Veganacious

Archive for the ‘Veganism’ Category

I describe myself as an imperfect vegan because I have not yet reached the level of theoretical knowledge where I feel assured  my every move is the right one. I support the abolitionist movement and believe that animals deserve personhood, that a major paradigm shift needs to happen to move people away from the exploitation of animals and earth towards justice, and because non-violence is an important component of doing so. I hope to see a day where humans can respect the natural world and see themselves as part of it, not in charge of it.

As a therapist, there was a tale about a man who was walking on the beach that was told to us as interns.  The man found millions of starfish, dying, having washed up on shore. A man stood there, throwing one after another in the water.  Another man walked up and told him, “What are you doing? You cannot save them all!”  to which our man replied, “No, but I can save this one,” as he saved another life. The story was to help us avoid being overwhelmed by the need and suffering we were soon to encounter. It was also to remind us that, although we could not “save” every single client, each one was worth the effort. We would do the best we could.

I make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. I do not invest time in urging for larger cages for chickens but rather to free chickens from being commodified. I support vegan education. I also support some groups that are also imperfect but are working tirelessly to save animal habitat, increase education about the lives of animals, improve respect for animals, and educate people about veganism; some would disagree with that. No two advocates offer the same combination of perspective, energy, experience or education; that is what makes us a community. We need all of us to pull together to get this done.

Here are some of the ideas I have been learning about activism as well as the activists that keep me sane.

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After several recent articles hit me in the face (ouch!), I realized that I am in danger of becoming a speciesist.  First let me explain about the articles.  I read on the VeganViews forum (Friends of Animals) that some creative person thought it humorous to develop a stuffed animal that is roadkill.  They have taken a stuffed animal, put tire tracks on its back, and have stuffed blood and guts coming out of it.  The “toy” sells for $40.  If there has been a recent sign that humans are detached from reality, that is it. (Feel free to leave a comment; I did.)

At least that only encouraged suffering by encouraging a detachment from the reality of animal lives.  But then I heard about a new process of frying fish and keeping them alive while serving them to be eaten (see above video, but beware, it is HORRIBLE).  You have to be pretty far gone to “enjoy” eating something that is still alive and has been suffering mightily.

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I go to the greatest dentist; his entire staff are kind and friendly people, and he is technically very skilled.  He loves dogs, and brings them to work with him – they have their own room in the back.  He donates time and products to help others and works on a fundraiser every year. These are good people and have made me feel welcome when I was a new Texan.  They have taken good care of my teeth, too.

My last visit, I brought a copy of Mathew Scully’s Dominion to read while I waited.  The cover has a picture of a lamb, tied at the feet with rope.  My dentist saw it and turned the book over, finding it obviously distressing.  He said there was nothing one could do about what happens to animals; I told him that was not true. He then began placing instruments in my mouth so I was unable to continue the conversation, but I was left thinking about what to say or do. He scooted out before I could become verbal again, so any opportunity that was presented, I had missed.

Here is the letter I wanted to write to him:

Dear Dr. S:

First of all, thank you for the great ambience of your office and the wonderful people in your employ.  It is always a relaxing experience to come to an appointment, knowing how efficient and capable everyone will be and how kindly I will be treated.  But I decided I need to write to you because of something that happened during my last appointment.

If you recall, I had Matthew Scully’s book, Dominion, with me. The cover has a picture of a small lamb, tied at the feet. You couldn’t bear to look at it and turned the book over; that act led me to believe you are a compassionate man who cares about animals. Your comment to me was, “there is nothing we can do about it.” As someone who has been studying and learning about the horrific way billions of animals suffer and die each year in this world, I wanted to share with you some of the things I have learned, because there is much we can do about it.  For one, we can quit giving money to people who abuse and murder animals.  Every product you buy that has meat, dairy, eggs, animal secretions, leather, wool, fur, honey, and a host of animal ingredients too numerous to mention; any time you buy these products, you are in effect paying someone to harm animals.  No animal that ends up slaughtered is treated humanely.  The efficiency of modern factory farms brings diseased creatures filled with antibiotics and other chemicals into your diet. Did you know that even dairy cows are killed while still children? That newborn male chicks, those adorable and perfect little creations, are ground alive when they are separated out as useless at one day of age?  That newborn calves are sometimes dragged to slaughter before they can even walk, all so humans can steal their mother’s milk. If you choose to participate in these horrors, you must not believe that you truly love animals, only that you enjoy using them, dead or alive.

