Five things to think about whether you're considering a lifestyle change or not. Words by Autumn Parham
Infographic by Zachary Cordisco & Connor Goicoechea
While many of us know the famous Finding Nemo line, “fish are friends, not food,” others don’t see how the shark is closely representative of the human. We are powerful at the top of the food chain, with two thumbs and can do whatever we want. Killing other living, breathing, and thinking organisms is wrong. Though many living creatures can think, and even dream, they do not posses the vocal cords necessary to communicate their lack of desire to be, you know, killed for your meal.
The sad story behind that ham or roast beef sandwich is the process in which they prepare the animals to be consumed. As if slaughtering wasn’t harsh enough, the short life that many beloved farm animals face are filled with abuse. Confined to small dimensions of a cage or a pin, many animals are beaten senseless, thrown haphazardly or even moved forcibly by forklifts. Many baby pigs are taken, and castrated, without anesthesia and as for male chicks, they are immediately thrown into grinders, rendered useless because they are incapable of producing eggs.
Many brands of packaged meat, such as Tyson, have been tested to reveal that they contain bacteria known to cause stomach pains, fever, and everyone’s personal favorite — diarrhea. It is very common for meat to be contaminated by feces, other bodily fluids, and even blood. All of this occurs during the meat preparation process.
There are some people who consider themselves ‘green’ and environmentalist. By forgoing meat, individuals actually have the opportunity to help the earth as a whole. The meat industry is a large contributor to climate change, due to the pollution and waste that comes from their plants and slaughterhouses. According to PETA, it is more effective to adopt a vegan lifestyle, rather than switching to a ‘greener’ car.
A common misconception is that vegan and vegetarians go without eating, and spend most of their days crying in corners with celery sticks. This is wrong, and many people who argue they simply “love meat too much,” haven’t been exposed to new alternatives being offered. A vegetarian or vegan can still remain alive and well without the consumption of meat. There are even imitations of chicken and beef made with soy that still have a similar taste. Come on, they even have dairy-free icecream. It’s also time to break the common misconception that broccoli is the only option, a lot of tasty snacks are vegan; including milk’s favorite cookie, the Oreo.
While many see vegans and vegetarians as drastic people who wish to convert everyone, there are some who simply encourage everyone to try their lifestyle, even for a week. The decision to become vegan or vegetarian has a positive impact on not only animals, but the universe as a whole. The true difference between a non-meat eater and a vegan/vegetarian is simply the way they view things. 17 INSIGHT