Letter to the Editor-WESTCHESTER RISING
In discussing the problems of political discourse, MaryAnn McCarra-Fitzpatrick describes people who bicker on social media as ‘screeching like a bag of scalded cats.’ (April 30).
Why use such an ignorant, brutal analogy? Despite constant demands for people to change outdated language that is insulting to others, animals – particularly cats – are still maligned, mocked and ridiculed in conversation, to sell products, etc.
In a TV ad selling diabetes monitors, a man hatefully stares down a cat – till the cat runs away; a wolf menacingly stalks through a hospital till a ‘valiant’ nurse chases him away. Both animals clearly represent sickness and danger in these ads. A cat’s frightened screech is the background sound for innumerable comedies and TV ads.
Politicians identify their opponents as ‘cat people,’ as an insult; a radio host features a weekly segment called Donkey of the Day, to identify ‘dumb’ people.
Almost all animals have suffered from ugly names and mischaracterizations down through the ages: Bad people are ‘snakes,’ ‘dogs,’ ‘rats,’ etc. Donkeys are ‘stupid,’ pigs and birds are ‘dirty,’ and horrible people are derisively called ‘animals.’
Cats in particular have been the constant subject of scorn and cruelty due to vile, baseless, antiquated Halloween ‘traditions’ and more. These prejudices have been the cause of the most heartbreaking violence toward animals, such as the Florida woman who deliberately ran over a family of ducklings with her car because she considered them ‘dirty,’ and the goats, rabbits, pigeons and piglets tortured to supposedly make some ancient diety happy.
In 2026 we realize that words and images are powerful; they shapes hearts and minds. People complain about stereotypical, outdated language because it sends an uneducated, dangerous messge; its no different for the animals.
So while McCarra-Fitzpatrick worries about how we communicate with each other, she should take a moment to clean up her own language. Enlightened people don’t talk that way anymore, Ms. Fitzpatrick.
Animals are the most maligned yet profoundly silent victims of abuse, neglect and baseless scorn: Please include them in your circle of compassion – in both written and spoken words.
Kiley Blackman, Founder, Animal Defenders of Westchester