Enjoy, my veggies!
http://vegansaurus.com/post/254784826/defensive-omnivore-bingo
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Farm Sanctuary
In July, 2009, I made a really good decision. I accepted an internship at Farm Sanctuary, the nation's largest farm animal sanctuary. There are two sanctuaries--one in Upstate New York, and one in Northern California. I accepted a position as the Development Intern in New York, packed my bags, and went to the farm.
Although I was only on the farm for a month, this was most definitely a life-changing experience. Not only did this experience build my advocacy skills, it also allowed me to learn from veteran animal activists who have been crucial members of the Animal Rights Movement from the beginning of the revolution. With my fellow interns, I also created a social network of young, angry, passionate vegans who I still talk to today. Being able to bask in the vegan bubble, spend time with beautiful farm animals, binge on yummy vegan food, and become educated on the issues surrounding Animal Rights and factory farming was no-doubt a highlight of my fairly short life.
Farm Sanctuary not only rescues and shelters farm animals, it is extremely active in farm animal rights and vegan outreach. The farm gives hour-long tours during tour season, takes interns for multiple departments, has an online and on-site store, and holds benefits like the Country Hoedown, Fourth of July Pignic, and Walk For Farm Animals, annually. Great strides for farm animals and factory farming laws, like Prop. 12 and The No-Downer Act have been started and finished by Farm Sanctuary.
I just registered for the Farm Sanctuary Former Intern Retreat in New York for a weekend in June. I couldn't be more excited to reconnect with my fellow vegans, hang out in the goat barn for some goat/sheep cuddles, take a tour or two, and rejuvenate my vegan passion. If you have the chance to visit Farm Sanctuary, PLEASE do. It will change your life, as it did mine. Farm Sanctuary is responsible for my veganism, and my advocacy for farm animals. Also, you get to pet some very sweet cow noses.
Although I was only on the farm for a month, this was most definitely a life-changing experience. Not only did this experience build my advocacy skills, it also allowed me to learn from veteran animal activists who have been crucial members of the Animal Rights Movement from the beginning of the revolution. With my fellow interns, I also created a social network of young, angry, passionate vegans who I still talk to today. Being able to bask in the vegan bubble, spend time with beautiful farm animals, binge on yummy vegan food, and become educated on the issues surrounding Animal Rights and factory farming was no-doubt a highlight of my fairly short life.
Farm Sanctuary not only rescues and shelters farm animals, it is extremely active in farm animal rights and vegan outreach. The farm gives hour-long tours during tour season, takes interns for multiple departments, has an online and on-site store, and holds benefits like the Country Hoedown, Fourth of July Pignic, and Walk For Farm Animals, annually. Great strides for farm animals and factory farming laws, like Prop. 12 and The No-Downer Act have been started and finished by Farm Sanctuary.
I just registered for the Farm Sanctuary Former Intern Retreat in New York for a weekend in June. I couldn't be more excited to reconnect with my fellow vegans, hang out in the goat barn for some goat/sheep cuddles, take a tour or two, and rejuvenate my vegan passion. If you have the chance to visit Farm Sanctuary, PLEASE do. It will change your life, as it did mine. Farm Sanctuary is responsible for my veganism, and my advocacy for farm animals. Also, you get to pet some very sweet cow noses.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Preaching to the Choir
I've been vegan for three years. I am vegan for many reasons, but nothing motivates me as much as feeling that it is the right thing to do. I am a lover of animals, people, the environment, and life. I believe in non-violence. I believe in not causing harm or suffering to any living creature, no matter how small or stupid or populous. I am more passionate about animal rights than anything else--it is my fight and my platform. I am loud and proud. I believe with all of my heart that it is the best choice--for your well-being, the environment, and of course, the economy, and of course, the animals--to go vegan.
Obviously, most people disagree. Less than 1% of the population is vegan, however, it is a growing movement (in fact, the fastest growing rights movement in history). I am honored to be part of generation that is becoming increasingly conscious and compassionate, and making choices that will benefit future generations. We try to clean up the damage that generations past have caused. It is a positive thing. No one should oppose an attempt to make our planet a more peaceful, less violent, more sustainable place.