Not only does giving up eating animals and their secretions help one remain healthier, it helps the entire planet remain healthier. Animal agriculture contributes to global starvation, water pollution, deforestation, global warming and human health issues.  Ending the purchase of animal products opens up a new vista of healthier, greener choices and cheaper, better food.  Even if you give up a portion of meat, you will be saving an entire year’s worth of water for showering, so water-intensive is animal agriculture.

Watch the film Earthlings; you can rent in on Netflix or see it on YouTube. It will explain more than I ever could about animals.  You can also watch Meet Your Meat on You Tube if you care about what they do to animals to turn them into meat for you to eat.  You can read any book by Gary L. Francione, a Rutgers University professor, about the status of animals and how we can help them.  (I even have one you may borrow.) I have dozens of vegan cookbooks you can borrow and several personal recipes, as well as two sites that promote veganism: http://veganacious.com and Arlington Vegan Examiner.

I am suggesting this because it is so very important that we stop the senseless slaughter and suffering of animals of all kinds, including dogs, for unnecessary purposes. I am doing this because from what I know of you, you do care.  (By the way, my cholesterol went down over 100 points when I went vegan and I eat whatever I want.) I am doing whatever I can to save the animals; I hope you will, too.

Or, you can simply turn the book over and turn your back on the suffering of animals.

Stay well,

Barbara

I haven’t yet sent the letter; I am trying to decide what is the best and most effective approach to take. I may bring in a package of information when I return in December. I may send the letter. I know one thing for sure: I don’t want to just turn the book over, either.

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What is it about missing the party that is so unpleasant? I was recently invited to my grandson’s birthday party, which would include a boat ride on the lake near my home; I was looking forward to seeing him enjoy being out on the lake. The day before the party, it was suggested that I come by afterwards to watch him open his gifts, because there would be fishing.  It is true, I am not someone you want on a fishing trip–I tend to plead for the fish; I do not think using animals for fun is a good way to spend the day.  But the boys don’t fish, nor does my son.  If there is only one holiday I could attend, my choice would have been the birthday of my grandson. But I realize it is only one small price to pay, compared to the suffering of all the fish and other earthlings, so I missed the party.

I later learned it was a conjoint birthday party, including the birthday of the fishing grandpa.  The boat ride lasted an exceptionally long time, and the returning mariners ended up needing to have dinner about 7 pm.  There was nothing for me, so it was suggested I come over when they were done, about 8:30 pm.  By then, having been up since about 4:30 am, and not feeling terribly welcome, I decided to wait until the next day to give my grandson his gifts. It had been a long day and I did not yet know that it was a conjoint gathering. Had I known, I would have come by to pay my respects to the adults who were celebrating, but I did not yet know. And fourth birthdays have special significance in our family, so at the time, it was a disappointment.

The next day the little one came over with his brother and his father and opened up his gifts.  I had a treasure map to find the pirate ship I purchased for him; he had to search through clues in a half dozen different places to find his gifts.  He and his older brother had a great time.  He said something to me about fishing; I didn’t realize his grandfather would be bringing a little fishing pole for him.  He mentioned that the fish had something red in his mouth.  I asked if it was blood; he said it was a tongue or something, he wasn’t sure, but he made a face.  He didn’t like fishing; he asked me if I liked fishies. I said yes, I like them alive and swimming around and being free. End of conversation and on to playing with his new gifts.

My grandson will have to decide for himself how he feels about bugs and fish and other creatures.  He shows great empathy around me but is adaptable to his circumstances.  I asked my son to please have a birthday for him that did not include harming any animals, but I did not sense much support; at times I think my beliefs about compassion offend the entire world.  I know that missing family gatherings because of vegan values is a common occurrence, but it is painful nonetheless. I think it is indicative of how frequently animals pay the price for human desires, because I know how frequently I am not included in things in life. I try to find ways to participate, to not leave my son in an awkward position because of my beliefs, without compromising my own values. I can only hope there will be more vegans by the time my little grandson grows up – he loves anything vegan, even me. I hope there will be a world left for him to grow into, a kinder world, where other people, other animals are respected and treated with kindness.  Meanwhile, I will miss the party if it includes harming other individuals, be they finned, feathered, or furred. It is a small price to pay to respect my fellow inhabitants.

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I am a vegan because animals have feelings.

I am an animal and believe I should treat other animals the way I would like to be treated.

I believe I should not do to others what I do not want done to me.

I do not want to be trapped, hunted, imprisoned, slaughtered, tortured, disrespected, shot, skinned alive or eaten.

