Spatial analysis can make the reader and the viewer see a space in a completely different light. It can broaden the horizons of both parties and change an opinion of how the space functions as a whole by conveying different opinions. One place in particular that is not seen in many different ways is the university food court. A majority of people who use it, mostly students, see it as a place solely to eat and socialize. There are many tables and chairs placed in the middle of the room accompanied with televisions, inviting customers to sit and socialize and to stay a while. Inside this space, customers are subject to images that disrespect animals in order to sell food. Many people walk through the food court, see these images, and do not realize the impact the words or images have on another person, especially a vegan or vegetarian, or simply an individual who lack any kind of respect for animal rights. By analyzing the images around the food court, an individual can deduce that the idea of a human hierarchy is evident while the vegetarian opinion has been silenced.

Where Vegetarians Are Peasants

            Here is a portion of the sign for Burger King, which initially seems very innocent and uncontroversial. But when one considers the implications of the word “king,” different opinions can be deduced. King refers to an empire which implies strength. The image of a "burger king" seems to suggest that meat is superior to non-meat meals. It suggests that the practice of consuming meat is better than not.  One can see small portion of their menu but it is an accurate representative. On the entire menu, there is one vegetarian meal. However, unlike its meat counterparts, this vegetarian option does not have a large picture on the menu nor has it ever been advertised on commercials. The only proof  of existence is the small one line print of its name and the accompanying price.            

Burger King lacks value for its vegetarian items compared to its beef or chicken items. This shows they favor their meat consuming customers more than vegetarians which results in little support for the fast food chain by the vegetarian community. A majority of Burger King’s customers are not aware that a veggie burger is sold. I was not aware of this until I spent about five whole minutes looking on the rather large menu for something to eat besides French fries. Burger King’s menu deters the customer from eating a non-meat meal.

Where Vegetarians Are Remembered

            Including the six restaurants inside the food court, the vending machines around the corner and down an isle are where an individual will find the most vegetarian options. The fact that out of seven entire menus of prepared food, the selection with the least amount of meat is by a group of vending machines, most of which are not complete meals. The options that could be considered complete meals in one vending machine all contain meat, save a bean and cheese burrito. This shows how much vegetarians are thought of in society, which according to the food court is very little.  The options for vegans are even slimmer, even in the vending machines area which looks like a meatless wonderland. According to the Arizona Student Union Dining Services there are 7 vegan meals within the food court which means on average that is one per restaurant.

Where Being an Animal is not Good Enough

            This sign, seen at Panda Express, may seem like a funny joke to most viewers but seen from the eyes of a vegetarian, it is demeaning to pandas. This sign is suggesting that to celebrate the Chinese New Year, one should buy Panda Express’ Firecracker Chicken. This is a common marketing tactic and that is not the demeaning aspect of the image. The pandas in this image are disrespected because they physically do not and cannot eat meat. They are herbivores that only consume bamboo. Also, they are shown in a light in which they look fat and unintelligent, two traits which cause humans to ignore the emotions and physical feelings of animals.

            The image supports a popular human opinion that humans are better or more intelligent than animals. Therefore they have the right to eat them or even dress them up with bunny ears and stereotypical Chinese attire. The ad proves that animals of all sorts are not respected.

By giving the pandas human characteristics, the idea that in order to be taken seriously pandas must act like their human oppressors. I am given the impression that being a panda is not enough to gain respect, that these animals must act human. This is a giant contradiction because the human race is always telling each other to “be yourself” and that an individual is perfect just the way they were born while animals are constantly given the persona of humans, an indication that the common belief is that in order to be better, one must be human. 

Where Cows are Stupid

            This image can be seen at Chick-fil-A. It is accompanied with the image of a cow hanging upside down holding this sign. The sign is an accurate representation of the human belief of a hierarchy over animals. In this particular situation, cows are depicted as extremely stupid. The words “Eat mor chikin” are scrawled across the paper with the ink dripping down the page. This suggests that if cows could write, they would practically be illiterate.

            Chick-fil-A uses this sign as a strategy to make its customers lack empathy for consuming animals by portraying them as highly unintelligent. The reality is that cattle are smarter than most people believe. Cattle show many emotional characteristics similar to those of humans. They form friendships, have different personalities, learn at different paces, they can even plan escapes and learn from social interaction.

            The sign does the opposite of what I believe Chick-fil-A is trying to accomplish. When I see this sign, I feel sad for both the chickens and the cattle that live what lives they can in slaughterhouses. These animals are not only being abused and neglected before they are slaughtered, but people are being convinced that they deserve it. The sign reminds me that animals are more similar to humans than most people know.  

            Each image shown at the Student Union depicts images that can be considered disrespectful and even disgusting by all vegetarians, including myself. It is filled with images disrespectful to animals which in turn causes me to feel disrespected and even offended. As I walk through the food court I do not see a place filled with great selection nor does it fill me with feelings of hunger. I feel alone and bothered by the amount of dead animals displayed to other consumer’s pleasure. I see a room filled with restaurants only serving animals I refuse to eat, presented disrespectfully. This causes the space to lose function for me and similarly for many vegans and vegetarians. I often wish only to pick up what little food I can eat and leave. I do not want to sit down only to be haunted by the “Eat mor chikin” sign.