Eating Cats and Dogs
A few thoughts on controversial eating practices, and hopefully, a better path forward!
Last night, former President Donald Trump claimed that immigrants are eating cats and dogs, specifically the pets of Americans (mentioned first by his new buddy, JD Vance):
“In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats… They're eating... they're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."
The BBC and the WSJ have thoroughly debunked these claims. Furthermore, the AP has confirmed that the particular video that went viral of the woman being arrested for eating a cat is not Haitian. In fact!!!!!!, Allexis Ferrell is a U.S. citizen and was BORN in OHIO.
Trump, like all bullies, relies on a single tactic to rally people: creating an outgroup by stoking fear and disgust. He needs a group to blame, and by reducing people to one-dimensional caricatures, he leaves very few opportunities for human connection and empathy.
Let’s break down what he says and what he really means:
“In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats…
Translation: Immigrants are eating “man’s best friend”.
Why this is important: Because dogs and cats are so deeply sacred to American culture (think Old Yeller, Shiloh, Marley and Me, even Nintendogs), the only thing worse than eating a dog or cat is probably cannibalism. Out of everything Trump could have said about immigration, this tired stereotype is meant to ensure that Americans will find immigrants 1) disgusting and 2) incompatible with American values.
They're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."
Translation: Immigrants are dangerous savages who don’t care about the law, and it’s going to bring disorder and shame to the United States.
Why this is important: By specifically mentioning pets, Trump is insinuating that immigrants don’t care about your property. Driven by some animalistic appetite, immigrants will break into your home, and then steal and eat cute lil’ Fluffy for dinner. Again, this is nothing new. Consider how black men were stereotyped as animalistic in their sex desires, and that NOTHING would stop them from making advances on White women. Or how indigenous peoples in the US were and are still characterized as uncivilized savages.
The first half is somewhat choir preaching. Most of you reading this know Trump’s antics well enough to push back on his insults and inflammatory rhetoric.
What I think is less discussed, even in progressive circles, is how notions of what food is or isn’t acceptable are still largely based on Western culture and diet.
I’ve seen a number of Instagram comments and posts immediately rush to say something along the lines of denial: “Trump is the worst. Immigrants eating dogs and cats is not true. It’s just a stereotype.”
Okay, but what if the stereotype was true? What if someone came from a country where their primary choice of meat was not beef, chicken, or fish, but dog or cat?
In other words, are you appalled by Trump because he’s factually incorrect or because you believe that it is unimaginable that someone would eat dogs and cats as part of their diet?
Unpack that for me fam 🤣
As an Asian-American, people ridiculed me with dog-eater insults, which, again, only works because dogs and cats are sacred AMERICAN symbols. And much to my shame, my immediate response was, “Koreans don’t eat dogs! It’s Chinese people that eat dogs.”
Growing up in Indiana, I understood the dynamics of the racial hierarchy and the language and strategies I would need to survive, even as a middle schooler.
I needed to put Chinese people down to lift myself and my Korean family above others. I knew I had to be the right kind of Asian immigrant, the kind that puts his head down, works hard, smells “normal”, gets good grades (but not too good!), stays quiet, and makes sure that no matter what, THOSE people are dog-eaters, but never me or my culture.
In a sense, I understand why Trump’s rhetoric is effective because I’ve used it for most of my life. I thought there was no way to have a conversation about these topics without fear or shame.
I’ve thought a lot about race and food since then. I’m at a place now where I’m trying to be honest and curious about the culture I come from. Yes, most people in Korea (like over 75%) have never eaten dog, but a minority of people have, and that’s a complex, ongoing cultural and legal conversation1, but I don’t think it warrants disgust or dehumanization.
So regardless if Trump is accurate or not in his view of immigrants’ eating practices (He’s not), the response should not be an immediate gut reaction to hurl but curiosity.
Seriously, eating practices are diverse and historically rooted. People eat so many unique and interesting plants and creatures due to circumstances like geography, poverty, religion, or even war, so before making a judgment, we should and must ask questions that show a posture of humility.
What do you eat?
How is it similar or different from what I eat?
And why?
Korea actually passed a law in 2024 banning dog meat. Yeah.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67920167
Beautiful article, love this man