Pre-Vegetarian: Running into Peter Singer

Five years before I would even consider dabbling in vegetarianism

myself, I read a Peter Singer essay as part of an ethics class I was

taking in college. I had no idea who Singer was or the groundwork he

had laid for animal rights, let alone that his essay would be a

cornerstone to my lifestyle change (I choose not to use the word

conversion here, even though it is suitable, because of the negative

connotations).

"All Animals Are Equal" by Peter Singer. His argument was a bit of an
eye opener even though anyone could come to the same conclusion using
common sense. It went into drawing comparisons between animals and
slaves, women and infants. In the end, it was simple. If you believe
that animals feel pain (which they most certainly do) and you don't
want to contribute to that pain and suffering, then you shouldn't eat
animals.

At the time, I knew it was the right thing to do. But giving up
anything, let alone meat, isn't easy. The moral implications alone
weren't compelling enough. I did however learn to respect those who
were strong enough to abstain from animals and animal products because
contrary to what a lot of people think, most vegetarians/vegans do not
hate the taste of meat. They probably loved eating meat just as much
as anybody. I know I did.

Which is why It would take me five years to revisit Peter Singer.

Why Am I Here and Why Does It Matter?

My experience with veganism is still new since it's only been a couple of weeks, but I sure have read and heard an abundance of different remarks and criticisms, either ignorant, good-intentioned or both. My goal here is not to answer all the naysayers who make hateful comments (of which, most are embarrassingly uninformed). It's also not to support those who force their views, no matter how ethical, onto others. However, I will dispel common myths and cheer on good-hearted activists.

My goal here is personal and communal. Obviously, it's a blog for me to reflect and sort through the conflicts and issues, "woes" if you will, that come up. Through that, though, I hope it clears confusion and resolves arguments that others may have. I only ask that you keep an open mind, and to seek out your own information, objectively. Please don't make the silly mistake of searching for just the evidence that supports your theory, while ignoring opposing views. Of course, if along the way, you need a friend to talk all things vegan, feel free to reach out.

I'm not completely vegan yet, in the sense that I haven't given away all my non-vegan clothing yet, though I made a healthy start. But even then, it's tough to be 100% vegan. Sometimes you can't get around it, as I'm quickly learning. Did you know that everyday dental floss or your car's rubber tires may not be vegan? But my aim isn't to adhere as strictly as possible to preset rules. That shouldn't be anybody's aim for anything in life. People who buy into a system of beliefs shouldn't do so mindlessly. Any "rule" of the system should be questioned. Why do you do the things you do? What are the reasons and benefits? Who gets hurt? Is it ethical? What I've learned just from the first few days was how conscious a lifestyle veganism can be, if you're truly inquisitive and curious, or if you care about what you consume or purchase and how it affects everything around you.

With so much going on in the world, so many big issues, real struggles, the life-threatening kind, many wonder why this lifestyle choice even matters. You may even think it doesn't matter at all. Well then you'd be misunderstanding it. Quite the opposite. In the first place, small choices you make at the register drive the economy. How the economy affects the world and foreign relations, that connection you should already know. Second, how you treat your body affects your overall health, your ability to contribute to said economy and the price you pay for health care (or the price your neighbor pays for your health care and vice versa). These are just two very broad points about how what you do matters, how one person makes a difference. And it's the lesson we learn as children that we stop believing in somewhere along the way.

love and peace,
VG