Wednesday, 26 August 2009
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Why am I a vegan? Why aren't you?
photo from ProgressOhio
I've decided to post this because I'm tired of people's bullshit. Tired of being told I'm stupid for not eating meat by my family and getting hate mail from creepy online losers. So, you want to get inside a vegan's head, do you? You want to know why we chose not to live off animals like the rest of you savages? Well here goes! And after I'm done here you can all go back to stuffing your faces w/the flesh of your fallen fellow living beings.
Everyone's story goes differently, mine will be no exception. I've grown up in a regular middle class family, big on eating meat and not giving a damn about it. I never knew where my food came from, never had a choice whether or not I wanted to eat it, it was always just there. That all changed a few months ago.
I'll admit, I was directed to PETA2's site from MySpace, not denying that. That's not the point here. The point is what I saw. I'm not going to say it here, don't feel the need to. But know this: it was the most life changing experience. Call me naive, call me a hippie, whatever. But that was the moment when I realized that I just couldn't be a part of this, what was considered "normal" by society, any longer. Animals were dying for me every day, by the hundreds because we as a human race were too lazy to move on from that and find an alternative. We have overcome barbaric events, beliefs and circumstances. Slavery, segregation, sexism, homophobia, etc. And yet, we have refused to take a look at one of the final remaining groups that we cause pain to: Animals.
Man's best friend: would you eat him? Just because, say, a pig isn't as cute as your dog Mikey doesn't mean he's of any less importance! Just because a bull would give you a threatening look doesn't mean he's less than your cat Whiskers who always curls up next to you when you're watching TV. Why is this so hard for people to understand? If I had it my way the world wouldn't have atomic bombs or prejudice. We'd all drive Hybrid cars, there'd be universal health care, no trans fat and most importantly the needless slaughter of animals would stop, completely.
Now, I know that vision's far off. And with the threat of meteors hitting Earth in less than 30 years very high, our time to accomplish that is shorter than expected. But just understand me here. Sure, a steak may taste good [I'm not really sure, I've forgotten what they're like] but as you hold that fork up to your hot, waiting mouth STOP. And think, think about the animals that suffered for it, how they were branded, beaten, hang on a hook, dangling by one foot and their throats slit, blood gushing out. Their kicks and screams, trying to get away until that final moment. Doesn't that sound like a pretty painful way to die? If re-incarnation is true and you were to come back a chicken, wouldn't you want to go into that life knowing that you didn't regret your last?
I'm not trying to force my opinion on anyone. To the contrary, I believe that your own personal opinion is the only one that matters. I'm just simply giving you the facts so you can make an informed decision on how you want to live your life. Do you want to merely survive off the death of others of "less importance" than you, or would you like to live longer, healthier and more productive lives? But before you make your choice, if you haven't already, take a look at these few facts about being veggie. Off the top of my head, Vegetarians:- have lower rates of: heart disease some forms of cancer obesity [which in today's society means a lot] and hypertension than non-vegetarians.
- live 8-10 years longer
- save $10-$15 a day
- have less bone loss [you'll thank yourself when you're older]
- save the environment
Not all vegans and vegetarians are PETA-loving extremists dressing up as a cow and standing on top of McD's yelling obscenities. No, we don't hate omnivores just because of what they eat because we know that they made their choice and we've made ours. We accept that you're different and we don't snicker when going out for dinner and the man next to us orders Shrimp Parmesan. And neither should he when we ask the waiter for a vegan alternative. We're all just people, living our lives the way we see fit. And although that may vary from person to person, it doesn't mean someone's better than someone else.
At the end of the day it's a question of morals. And maybe mine are just different than most people, maybe I've just got other priorities and see life through a different lens. But I know that it's the right choice for me, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Would you go vegan or veggie? Do you have any prejudices against vegans or vegetarians?
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- From: ana_robot_freak@xanga
- Name: ana_robot_freak
- About Me: i'm 14. starting high school this year and striving to be as thin as i can by then. H:5'4" SW:180 CW: 163 GW: 138 or less. wish me luck!
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Comments (373)
i'm vegan and i approve this message
lmao.
great job hun I agree with all of this.
yee for not letting our bodies be graveyards !
I don't think I'd go all out vegan, but I've always wanted to go vegetarian... I just never really tried to.
I'm vegan, this is a lovely blog
i was a vegetarian for about 4 years... aged 12-16. but i didn't really like vegetarian foods and all the replacements. so as a result i feel i didn't get the nutrition i needed, resulting in stunting my growth by a few cm. who knows?
anyway, i felt very proud of being a vegetarian at the time!! maybe i'll go back to it someday.
but i did feel like a bit of an inconvenience at times.. like when i ate at a friends house or attended a BBQ for example.
