Why I Eat What I Eat and Wear What I Wear
So it seems like, probably two or three times a week (seriously) people, upon finding out that I am vegan, say “why are you vegan?” So in case any of those people are reading “my blog” I thought I’d try to write up a little something here. For me, it seems like a natural realization that animals, like humans, feel pain, sadness, suffering, etc. Although these emotions and feelings might be stronger in some species than others, it is also most certain that they are stronger in some members within a species than other members of that same species. To me, the idea of separating ourselves from and placing ourselves above other species because {we’re smarter, we’re stronger, we’re better, god wanted it that way, survival of the fittest, man needs to eat meat, [insert any other reason people have for eating meat or using or abusing animals generally]} is fairly silly. Racists think that they are better than others of a different race, and sexists think that they are better than those of another sex, for no reason other than “just because.” In my view, those who see a distinct separation between humans and “animals” are speciesists, and are no better than the former two “ists.” Being prejudiced against another thinking, feeling, sentient being is, in my mind, not a healthy or happy way to live. The world is connected and intertwined in so many ways, and though some people may disagree, I believe that an increase in suffering (no matter what form that suffering takes) is an increase in suffering, and causes an increase in general unhappiness throughout the world. When people try to say things like, “but fish can’t feel it, and they don’t know what’s going on when I sink a hook into their mouths and pull them out and suffocate them” (or something similar), my retort is always, “ok, well then would you kill and eat a retarded baby?” And the answer is inevitably “no.” And then I say “why not?” And they say, “because, dude, it’s a baby. I’d be a cannibal. Gross. And that’s sad, because someone loves that baby.” And then I say, “well I love that cow.” Or something similar. So basically, my view is that, if I can live my life without causing any increase in general world suffering, I’m happy to do so. If I can live my life without contributing to the horrendous lives that most factory-farm animals lead, and horrendous early deaths that nearly all food-and-clothing animals suffer, there’s no reason I wouldn’t. Especially considering the fact that, today more than ever, it is REALLY easy to be vegan. Really easy. Never do I “miss” any specific food, because there is a vegan version for everything (some of which are actually better tasting than the originals. See Uncle Eddie’s Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and the outstanding Blondie/Brownies at rainbow. Mmmm.). So, although I never push anyone else toward veganism, and find it to be an intensely personal choice, I’m always happy to meet a fellow vegan and exchange information about helping out the animals. Yay.
posted by sarah @ 5:43 PM
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