Whoa! Seems the subject of the novel I am writing, that time-honored rite of passage of 4-H kids feeding out a steer or a lamb or goat for the big show and auction that follows, is getting a lot of buzz the last few days. And I’m talking heated buzz as in almost 1700 comments left after CNN published two articles in its “Eatocracy” section of its website a couple of weeks ago.
The uproar began with a piece called “Five Reasons to Buy From Your Local 4-H.” http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/21/55-five-reasons-to-buy-from-your-local-4-h/
So many people left responses that a second piece, “Does 4-H Desensitize Kids to Killing?” was published two days later. http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/?hpt=hp_c2 As that article pointed out, two incredibly distinctive lines of thinking emerged: “One was that 4-H promotes responsible animal husbandry and the cultivation of food resources in a responsible, ethical way and the other was that it serves to desensitize children to the suffering of animals.”
This is the question my novel, ONE GOOD MAMA BONE, addresses. I grew up on a farm in South Carolina but did not participate in 4-H myself, so I’ve had to do tons of research, including visiting various county fairs that included the 4-H Market Show. Always I’d find kids, who were showing, and I’d ask them about the experience.
One was six years old. Before he took his steer out into the show ring, I asked him what he was going to do after the show that night. I was thinking he would say he’d go up on the midway and ride some rides or eat some cotton candy. But that’s not what he said. He took his eyes away from me and put them on his steer he was touching with both hands, and then looked back at me, his eyes now filled with tears. He said, “I’m going to kill it.” That comment right there, that one, did it for me. It captures everything.
My father, 1941's Grand Champion winner, and me
I come by this story honestly. My father claimed the very first Grand Champion title in my hometown of Anderson, SC for his 1000 pound steer in 1941.
He was 14 years old and brought home more than $300 that March day, he tells me. He got his picture with the steer and the grocery man who bought him on the front page of the local newspaper and above the fold at that. Even a local restaurant gave him a free lunch that day. He was something of a celebrity.
When I’ve asked him about it, though, what he’s always told me was this: “You don’t think about it. You just get your mind on something else.”
The novel I am writing presents the two views. And I must tell you that my job, as the writer, is not to provide an answer — but only to pose the question. Your answer is your business. What I must do is tell a story and one where neither “side” is correct but both emerge fully human.
That’s what I’m interested in — people coming to their own truth.
Stories can do that. Good ones can.
Fascinating post! Interesting hearing the perspectives of the various winners. Can’t wait to read your novel!
Thanks, Lily. It’s a world that both sides believe in whole-heartedly.
Very interesting Brenda on the CNN articles and posts.
– Great picture of you and your father!
Hope all is well with you.
Thanks, Jessica. I love that pic, too. And, yes ma’am, all is good. Hope you’re doing well!
Hi Bren. First of all, I love the picture of you and your Dad. Quite a handsome man and you, beautiful, as always. He reminds me of my father. I am sure when your father became Grand Champion Winner he really didn’t think about any emotions or feelings that went along with it or, if he did, he did actually not think about it, as he said and, most likely, that $300.00 prize money was a very welcome sight. I have to say I don’t agree with an exploitation of an animal especially one that says “this is the normal thing to do” when the “thing to do” is killing something. My daughter participated in the fair but she did the crafts, canning, things like that. We never did live animals although we had plenty to go around. They probably weren’t “show quality” anyway but they were beautiful to me just the same. I get the part of 4-H of teaching responsibility of caring for and nurting an animal but I simply do not, and will not support anything that says “okay…now that we’ve used you (the animal) for our benefit your reward is to be killed.” I think it makes it okay to look at an animal with no emotion or feeling or, at the very least, suppress any emotions or feelings of attachment you have toward that animal. I take my animals very seriously and using them for personal gain or attention is something I can’t agree with.
Every time I read about this issue, it breaks my heart — and no one writes about it more thoughtfully or more eloquently than you do.
Bren such a wonderfurl picture of you and Dad! The article is great and it brings question to the whole Grand Champion thing. I know if kids are brought up in 4-H and their dads and their grandads and greatgranddads did this,its something you try not to think about. Its the way of life for these people.But also sad,and not only do the kids learn to take care of something and the responiblity of the whole odeal and also they learn to deal with death early in their lives! LOVE YOU SIS!
I have to question the accuracy of your story. 4H children are not allowed to show livestock until they are 10 years old.
Signed,
10 year 4-H member
Yes, I understand some 4-H groups do have an age limit. Not all do, though. I’ve even talked to a little boy in Kentucky who was six years old. My own father was 14 when he won, but that was in 1941. My novel is set in the early 50′s when boys just needed to be school age. Thanks for writing and good luck!
I think just as your father (and mine and everyone else’s too) put things in a certain perspective – Could choose to “think about something else.” But surely that was when we did not know so much… We did not fully grasp nonhuman sentience – Although we had a hunch, the times made it easy to look away. Things are not that way any longer. We know these animals are very, very much like us. And we also know that the same dietary habits can no longer justify remaining un-changed.
As we evolve and progress I have no doubt that the “livestock traditions” of 4H will have to adapt to include new awareness and sensitivities. The same old chatterings from the Ag community will no longer hold up. Nonhumans should NOT be used as things… And allowing or making a child participate in such activities makes them less whole, less connected and less kind. The benefits of “responsibility” and “hard work” can be found in many ways that don’t require betrayal and bloodshed.
Thank you so much Bren for bringing these truths to light!
Hi Bren, Just going back and reading some of your articles this morning! have I ever told you how I can’t express in all the words in the world HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU!!!!Your the tops in my eyes!Your that electric eel just sitting in that little room w/her Willie Juner using your brilliant mind of imagination.Thanks for being that electric eel in my life!!!!LOVE YOU IMMENSELY
Thank you, Lin. You’re the best. THE BEST.