Seeing as I’m coming up on the anniversary of my first attempt at Veganism, I wanted to share my reasoning for this deprived, desolate lifestyle. Just kidding, it’s actually been pretty great! Small concession: Many of my friends know me as a “freegan”. This came about at Brea’s work party when I was trying to stick to my newfound Veganism by only eating crackers. To my demise, I crunched into buttery goodness, and rationalized eating vegetarian at social gatherings while only purchasing Vegan products (freeganism). However, I constantly strive to minimize my non-Vegan consumption to foods that will otherwise be spoiled, or in special social circumstances.
Some reasons why I choose to be a V:
Ability (economic, psychological, and physical)
Many people do not have the economic ability to be Vegan, and some critics cite this as a reason why Veganism cannot sustain humankind… right now. I completely recognize that there are people on every continent who must sustain on animal products (such as a rural farmer or people who already do not have food access) and I am in no way suggesting they should become Vegan. Fortunately, I live in a society where it is extremely easy to be Vegan in an affordable manner, that is still yummy and nutritional. This ability to lead a more developed lifestyle, is of course a huge privilege, and I would feel as though I were squandering it by not accessing the Vegan resources.
What are those cute cubes?
The psychological barrier is somewhat of an unspoken barrier as to why many people choose not to be Vegan. My occasional freeganism is evidence of the social-psychological difficulties, but there is also the portion of labels and commitments. After all, it is a relationship with food. Lastly, Veganism requires changing your concept of food and nutrition. I was definitely afraid of tofu at one point. I even had to ease into buying tofu by only buying braised tofu for a year (not economical).
Finally, the easiest scapegoat – the physical barrier. Aside from the physio-psychological barrier that people “need” animal products, there is the very real threat of not getting the proper nutrients. It definitely took me 2 months before I felt 100% on a Vegan diet. This, however, was the fault of lack of information (often not accessible and rarely not taught to us). We now know the food pyramid that the meat and dairy lobbyists sold us is a fucking SHAM, and I guarantee if you take the correct precautions and eat enough protein your body will run like an electric motor. Those may just be cravings…
Sustainability – Veganism reduces carbon emissions. Plants turn carbon into oxygen. Antiobiotic resistance.
Animals (Unnecessary Suffering) – I wouldn’t be opposed to eating an animal that had a perfectly healthy and happy life which died from natural causes. I am, however, opposed to the current, capitalist food production system that values the bottom-line of producing food over the animals’ short experience of life – which is simply miserable. One obvious manifestation of our cognitive dissonance in our ability to justify eating animals is how we call them a different name when they are a “food” product (pig=pork, cow=beef, bloody=rare). Call it what it is people. At least chicken=chicken I guess… but maybe that’s just because people don’t give a fuck about chickens.
P.S. The dairy industry is synonymous with veal industry.
Net sum (Positive) – I first read about this idea by the anti-natalist philosopher. Essentially, if something bad doesn’t happen, the net effect is good. If something good doesn’t happen, the net effect is neutral. Thus, if we don’t hurt animals, it is good. And if we miss out on the yummy food along the way, it is neutral. Therefore, net sum is positive.
Does it still have calories if it’s vegan?
Health – You live longer and have less heart disease. Evidence: forced Veganism in Western European countries due to Nazi confiscation of all animal products. By replacing meat calories with starchy grains and vegetables, the death rate in Denmark at this time dropped by 34%. In Norway, the lack of animal product consumption resulted in significantly fewer heart attacks and strokes. These rose again with the reintroduction of animal products after the war.
Independence – You aren’t a sheep following other sheep eating sheep because corrupt industries want you to.
Veganism is a sometimes challenging, daily political act based on an idealistic worldview. I believe many people don’t realize this, and perhaps when they think “vegans are talking about veganism again” , they completely miss the discussion of politics such as social justice, food sovereignty, sustainability and most importantly DANK food.
out
-Nanarchy
