Raiders Organized for Animal Rights will show the award-winning documentary Earthlings for free in the Business and Aerospace Building this Wednesday at 7 p.m. There will be a question and answer session after the viewing and free vegan snacks.
R.O.A.R., formally known as Giving Animals a Voice, is a student organization of activists that focus on issues surrounding animal mistreatment and exploitation.
According to Kenny Torrella, junior recording industry major and R.O.A.R. member, there isn't much awareness on campus about how we treat animals in society today. R.O.A.R., he said, aims to change that.
The group meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the third floor lobby of the Keathley University Center
Earthlings, narrated by animal activist Joaquin Phoenix, seems to have had an overwhelming positive response by those who have seen it. Riley Mitchell, sophomore music major, said he became a vegetarian after watching Earthlings last year.
"It is a very powerful film," Mitchell said. "It will give you a glimpse of what truly goes on behind closed doors."
Torrella calls the film a "must-see."
"Earthlings outlines and analyzes humankind's economic dependence on animals and is important for anyone that wants to find out the truth about how we treat animals in our society" Torrella said. "It isn't just for people that love animals. It's a film for people that strongly believe in justice, compassion, sustainability and nonviolence."
The highly graphic scenes that the film depicts might be disturbing to some, but according to Torrella, they are vital to changing people's attitudes about animal rights.
"When we tell people what the film is about they say they don't want to see it because they love animals," Torrella said. "This response is understandable, but if we love animals, we shouldn't look away and ignore their suffering."
"Earthlings is a fairly graphic movie, and it recommends a lifestyle many consider extreme. But we are asking that people give it a chance," said Tyler White, R.O.A.R. member and senior recording industry major. "It may change your life."
White said he hoped the showing of the documentary inspires students to participate in Veg Week, Nov. 14 to 17. Students are encouraged to sign up to receive a mentor to help them transition to a vegetarian or vegan diet during this week. There will be daily events such as potlucks, cooking demonstrations, lectures and bike rides.
"Animals can't speak for themselves, so it's up to us to either look away, or to try and make a positive difference," Torrella said.
More information can be found about Veg Week on R.O.A.R.'s Web site, mtsu.edu/~roar .
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