Vegan lifestyle is more than a liberal trend
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by Krista Houstoun on March 12, 2009 at 4:00 am
According to author Sherman Alexie, who spoke at NAU last week, my vegetarian/vegan eating habits are more or less oppressive. He made the claim, albeit humorously, that vegans are elitists because, for many people in the world, the concern isn’t what kind of food they eat but that they eat at all. Regardless of constantly reminding myself not to take his humor personally, I left the lecture ready to defend my case. I felt offended by his scorn for conscientious eating habits because it doesn’t take into consideration the diligence and compassion required in adopting such healthy lifestyles. Vegetarianism and veganism may be trendy for some, but for most it is a necessity derived from a bigger-picture reflection.
Generally, you don’t just wake up one day and decide you’d like to try out vegetarianism or veganism because it seems fun; you are brought to that decision because you have developed a deeper awareness. Most people tend to regard vegetarian/vegan lifestyles as extreme and unhealthy. This assumption is rooted in ignorance. On a mainstream level we need to seriously re-examine the facts about our collective eating habits. Once we do that, it will become clear that vegetarian/vegan lifestyles are actually compassionate, eco-friendly and nutritionally beneficial.
Vegetarian/vegan lifestyles result from the dedication to a deeply humane worldview, which considers eating animal products a hazard for animals, the environment and human health. This belief is a consequence of deep self-reflection and a response to the desire to connect to a more sustainable and compassionate life. Therefore, reflecting upon one’s relationship to food is not an act of snobbery; it is a step in our personal evolution toward the best version of ourselves.
Additionally, these diets are practical solutions to many of our current global crises. Take factory farming for instance (our main source for animal products) — not only is it atrocious for animals’ well-being, it also has virulent effects on the environment. Factory farming is the No. 1 emitter of carbon emissions and the primary polluter of our water supply systems. Factory farming disregards the wellness of animals, the environment and the people they serve. Dedication to alternative diets is a direct revolt upon this corrupt system.
With all that said, I do realize I’m lucky to have the time, money and education to participate in a conscientious lifestyle. Not everyone has access to a healthy diet, and the injustice of it all is horrifying. But I will not apologize for my privilege; instead, I’ll make it my mission to shine light on the food injustice that infects the world.
Finally, I’ll quote a genius: “Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert freakin’ Einstein knows what’s up.
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In this country and most others, most people do “have the time, money and education to participate in a conscientious lifestyle.” It is not only a privilege, we who can have a moral obligation to do so. Kudos to Ms. Houstoun for doing so and for encouraging others to do the same.
Mr. Alexie sounds like an excusatarian. Consuming a diet inclusive of meat, milk and/or eggs when more healthful, humane and environmentally responsible foods are abundantly available is elitist. There is nothing funny about it. See: http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/
Extremely well said. Thank-you.
Bravo, Krista… and double ditto Madeleine – EXTREMELY well said!
I agree with Madeleine, Chris… well said, Krista. Moreover, I’m considering to translate it to spanish and post it in my website. Regards…
It never ceases to amaze me how people are controlled by their eating habits. When someone tells me “you can’t eat this” my reaction is “no, SO WHAT?” Being vegan is easy once you know what to eat. Might be a challenge for certain people at first…SO WHAT? Life is full of them and this is one I personally chose in order to adopt a more compassionate lifestyle. I wouldn’t let my laziness harm other living beings…that would be selfish. Besides, the only challenge now a days is dealing with omnivores and their misconceptions…not eating vegan itself. Keep up the good work Krista!! We need more people like you
A vegan lifestyle is elitest in the same way that black is white or up is down. It could not be further from the truth. Look up ” Livestocks long shadow” on Google. We in the developed world live astoundingly wasteful lives at the expense of the majority of other humans not to mention the rest of sentient life on earth. Veganism is a much healthier lifestyle and is one big step towards a sustainable lifestyle.
Not to mention.. if you want to eradicate world poverty, the easiest solution is to stop livestock production. All the feed wasted on livestock should be used to feed hungry people – instead of wasting it in an energy-inefficient system that raises animals to be eaten by the wealthy!
Well said Krista!
Perhaps Sherman Alexie is unaware that it takes 16 pounds of grain to produce one pound of beef, not to mention the incredible water requirements as well (in the thousands of gallons). Just think of how many could be fed with that grain? Vegetarianism and Veganism are compassionate to the animals, the earth, and our fellow humans as well.
The Brazilian rainforest, as well as forests in Central America are being razed to make space for feed crops to supply beef farms producing hamburger for the big chains. In other words, we’re trading the rainforest for cheap hamburgers. And we’re the extreme ones?
Thank you for your help!
Very good article, and well written. Saving our environment is what it is all about, and choosing a lifestyle that help the cause, not only for our environment but for a healthier lifestyle as well.