Dear Non-Vegan,
Does he deserve to die?
I will first tell you a little bit about me.
I used to eat meat in abundance; I even followed the low carb diet and existed mostly on meat at one stage in my life. I knew where meat came from but I never let my imagination consider the process that led to having that food on my plate. It didn't look like an animal so it was easy to put that to the back of my mind. It tasted good after all and it was my only source of protein- or so I thought.
I never considered that one day I would call myself a 'vegan', but things happen in life that make you sit up and question your choices.
For me- this was Earthlings. After an hour and a half of watching this, I cried and made the decision never to eat animal products again.
I found it devastating but necessary watching. Everyone should know what sacrifices are made for the sake of a full belly and make their choices accordingly.
I don't like to preach- that's not my style- all I ask is that you read this, watch a documentary, a You Tube video or read a book and open your mind to the information that is readily available.
Empower yourself with the knowledge of what you're putting in your body and then go one way or the other.
If you feel nothing when you find out the truth, or when you see the images and watch the footage- that is fair enough- you've tried. You've done what I've asked.
However, if you feel something- anything- in the way of sadness, disgust, guilt, sympathy, anger- then it might be time to make a change.
Please don't think of all vegans as hippies who hug trees- that couldn't be further from the truth- I'm certainly not like that. Vegans simply don't want to cause harm to any other living thing. There are worse things people are passionate about- in the scheme of things- being vegan has very positive, good and kind intentions. Don't judge vegans until you know what they are all about.
Vegan food is delicious if you are willing to try it. And don't worry- you can get your protein, your calcium and your omega 3s- there are substitutes for everything these days- and if not you can supplement.
It's very rare to meet someone who was vegan from birth- most ate meat first or started life as a vegetarian. As a result- vegans are more understanding than you may assume. It would be hypocritical of them to hate the meat eaters when most of them used to be one.
Why not talk to one? Someone you know or someone who works for, or volunteers for a vegan cause? The portrayal of vegans in the media can sometimes be extreme- so it might be worth talking to a vegan to break down those stereotypes.
All I ask is that you lift the veil and take a peek at the process. The practices that happen way before you pick an animal product from the shelf at the supermarket.
Reading the packet doesn't give you the full picture, the journey or the worst case scenario.
Think about your family- they can't be described by one word alone- they are too complex. They have unique personalities, experiences and influences.
Think about your pets- you probably wouldn't describe them as one thing- they each have their own characters and souls. You likely wouldn't call your pet an 'ingredient'.
So why do other animals get reduced to one definition? One name? One thing? An inanimate object? Just hours, days, weeks before- they were alive- please just take a moment to think about it.
Kind regards,
The Vegan
Tagged in Vegan