Dear Editor,
As an ETSU student my concerns and grievances are, indeed, of value and warrant your consideration.
I was horrified and disgusted by the prominent display of a deceased, roasted pig at the picnic provided for the students on Tuesday, Aug. 27. I acknowledge and appreciate the amount of effort and time invested in the gesture; however, this work was undermined both by disregard for the sensibilities held by a valid part of the student body as well as the blatant disrespect of a creature’s corpse.
The display of a dead, young pig whose eyes were vacant indentions, whose bones were visible in areas and whose skin was charred would probably disturb any student that is vegetarian, vegan or even compassionate towards animals. It would be remiss and insulting to assume that no one at ETSU holds these beliefs, yet that is the impression this roasted pig provides.
I understand that eating meat is a facet in our society, and would not expect meat to be absent from all school functions, but it is unnecessary to flaunt and parade animal carcasses in such a grotesque manner. I do suspect that even meat eaters were repulsed by the visage of the pig.
It is convenient to ignore the fact that burgers result from dead cows, chicken nuggets from dead chickens, bacon from dead pigs and so on. I can only hope that by being uncomfortably confronted by the image of a whole dead pig people would be compelled to re-examine meat eating practices in general. It is clear that the carcass was not displayed with the intent to spark a dialogue within one’s self, nor was it a statement about society and meat-eating.
I am offended that the views held by myself (and others like me) were not even considered when the entire lifeless body of a dead animal was made into a decoration at a picnic intended for everyone.
I am even more offended at the disrespect inflicted upon the body of a once-living being.
Again, I feel eating meat in general is unnecessary and sordid, but it is unreasonable to request that meat never be served on ETSU’s campus again.
It is not unreasonable to request that when it is, the body parts of these dead creatures are not presented as an incongruous table ornament whose eyes are gone, whose bones are exposed and whose skin is burnt with a lovely, pristine apple in its mouth.
I am not the only member of the student body that feels this way. When having school functions that are meant for all of the student body, requesting that everyone’s opinions be at least considered is not outrageous.
– Chelsea Corrigan

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