The Pot Calling the Kettle Abusive

Trigger alert: this piece is an opinion piece pivoting off recent comments of a certain video regarding equine abuse. Let’s call a spade a spade.
 
For humanity the term abuse is defined in many ways. It is the attempt to control the behaviour of another person. Four key areas create the overarching columns where we can categorize it: physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. It is behaviour that scares, isolates or controls another person. All of those categories are tied to consent.
 
For animals (according to the human world) abuse is: depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, or vet care. In another definition it also includes torturing, maiming, or killing.
 
Perhaps here I could suggest that we, humans, have evolved as a species enough to say that animals (and nature) can suffer abuse at the hands of humans in numerous ways outlined in the first definition. Lack of consent, emotional abuse, isolation, control, etc.
 
My first rhetorical question to consider: is one form of abuse worse than another?
 
Before you go condemning me for not knowing anything about the subject, I worked in the field of violence & abuse prevention and social support for quite some time. I have seen, heard, and understand a thing or two.
 
Power Over. That is the through line in any and all of these abuse categories. Be it human, animal, or nature. Power Over another being. Terrorizing a human or animal is abuse. It is power over. Causing physical pain, creating separation, and disregarding consent for personal satisfaction or gain is also abuse.
 
My second rhetorical statement: It is prudent to tread carefully when calling out someone on their abuse of power without examining our own walk through life. 
 
Yes, boycott and stand up against that oppressor that is abusive towards your fellow human or animal kind. BUT at the same time be prepared to take a long look in the mirror. We have all been in a position of power over. Intentionally or not. It is what we do from that space that counts.  We cannot change our past transgressions. We can make amends as needed. We can live a better future.
 
My third rhetorical call to action: Firstly, no kind of abuse is ok. Oh, I hear you…No, that’s not me! I would never do that. Ok and good.   
 
Perhaps we do well to ask ourselves what our perspective of abuse is. None of us, not one, are immune to having power over another at some point in our lives. From our fellow human to the tiniest creature. It’s what we do in the moment when our ‘power’ is put to the test. 
 
Do we self-reflect in our treatment of another being? That is paramount. Choice is at the heart of the matter for all parties involved. The choice of the potential oppressor to abuse their place in a relationship. The choice of the oppressed to say no, to not give consent (that is if they even have the chance and feeling of control to do so). O OR the choice of potential oppressor to say NO, I will not abuse my place in this relationship, I will honour the NO and understand the power of a mutually healthy relationship. 
 
If you have read this far and feel no self-reflection is needed, I offer you love and light.

If you are reading on then I have just a few more thoughts and points to articulate.
 
Is the power we hold in the public eye and available for extensive scrutiny, or do we exist under the radar, so to speak.  Is there, then, a difference between abuse delivered in either of these situations? Is one less damaging, less abusive?
 
We can hold power over OR walk in a space of power with another. The choice is always ours to make. We do well to not call the kettle black as a reminder to examine our own (myself included) actions. Especially before we raise ourselves above another.
 
My final rhetorical consideration: The weight of abuse in the animal world. Does asking an animal to do something without their consent and for our own satisfaction constitute abuse? Does that hold less weight than visibly forcing an animal to do something? 
 
An aside: Yes, we have domesticated animals and do have to keep them safe. I speak here beyond those limitations we must adhere to.
 
Does a child who has suffered the long-lasting effects of ongoing emotional abuse suffer less than one who has been through the horrors of physical abuse?  Does that same question apply to animals or nature?
 
The phrase: the pot calling the kettle black dates back to the early 1600s, when most pots and kettles were fashioned from cast iron, a material that acquires streaks of black smoke when heated.  It is now often used when we wish to highlight hypocrisy.
 
I am complete! 

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