I'm a vegetarian, and plan on going semivegan someday. Loved this post :]
I'm not trying to be...uh, what's the word...I dunno, but I'm genuinely curious as to how going vegan saves the environment. The animals are still dying, trees are still being cut down, and pollution is still being thrown into the air and water. So how would this make a difference? I mean, it's more of a thing of principle or health than a "saving the environment" thing to me. But that's just my opinion, if you (or anyone) could offer an explanation it would be greatly appreciated.
I'm a vegetarian (and have been my whole life) but I have no plans of becoming a vegan just yet.
I'm a vegetarian for health reasons. Diabetes, cancer and heart disease run in my family, and I took responsibility for my own health. I've been a vegetarian for about 4 years now, and I don't think I'll ever go back, just like I won't go back to drinking soda or eating fast food. It was all part of a lifestyle rehaul.
I recognize that humans are on the top of the food chain, and I'm fine with that. While it's sad that some animals are treated and killed inhumanely, we evolved to be omnivores. The videos of animal cruelty have disturbed me as much as the next person, but that's not a representative sample of the entire meat industry. Many animals are, in fact, well-treated and happy. Geese raised for foie gras, for example. People think force feeding them is terrible, but it doesn't hurt the geese, and they gorge naturally. They need that much food to plump up their livers for long migrations and the colder season. And they look pretty happy on those farms, too.
Some meat is good for you. Fish, for example, is a great source Omega 3 fatty acids that your body needs. I would actually consider eating them if I liked the taste of fish/seafood, but I never have.
Bleeding hearts, pretentiousness and scare tactics aren't enough to convert me to veganism or to stop wearing my stylish leather boots. Animals are a resource. We are also animals, but we developed society and technology. Thus, we are the superior species and have more value. Sure, we could eat less meat and grow more grains (which are more efficient and cost-effective) to feed more people, but unfortunately, we're also an indulgent, gluttonous society that won't change its eating habits as a whole unless absolutely forced to.
You know, I was going to read the post but then you have to go and call us meat eaters savages and I guess I just couldn't take the arrogance that is so well placed on stereotypical vegans.
i have been a vegetarian for 2 and a half years but I agree that you aren't getting anywhere by calling meat eaters savages, most vegetarians/vegans were meat eaters too at one point, i dont think its fair to you or fair to them to slander each other. just have your views and say your points that you believe in and see if you can change some minds but if you cant you shouldnt talk about their barbaric ways everyone has their own choices to make
Yay veganism!
One thing I've encountered a lot is that people often think that excluding animal products from one's diet is extreme, when really it isn't. People seem to forget how much food is out there that isn't from animals like fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains with tens to hundreds of foods that fall into each of those categories. Some don't realize that there are delicious vegan cupcakes you can make. I mean, pasta is a favorite of many and that certainly doesn't need animal products to taste delicious. I don't feel bored by the food I eat, I don't feel hungry because I'm not eating animal products, it's all good. It's not too difficult to eat a vegan diet and there are so many foods I could eat as a vegan that I will never get through them all. Anyway, sorry to go off on my own tangent, but I just wish people could see that veganism really isn't that crazy.
I have nothing against vegans/vegitarians. But take a look at a human's teeth; They were designed to eat meat and vegitables. We are omnivores. Eat what you want.
For those curious, I had grilled chicken, grilled corn, grilled red onion, and an entire garlic clove for dinner. My concern with what I just ate is not the chicken, but whether my coworkers will know I ate that much garlic. :PI don't eat meat but only because I don't like it.
I'll admit I eat and enjoy meat. Your colourful description of the slaughter didn't phase me a bit. But I respect the opinions and decisions of those who don't eat meat or animal products because I believe everybody has a right to put (or not put) whatever they want in their own bodies.
That said, I can see how it would be nice if people didn't live off animals anymore, but there is a problem with that. Thousands of people make their living in industries and jobs related to meat and animal products. Farmers, butchers, slaughterers, transport truckers, chefs (a majority of culinary school training involves preparation of meats and seafood), restauranteurs, supermarkets, etc. etc. If the world stopped eating meat, those industries would fail, other industries that those insdustries rely on for supplies and machinery and whatnot would probably take large hits (nobody would need to buy barbecues or various kitchen appliances/tools for cooking and storing meats and seafood), and thousands of people would be out of jobs. Yes, it's a sad excuse, and its a pity that people have to make their living off killing animals, but people have to do what they have to do. So unless there was some sort of alternative food source that those industries could turn to and create jobs out of, having the world stop eating meat will screw over a lot of people.
but in my family's country
if you eat a black lab
you'll be able to live forever!!!
@methodElevated@xanga - I would disagree that because we have a "developed" society and technology and all that jazz that it makes us a superior species or that it gives us more value. I wouldn't say I have any more value than a person that still lives off the land in a tribe, which is essentially what animals in the wild are doing. And I suppose I don't know because I am not a goose and have never been force fed, but the idea of being force fed, with a tube jammed down my throat does not seem enjoyable and I doubt it would be to a goose either.
