals alive then through the still living skinned animal to a pile of carcases that went before it. This while other racoon dogs watch in horror before they’re next. Why not shoot them or something rather than do all of that why they’re still alive, it really is horrible I have no words to express how awful this is.
I think calling chinese ppl subspecies is way too harsh, can’t put a blanket statement on a whole ppl b/c the majority or even a minority of them have no sympathy for animals.
Ummm…Trent don’t you always brag on Chick-fil-A? How do you think those chickens are raised? How do you think they are treated? Why would you make a comment about how laws in the US could be better if you are giving money to an industry that many think abuse animals? Sounds a bit hypocritical to me.
hey been living in shanghai, china for the last 5 years. while it is def is wrong to generalize all chinese people for their treatment of animals (especially 1.3 billion of them). there is some really messed up stuff here…
- When spring arrives in china street venders start selling baby bunny rabbits from carts and have them in small individual cages that are so small they can’t move (seriously all four side of the animal are touching the cage)….whats even worse is that these bunnies haven’t even been properly weaned yet!!! they die in about 2-3 days. Children basically buy them, play with them and then discard their corpses.
- As foreigners we are told to avoid buying puppies from pet shops, or people selling them on the street corner. they basically come from these “puppy farms” which breed them and then use industrial strength dyes to dye the dogs a more “popular” colour. by the time the puppies are in the shop or on the street corner they are suffering from toxic poisioning which makes them sleepy and lethargic (can you blame them). so the sellers dope the puppies up on cough syrup so that they are basiclly high and playful and you think you are getting a happy puppy. couple of days later your puppy dies of shock.
-Even if you do get a healthy dog from a reputable shelter or breed. how chinese dog owners treat them is shocking. BIG dogs are popular with chinese families especially huskies. but majority of chinese live in tiny high rise apartments. they barely take these big dogs out for a walk, they leave them couped up in apartments for days on end.
-Small dogs are almost ALWAYS carried in handbags (or plastic bags/totes)….which i think is cruel
-stray cats are routinely rounded and shipped off in trucks like chickens to parts of China that consider them a delicacy (rural parts! most civilized chinese think the thought of eating cat is disgusting)
Seriously i really do think we need to start addressing this to the chinese through diplomacy, it might be easier to get them to change their animal rights policies first, they who know human rights policies might just occur organically.
P.S. – Many of you here need to start looking up just what people in a communist state can and cannot do and stop reading a definition that was probably written when Nixon was in power. The Chinese have a lot of control over their government, the difference is that they choose to be apathetic about it. The quickest way to get the Chinese to do anything….is to shame them and make them loose “face”.
I am HORRIFIED by this news!!! I am not familiar with Morrissey but I can see where he’s coming from & it definitely opened up a lot of ppl’s mind about what is going on…Its just so sad that humans can be SO cruel to innocent animals. I have a Siberian Husky & read what “Steve in China” said & its disgusting to know this info. Kiera is so sweet & the thought of someone being cruel to her gets me pissed off! Animals have rights just like humans & its our responsibility to protect them.
When I was on holidays in Taiwan I saw a lame dog with only two legs that walked drag itself around a town with the locals – including the police – totally oblivious to its obvious suffering. It needed a bullet.