May 17–24, 2001
mix picks
Four Legs Good
Unnerved last month by the images of burning piles of animal carcasses? Wondering if the heart-tugging tale of "Phoenix the calf" might have turned the tide against pre-emptive culling? Author Gary Francione would like a word with you. Britain’s crisis brought home to many here that we really do care whether animals suffer, and we do get upset when they’re put to death unnecessarily. In Introduction to Animal Rights, Francione takes this basic, shared sense of right and wrong to its logical extreme: Veganism. His point is that we’re not divided by our beliefs — only by whether we act on those beliefs. Rigorous and exacting in print, Francione in person is affable and laughable, single-handedly belying the Animal Rights stereotype. If you go, listen and decide to change your lifestyle from that day forward, well, you won’t be the first.
Gary Francione, Tue., May 22, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1805 Walnut St., 215-665-0716.
