I’d like to start off by saying that I don’t think of myself as an activist. I believe that everyone should be allowed to decide what’s best for themselves and that no one should be judged for whatever decisions they make. However, I can’t help but wonder, would people would see things differently if they had all of the facts? For example, would people continue to eat chicken after watching them being hauled into a live poultry shop? I couldn’t help but wonder as I sat and watched as a couple of guys (not the ones shown in the photo) slammed these crates on the ground one on top of the other.
For the longest time I ate what was put in front of me with no questions asked. It wasn’t until I was a young adult living on my own and preparing my own food that I thought to myself “Gross! My chicken is bleeding!” I was protected from that as a child. Out of sight, out of mind. Little by little I was becoming more conscious. More aware. Then I moved to New Jersey right next to a live poultry shop and it was then that I saw my ‘food’ for what it really was.
Looking inside of the live poultry shop was horrifying. Chickens were packed into tiny cages where they ate and pooped all over the place. The smell as you walked by hit you like a brick wall. It was disgusting! And you can smell it all the way down the street! Seeing the chickens hauled into the shop daily was just as disturbing. Sometimes the chickens would try to escape only to have a man in a rubber apron running after them. Why? Because that was someone’s dinner! I tried to convince myself that getting my chicken from the supermarket was better… more humane. Until my husband bluntly pointed out “Hun, it’s the same thing. Except the supermarkets package it up and make it look a little nicer. But in the end it’s the same exact thing.” I couldn’t argue with him. He was right. So I took a stand and gave up meat.
Now here’s where I’m tempted to confront people. Many times I see people walk by the live poultry shop and watch as they gasp in horror. Or block their noses and scream “Gross!” or “Ewww!” They gag, they spit and they turn their heads away. Then walk right across the street into the fried chicken store. I wonder if they realize what they just did. I scratch my head, then shake my head in disbelief and wonder… what if they had someone bluntly telling them that “It’s the same thing.” Would they too change their ways?
Then there are the people standing outside of the live poultry shop waiting for their food to be ‘ready’. I wonder what goes through their head. Are they even aware of what’s going on in there? Do they even care? Would they still make this purchase if they had to watch the whole process? I know I couldn’t.
During this year of VeganMoFo, you probably didn’t learn much from my blog. I didn’t share many recipes. I didn’t share many cool tips or tricks. I didn’t really bring much to the table. But I do feel that I taught you all a little something. That something is this, you can eat all the wonderful things everyone claims vegans can’t possibly eat. You can eat chicken biscuits, chicken club sandwiches, pumpkin doughnuts, soups, cupcakes, etc. You can do all that without hurting a single creature. Something shouldn’t have to die a horrible death for you to enjoy the meal.
So the next time you’re at the supermarket getting things for dinner, stop by the meat department and really look at what you’re about to put in your cart or hand basket. Then ask yourself this “If I were to watch this creature get slaughtered right before me, could I still eat it?” If you answer no, go buy yourself this book: Veganomicon. There are many other wonderful vegan cookbooks out there. But Veganomicon is like the vegan bible. Well, my vegan bible anyway. I’m convinced that this book alone can convert anyone. If you answer yes, you’re a sick bastard. Now get the eff off my blog!
