Reflections of a Meat Eater by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

Reflections of a Meat Eater

By Charlotte Perkins Gilman

[The following lines are indicative of the feeling that has been awakened throughout the country by the revelations in the meat food industry.—Ed.]

THE American public is patient, The American public is slow, The American public will stand as much As any public I know.

We submit to be killed by our railroads, We submit to be fooled by our press, We can stand as much government scandal As any folk going, I guess.

We can bear bad air in the subway, We can bear quick death in the street, But we are a little particular About the food we eat.

It is not so much that it kills us— We are used to being killed; But we like to know what fills us When we pay for being filled.

When we pay the beef trust prices,— As we must, or go without,— It is not that we grudge the money, But we grudge the horrid doubt.

Is it ham or trichinosis? Can a label command belief? Is it pork we have purchased, or poison? Is it tuberculosis or beef?

There is really a choice of diseases To any one, little or big; And no man really pleases To die of a long-dead pig.

We take our risks as we're able, On elevator and train, But to sit in peace at the table And be seized with sudden pain When we are at home and happy, Is really against the grain.

And besides — admitting the poison — Admitting we all must die — Accepting the second-hand sickness From a cholera-smitten sty; Patiently bearing the murder, Amiable, meek, inert —

We do rise up and remonstrate Against the Packingtown dirt! Let there be death in the dinner, Subtle and unforeseen, But O Mr. Packer, in packing our death, Won't you please to pack it clean!

— Charlotte Perkins Gilman.