Does A Man’s Efforts to Stop Dog-Eating in Vietnam Make Him a “Cultural Imperialist?”

By Jason

The issue of dog-meat has become newsworthy, thanks to the efforts of “enlightened” ex-marine Robert Lucius and an LA Times article. He aims to end the consumption of dog-meat in Vietnam; however he also denies being a “cultural imperialist.” Every culture has different views on which animals can and cannot be eaten, and therefore it is not up to Robert Lucius to decide that the Vietnamese culture is wrong.

I’ll admit that he primarily focuses on animal rights rather than the actual consumption of dog-meat and that should be commended; but it feels like he’s a missionary spreading Western thought and condemning Asian “savages.” What exactly makes eating dog wrong? Is it their cute puppy-ness and their social status as pets? I’ll admit that I have never eaten dog myself, but I would not go out of my way to force others to stop eating it. He also notes that he is fully vegetarian, and therefore why doesn’t he also influence the Vietnamese to stop eating meat altogether? Due to his Western upbringing, there must be an underlining motivation that specifically says “dog-meat is wrong” and therefore regardless of if he believes it or not, he’s definitely a cultural imperialist.

Besides dog is eaten in other Asian and non-Asian countries; many other types of foods are also eaten in Asia that would make some Westerners shudder in surprise. I think more focus should go more towards the destructiveness of the Western diet on the human body in terms of diabetes and obesity, especially in the Asian and Asian-American communities.

ABOUT JASON: I’d like to grow up to be an activist and a catalyst for change. Presently, I am located in Los Angeles busily studying Asian American topics and living the student life.

(Flickr photo credit: Paul Keller)