Human superiority and dominance, the basis of speciesism, is backfiring on humanity. The lack of moral consideration towards non-human animals by exploiting, abusing and unnecessarily killing them, primarily for food and entertainment, is linked to humanity’s own suffering.
From chronic diseases and pandemics to human rights abuses, systematic racism, violence and wars to world hunger to environmental degradation and climate change, it’s ultimately the cognitive dissonance of humanity in relation to animals that is to blame. Only when actions are aligned with values will humanity have a chance.
As the Greek Philosopher Pythagoras said in the 6th Century, “For as long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.”
Growing up at her Grandma Jan’s animal sanctuary in Western New York, Eliza is privileged from early childhood to have a unique relationship with animals. Learning from her grandmother, an animal rights and social justice activist, Eliza develops keen insight into the lives of animals rescued from animal agriculture and the destructive realities of the food production system on animals, humans and the planet.
Now eighteen and preparing to enter college to study veterinary science, Eliza does her own activism, primarily as a tour guide at the sanctuary. Together with the mentorship of her Grandma Jan, the experience of the sanctuary’s dedicated worker Juan and the knowledge of fellow tour guides and friends Cassie and Michelle, Eliza develops a strong voice for social justice as it relates to animals.
Her tours and those of her colleagues not only give visitors a chance to get up close with the animals and learn about their natural behaviors, but they offer insightful and poignant information about animal agriculture and its effect on social justice. The subjects of animal rights, human rights, human health, environmental health and the foundation of morality are all woven in to the story with detail and conviction.
Just a mile from the sanctuary is a small, family owned dairy farm. After one of the cows wanders off and is taken in by Eliza’s family, a confrontation takes place between Grandma Jan and the owners of the dairy farm. It is a confrontation that progresses into Eliza’s first significant protest and fight against the abuse of animals farmed for food, specifically dairy cows.
After the unexpected death of one of her mentors, Eliza’s role in the fight for the cows at the nearby dairy farm is heightened. Her knowledge, fervor and compassion for justice for all sentient beings lead to a resolution that few could have anticipated.
True Justice 4 All is an uplifting novel that shares the joys of loving innocent animals with the challenges of fighting for their freedom amidst the atrocities of a food system that cares neither for their innocence nor for their freedom.
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“Animals are individuals. Animals have personalities. Animals have the right to live free of human imposed suffering. Seeing animals for who they are and not as commodities and objects is critical to creating a compassionate, non-violent world. These simple truths come shining through in Patty Leon and Rich Winograd’s novel True Justice 4 All. I hope it will be widely read, especially by young adults, as they seek to change the trajectory of a violent and cruel society that exploits, abuses and kills innocent animals.”
Hope Bohanec, Executive Director, Compassionate Living