There was a time where I was so upset about the mass suffering of "food" animals. As I became more aware of the horrific conditions of our factory farms, and even our smaller "family farms," I had trouble getting out of bed. It was a cruel awakening...one that lit a fire under my ass. I channeled this sadness and anger into my animal activism. I took an internship at an animal rights organization and the biggest farm animal sanctuary in the nation in upstate NY. I was educated. I made bonds with like-minded people and amazing animals. There was no turning back. I visited veal stockyards and had newborn calves, bleating with fear, wet umbilical cords, sucking on my finger--destined to a short, but painful life in a veal crate.
In summary (if you are impatient, let this be the only paragraph you read): Animal rights issues and veganism are not laughing matters to me. Though I face disrespect and "jokes" on a daily basis, and I try to brush it off, there is nothing funny to me about the horror of what I have seen. There is no "lightening up." There is no, "It's just a joke!" It's not a joke to me. You wouldn't make a Holocaust joke to a Jew (I hope), and you wouldn't make a "let's kill animals" joke to a vegan. It's not cool. It's not funny. And it's not fair to make an ignorant statement and then call people "uptight" or "immature" for defending their beliefs. I think we call that...bullying? If you still think that I'm just being uptight or immature, or if you think you should get to make as many "opposable thumbs to hold a steak knife," "look at my canine teeth", "I love animals...ON MY PLATE" jokes as you want...maybe just--don't! Maybe just hold your tongue! I promise there is no corny joke you can make that we haven't heard before; I promise we won't think it's funny. May it be an exercise in self-control and tact. How hard is it to just keep yo mouth shut?
Please be respectful. And pick something you DO believe in to put energy into--not something you DON'T believe in. Make your anger productive.
Obviously, most people disagree. Less than 1% of the population is vegan, however, it is a growing movement (in fact, the fastest growing rights movement in history). I am honored to be part of generation that is becoming increasingly conscious and compassionate, and making choices that will benefit future generations. We try to clean up the damage that generations past have caused. It is a positive thing. No one should oppose an attempt to make our planet a more peaceful, less violent, more sustainable place.
There was a time where I was so upset about the mass suffering of "food" animals. As I became more aware of the horrific conditions of our factory farms, and even our smaller "family farms," I had trouble getting out of bed. It was a cruel awakening...one that lit a fire under my ass. I channeled this sadness and anger into my animal activism. I took an internship at an animal rights organization and the biggest farm animal sanctuary in the nation in upstate NY. I was educated. I made bonds with like-minded people and amazing animals. There was no turning back. I visited veal stockyards and had newborn calves, bleating with fear, wet umbilical cords, sucking on my finger--destined to a short, but painful life in a veal crate.
In summary (if you are impatient, let this be the only paragraph you read): Animal rights issues and veganism are not laughing matters to me. Though I face disrespect and "jokes" on a daily basis, and I try to brush it off, there is nothing funny to me about the horror of what I have seen. There is no "lightening up." There is no, "It's just a joke!" It's not a joke to me. You wouldn't make a Holocaust joke to a Jew (I hope), and you wouldn't make a "let's kill animals" joke to a vegan. It's not cool. It's not funny. And it's not fair to make an ignorant statement and then call people "uptight" or "immature" for defending their beliefs. I think we call that...bullying? If you still think that I'm just being uptight or immature, or if you think you should get to make as many "opposable thumbs to hold a steak knife," "look at my canine teeth", "I love animals...ON MY PLATE" jokes as you want...maybe just--don't! Maybe just hold your tongue! I promise there is no corny joke you can make that we haven't heard before; I promise we won't think it's funny. May it be an exercise in self-control and tact. How hard is it to just keep yo mouth shut?
Please be respectful. And pick something you DO believe in to put energy into--not something you DON'T believe in. Make your anger productive.
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