Let’s get together
Vegans! We are wayward, my friends. More and more I’m seeing vegans out there (mostly on Instagram) feeling superior, taking ourselves too seriously, and shitting on the way other people live, and that’s just bad for the plant-based base y’all
I know this blog is about food, and like at this point, only my family reads it. But eating plant-based food is just one aspect of self-care for my family and I want to make it clear where on stand on this shiz before more people check me out.
Eating vegan is kind to yourself because it’s healthy and nutritious. It’s kind to animals because, well - they don’t get killed. But straight up, industrial agriculture is not kind to the environment or farm workers. The increased demand for grains like quinoa and produce like avocados such has left farmers in other countries in trouble. Do you drive a car or throw things away? You are contributing to climate change. Do you wear fast fashion? You are contributing to the oppression of low wage workers and even child labor.
We’re also often also making the sweeping assumption that plant-based eating is possible for everyone. Let’s remember, food deserts, the information divide, socioeconomic conditions and all kinds of other issues factor into whether or not a person can even choose to eat only plants, let alone buy what they need to do it healthily. We blow up Instagram with fiddlehead fern salads and organic dragonfruit smoothie bowls, but those are not even REAL to most people around the country.
A layer deeper? If we can take the time to protest the slaughter of animals, we can attend a Black Lives Matter rally. Or make sure to shop at minority owned businesses. Call our representatives about immigration reform. And so, on and so on….
Let’s not forget we need to be kind to each other, too. If we want more people to join us, we cannot be assholes. Feeling superior for not eating animals is missing the point of not doing it in the first place. We cannot take this step and feel we are done or better than the person next to us. There’s always more to do, always ways to improve yourself and be of service to others.
“We are all here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.” Thich Nhat Hanh
“Shut your mouth and open your eyes.” AFI