Becoming vegan has meant:

• meeting a world of intelligent people
• creating an international community of compassion
• lowering my cholesterol 100 points, while eating anything I want
• lowering the cost of groceries
• having better relationships with the animals around me
• opening my eyes to things I would have missed
• enjoying food for the first time
• loving to cook for the first time
• blogging
• new friends
• fighting for justice
• discovering animal sanctuaries
• renewed respect for the natural world
• awareness of what we are doing to ourselves, to the planet
• grief, because of what I know
• solace, because of what I can do

If anyone is interested about becoming vegan, there are lots of resources out there to help you. I am one of them; write to me.  Join with all of us vegans on this important day. Save the animals, save the planet, save other humans.

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I love the idea of planting peace; one of my favorite photos is of guerilla gardening – it is like a crafty kind of quiet urban relandscape that appeals to my mischievious side. When I first hear about Plant Peace Daily, a website linked to VegFund.org and UnitedNonviolence.org, I perused it over several sessions. Following the publishing of a recent article on Examiner.com, I received a kind letter from one of the contributors of Plant Peace Daily.  He had forwarded to me a link to a couple of videos, one of which I had on my blog already (see above).  I watched the other video, also very informative, and promptly shared it on the Veganacious fan page on Facebook.  When time permitted, I perused their website and found it to be tremendously affirmative and helpful, full of wonderful essays, positive ideas, and excellent resources.  I bookmarked it for later viewing.

Since that time, I have returned to Plant Peace Daily many times.  Their ethical consumer printout is a great thing to have on hand before any shopping trip; it is a handy reminder to consider the consequences of your purchases.  Print it out, stick it in your wallet; it may help you to make more conscious choices when you consume. I have had an article titled Like A Caged Animal on my desktop for some time. It is a great article, beautifully and sensitively written, but I did not remember where I found it and thus could not refer to it or incorporate it into a post. I just found out that it came from Plant Peace Daily and it is only one of several excellent articles and essays on the site (see below).  Their blog allows you to enjoy their travels, too; the amazing photographs give you a close up of what is going on in different parts of the world that you may be missing: fairy doors, telephone poles adorned with hearts, dogs awaiting slaughter – all the good, the glorious and the hideous that life has to offer.

Plant Peace Daily is a crew consisting of JC Corcoran, Rae Sikora, Tikvah and Bean; the first two are bipedic and the last two are quadripedic earthlings. They travel together spreading the good word about peace, conflict resolution, the environment, conscious consumerism, veganism, health and nutrition.  They are a sort of mobile fitness team – fitness for the body, soul, planet, mind; a team that teaches living in harmony.  I love one of the cartoons on their blog. It shows two diverging roads: on the left there is a sign that reads, “Truth, Justice, Wisdom” and on the right is a path that reads, “99 cent burgers,” on which all the people are lined up.  This is such a good graphic of what faces us on a daily basis, but with the left-sided path often hidden.  Rae and JC and their canine pals travel throughout the country, giving workshops and speaking at universities, retreats, schools, and anywhere else that beckons them.  Go to their website if you are interested in having them speak for your organization.

Rae has been speaking on behalf of animals for over twenty-five years. She is co-founder of the Center for Compassionate Living, the International Institute for Humane Education, and VegFund.org, a new organization that provides vegan food for fundraisers and events.  JC co-founded VegMichigan (largest veg organization in the state) and VegFund.org, along with Rae. Their diverse educational backgrounds (cultural anthropology and environmental education for Rae, emergency medicine and fitness for JC) make them uniquely qualified to provide inspiration and incentives to help people live in harmony with their values.  Their speaking programs and workshops include titles such as “Human Billboards,”  ”Despair Repair, and “In Their Skin,” programs sure to increase awareness and compassion.

Do not overlook their essays page.  The articles are wonderful and will draw me back time and again for inspiration. Like A Caged Animal touched me, but Despair Repair caused tears to flow that stayed with me all day; I doubt the imagery will ever leave me.  It so graphically revealed the individuality of our shared journeys on earth, if only we weren’t so very blind and disassociated from them.  Then there is JC’s article, Ingrid Newkirk and Al Gore in the Same Leaky Boat – it is spot on and well done.  It is hope-inducing to know these two are out there, creatively working for a better, more peaceful world. Whenever I need an affirmative shot-in-the-arm or a bit of activist encouragement, I will return to Plant Peace Daily — you should, too.

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