In recent weeks, there’s been a deluge of musicians and artists coming out and being vocal in their condemnation of China’s ‘wet markets’, and the impact, basically, the reason behind, the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Both Brian May and Paul McCartney have voiced their distain over the history and continuation of these practices, practices which, lets call them for what they are: a medieval and barbaric gathering of human beings buying food which often still breathes and struggles in captivity. Let us be clear: ‘Wet markets’ are where live beings are forced to be caged until they get respite of being bought and taken to be chopped for dinner.
Morrissey has always spoken about the horrors of eating animals, and he has been clear about the dangers for years. In a 2004 documentary, ‘The Importance of Being Morrissey’, he said: “I feel quite smug about Mad Cow Disease and Foot and Mouth and so forth, what do you expect? people have been saying it for years.”
Much has been written and said about Morrissey’s now seemingly infamous interview back in 2010. When talking about China’s horrific animal welfare record, he referred to the Chinese and the Government as a ‘subspecies’. Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “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.” It’s a reactionary but justified statement given the context.
Time has found Morrissey to be totally correct, especially in his comment about the lack of Chinese regard for animal welfare.
He recently said: “I offer loud applause to Paul McCartney and Brian May, both of whom I love and respect greatly, for calling for a complete ban on China’s so-called ‘wet-markets’ … which is just a gentle name for hell on earth. There is enough footage of China’s ‘wet-markets’ on You Tube to enlighten you and sicken you at the same time. As with the British abattoir, such places are an evil torment that have no excuse in a civilized world. But is this world civilized? If I, on the other hand, made a comment on China’s ‘wet-markets’ the British press would set fire to my mother’s hair.”
Morrissey was right, but as usual the world won’t listen.
