Tag: Veganism

Here I Go… Thinking Again

I recently finished reading Joan Dunayer’s book, Speciesism.

“Enslavement is wrong, murder is wrong, and causing innocent beings to suffer is wrong. Fully as much as humans, all nonhumans are entitled to life, freedom, and other basic rights. Humans deny this for only one reason: speciesism.”

Isn’t it a positive sign when a given piece of literature causes a person to actually think about what was “discussed?” I mean really grapple with the issues. By no means was this a casual read for me. I was challenged to contemplate certain aspects of my life and my justification of others. And I’ve come to realize a few foundations were flawed. Continue reading Here I Go… Thinking Again

Feelings

Q: What bias, oppression, etc. do you feel towards others and/or do others feel towards you as a result of your accident and do you feel this has changed on an individual, community or policy level since your accident?

I try, very hard not feel any serious preconceived emotions toward anything. If what you’re asking is do I feel anger towards “God,” my answer is simply no. I’d rather use my energy productively. And believing in a God is, in my opinion everything but a valuable use of time.

And before you assume my lack of belief stems from what happened to me, I assure you it has not. In fact being through everything I’ve been through has only strengthened my resolve. Trust me. Continue reading Feelings

Keeping Them Honest?

Well it’s been a few days since I managed to witness a CNN television news anchor interview an employee of the US Food Safety and Inspection Service. Regarding a story the Humane Society broke in late January. And I’m not feeling a bit better about what I saw.

An “Undercover Investigation Reveals Rampant Animal Cruelty at California Slaughter Plant,” which showed “downed dairy cattle” at, or presumably entering the Westland Meat Co. slaughter house killing floor by means of a forklift pushing them. That’s right, pushing them. With a forklift! Continue reading Keeping Them Honest?

Understanding Acceptance

I once was an accepting animal industry user, sadly a staunch supporter for way too many a year. Fortunately I’ve since chosen an alternative lifestyle. Yes that’s correct, I’m a vegan. But ever more important is I’ve not, and will not ever forget what it’s like on “that” side of town. Foggy, dirty, stinky, a lot less healthy? It’s a bad scene…

But would it be better to deny myself the memories of how I acted, thought and felt? And yet an even better question being why should I allow the “practice” I once was a willing participant in to continue to “eat” at my conscience (emphasis added for, well emphasis)? Guilt? Shame? Sadness? Hypocrisy? While all valid and oddly relevant, one very important fact remains. Continue reading Understanding Acceptance