You don't look like an ag major

I can't keep quiet in my ethics class, correction, I can't keep quiet anywhere. Every Tuesday and Thursday I shoot my hand up into the air to weigh in on all sorts of issues, from fairness to politics. Today after class the guy sitting next to me said, "You sure know a lot about different stuff, what's your major?" I had him fooled by my supposed knowledge, and shocked him further when I answered with agricultural journalism. His response wasn't surprising, "well you sure don't look like an ag major"


Dressed in a pink dress, zebra scarf, and black cardigan, I couldn't argue with him. I certainly didn't have on the East Campus Uniform of jeans, boots, and t-shirt. It got me to thinking about the people in my life I stereotype. That guy with thick glasses, flannel shirt, and tight jeans is either a lumberjack, or more likely a hipster. The gal in the bright t-shirt, leggings, and ugg boots has to belong to a sorority. I can't complain about stereotypes when I pigeonhole people myself.

I would like to be judged by what I do and say. That's what everybody in the agriculture sector should want. Sometimes, what we do or say can be negative or hurtful when we jump to conclusions about, "the idiots who are vegetarian", "those naive souls who want organic food", and "evil animal rights activists". It's ok to disagree with someone, and want that someone to be educated, but when we in Ag focus on slinging mud instead of educating the public, we lose our credibility.

Anyone who supports the elimination of animal agriculture will never get my support, nor will they earn my hatred. It is a serious matter, but one I plan to combat by telling and re-telling the positive stories like Debbie's and my own rather then throwing dirt. After all, I wouldn't want to get my dress dirty.

'till the cows come home,

Ellie