By Valeria Howard-Cunningham | Particular to California Black Media Companions
(CBM) – Los Angeles Metropolis Councilmember Bob Blumenfield claims that I torture animals.
Blumenfield, the writer of a movement that can ban rodeo and equestrian occasions in Los Angeles, says in plain English in a brand new ordinance in entrance of the Metropolis Council that I and folks like me who take part in rodeo occasions apply “inhumane” therapy of animals.
He says in plain English that I and folks like me “encourage aggressive habits in animals and inflict damage, ache and struggling on animals.”
As a rodeo lover, I take these false allegations personally.
I don’t take part in any of the actions harming animals that Blumenfield alleges.
Neither does Kanesha Jackson, a proud Black younger lady who’s a 5-time Invoice Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) All Round Cowgirl Champion, an 8-time BPIR Occasion Champion, and mom of an upcoming rodeo champion named Kortney Solomon. She can be a farm proprietor who breeds championship horses.
Neither does Tory Johnson, a proud Black man, ranch proprietor, and one among our champion winners for a few years. Or Krishan Adair, one other proud Black lady and rodeo champion.
And neither did the cowhands within the Outdated West, the place one in 4 have been Black males. Nor Invoice Pickett, the legendary Black cowboy, and namesake of my group.
They, together with 4 generations of Black cowboys and cowgirls, encourage me and our viewers to be a part of the rodeo world. We have now created a Black rodeo tradition contributing to the historical past of the American West by working towards the game of rodeo with affection in the direction of the animals. For the cowboy and cowgirl, the animals are their finest mates.
The BPIR has created a tradition our neighborhood is happy with, one which retains youngsters off the road, evokes arduous work and purpose setting, and helps individuals to attach with themselves and their feelings by animals.
Blumenfield’s proposed ordinance, rooted in lies and misinformation about rodeo, threatens to take all these constructive actions away from the neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Excuse my directness, however I might ask: Is that this what the Los Angeles Metropolis Council needs to do or intend to do, particularly on the earth we dwell in in the present day?
The proposed ordinance is written so poorly that it will solely enable some tools for use the place the State of California particularly bans it to make sure animal security. Though the confusion brought on by this will likely assist high-priced legal professionals, it doesn’t assist animals one bit.
As well as, the ordinance would ban the very tools we use to coach and help our animals within the most secure method attainable, together with lassos and flank straps – neither of which damage animals in any method.
Whenever you perceive what the ordinance actually does, you need to ask why Blumenfield is pursuing it, after not bothering to acquire the details and reality — or to grasp how we look after our animals or how our tools is used.
He didn’t ask essentially the most various coalition ever created in Western Sports activities, shaped to assist educate lawmakers on a sport they’re not accustomed to, about how we look after our animals day by day. He didn’t ask our veterinarians, who’re professionally devoted to animal well being and security, about how all our rodeo tools is used humanely on a regular basis.
Blumenfeld’s actions of not educating himself to know the distinction between reality and fiction lead me to ask, what the aim of his agenda is, which isn’t the agenda of the bulk.
The reality is commonly arduous to search out nowadays, and only a few have regard for it. We implore the LA Metropolis Council to face up for the reality and do what is true in recognizing they’re processing a dangerous and pointless ordinance.
It’s crucial that the Metropolis Council vote this ordinance down, or to make the modifications outlined by the coalition for our elected officers, in order that our neighborhood could proceed to benefit from the tradition and unifying sport of rodeo practiced humanely and aligned with California State legislation already on the books.
The Metropolis Council can not ignore the need of the voters. Or the reality. Thanks for letting me communicate it.
Concerning the Writer
Valeria Howard-Cunningham is President of the Invoice Pickett Invitational Rodeo