@MangoWOW@xanga - I was dissapointed to read the term "savages" to describe those that continue to eat meat. I was hoping for a post with facts and statistics presented to inform those that aren't too aware of where their food is coming from. I suppose I have to realize that this was initially posted on her site which is usually where many of us go to rant and perhaps wasn't intended to be read by the masses. It was still dissapointing to me though and I understand why you stopped reading.
Good for you for being able to become vegan-- I don't think I would be able to do that since I like the taste of meat too much >>;. Though you didn't have to call meat eater savages just because we eat to survive. Meat has some nurioushment that your body needs though so you are taking away some vital things that you get from meat.
Btw; People do eat dogs and cats in some places in the world. Does that make them even more savage than ones that just eat cows or pigs?
I went vegetarian after while making a hamburger pattie...the thought suddenly went through my head, "whats the difference between ground up cow and ground up human? Nothing. I'm done." Simple as that. Went vegan after researching nutrition for a friend dying of cancer. Found The China study by T. Colin Campbell and never looked back. Yay for this post.
@TheRiverIsEverywhere@xanga - People living off the land still have an advanced society and use technology (hoes, baskets, shovels, spears, etc.). Unless these tribes you're talking about are killing animals with their teeth, digging tubers with their fingers, and are completely incapable of complex language with one another, they're certainly not on the level of lower animals. We have tools (read: technology) and highly developed brains for those sorts of things.
The tubes that are used for the geese are about half of the size of a large fish that a goose could swallow normally. Their throats are made the expand, and the tube even stops at the top of the stomach. It doesn't cause them any discomfort. They get fed well, are allowed to roam around in large fields, and are killed in the most humane way possible. I hear that makes for good foie gras.
I would never be able to go vegetarian or vegan. It is simply because I love meat too much. A salad never fills me up due to my high metabolism, though I do love vegetables.
I only do not like vegetarians or vegans that try to force me to not eat meat or telling me that I'm evil for eating meat. I don't try to force them to eat meat, nor do I criticize them for their chosen food lifestyle.
I was built to eat meat therefore I am going to eat meat. I don't really give a fuck about your reasons for being vegan. Don't ask for respect if you can't respect people who eat meat. It makes you look like a worthless fail cunt.
I am not a savage because I use the pointed teeth in my mouth. Get off your fucking high horse and stop pretending like "vegan is the way to go for all cool people" because you look like you could use some beef right about now.
Stupid bitch.
I would love to go vegan! I don't know what to replace the foods in my diet with, I eat a lot of eggs, fish, and drink a lot of milk and I like those things. I could give up pork, chicken, and beef. Vegetarianism sounds easier, and then maybe I'll slide in veganism.
I have no prejudices for vegans and vegetarians! In fact, I admire these people! Two of my best friends don't eat meat. I wish I could do the same.
@methodElevated@xanga - Chimpanzees use tools. Dolphins have a complex language for communication and recently evidence has surmounted to show that dolphins have individual and unique names. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/05/060508_dolphins.html Just because we are more intelligent by our own standards doesn't mean we are superior in my opinion. You wouldn't say you were superior to an individual with a disability that affects their intelligence (or I assume you wouldn't, I wouldn't). Intelligence doesn't equal worth.
The tube down the throat still doesn't sound appealing to me.
I'm a vegetarian in the making.
1. You seem to be using "vegan" and "vegetarian" interchangeably. They aren't the same thing, so don't pretend they are.
2. I am an omnivore. I eat chicken, I eat turkey burgers, and heck, I occasionally have hamburgers or bacon. I'm healthier than most of the people I know, and I resent the way you presented your data, as if I'm going to drop dead ten years earlier because I ate a turkey burger for dinner tonight.
3. You might wonder why people get pissed off about your lifestyle choice, but maybe it's the way you present it.
Your title practically screams "I'm better than you", for one. I can understand being frustrated by the people around you, but you don't come off as very articulate off the bat, with a patronizing title.
At the end of your entry, you say that you think it's a personal choice, and you don't have a problem with people choosing to be omnivores, but everything else that you wrote contradicted that statement.
You go on, after that, to say that "it's a question of morals". Well, fuck me, but I find that pretty damn condescending. But alas, I will move on to the actual questions:
I would consider becoming a vegetarian, but for now I think I am happy with my mostly-red-meat-free diet. I would not consider becoming a vegan, because as a sixteen year old student athlete, I have neither the financial ability nor the nutritional skill to be able to buy a complete, healthy vegan diet.
No, I don't have prejudices against vegans or vegetarians, because all of my older siblings have been or are vegetarian right now, and both of my older sisters have boyfriends who are vegan right now. I do, however, have a problem with holier-than-thou rants which claim they aren't. I was expecting a much better entry than this.