"Good Liberals" and their Prejudice"

As many of you know, I am a devoted animal advocate and am on the board of directors of a small dog rescue group here in the Portland area (My Way Home Dog Rescue).  I just got off  the phone from talking with a potential adoptor calling about one of our dogs. Great lady, very grounded, realistic and devoted.  But...she was concerned the shepherd mutt she was calling about not have any pit bull in the mix.  In her words, " I realize I have a prejudice against these dogs.  I am a good liberal, but can't have anything to do with a pitbull".  I admire this gal for seeing her issue as a prejudice, but wish it weren't so.

 Merriam-Webster dictionary defines prejudice as among other things "2a(1):preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgement or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race or their supposed characteristics".

Unfortunately, just as we prejudge people with "an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race or their supposed characteristics", ask Trayvon Martin's family, many of us do the same with pit bulls.  Just as our society, or at least some of us, have worked to abandon racial and class prejudice, and see ourselves as open minded, I challenge you to do the same with regard to pit bulls.  No, I am NOT comparing dogs to people, and NO, I am in no way acquainting Trayvon Martin to a dog.  I'm pointing out how disingenuous we are to abhor prejudice against people and think nothing of it with regard to dogs.  Dogs who, by the way, aren't prejudiced at all.


Here is a chance to open your mind.  The Hollywood Theater, this weekend, is showing the breakout movie, Beyond the Myth; a movie about the dog breeds commonly referred to as Pit Bulls.  The movie looks at the people who love these dogs, the breed specific legislation several cities and state have enacted, and the myths about these dogs.  Sunday April 1st, starting at 5:00 pm.  Click here to purchase tickets.  Singer/songwriter John Shipe will also perform.  Below is the video of his song, Pit Bull Blues, a fav of mine. Hope to see you there.