Why Did You Go Vegan?

Chela

When I was in elementary school, my dad was a "sportsman" (hunting and fishing, sadly). As soon as I was old enough to comprehend, I was a devoted "animal lover" and knew it was wrong to kill and eat animals. I would see my dad coming home with a dead deer or a cooler full of fish and be disgusted. I would not eat anyone whose kill or "preparation" I had witnessed. That was the first step in my awareness. However, I am ashamed to admit, I took no action against the hidden suffering of the commercial meat industry, and continued to eat the packaged flesh from the grocery store.

When I was in 6th grade, I was interested in vegetarianism because I had veg relatives and thought it was the "cool" thing to do. I read the Teen's Guide to Going Vegetarian, which has a detailed account of the environmental, health, and animal welfare aspects of vegetarianism. I went lacto-ovo immediately, stopped eating meat byproducts like rennet and gelatin, and did a report on vegetarianism for one of my classes. Over the two years I was l-o veg, I supported the Humane Society, United Poultry Concerns, and other animal rights organizations. For almost a year before going vegan, I was fully aware of the suffering in the egg and dairy industries, yet pledged to "go vegan when I'm 18." At that point, I advocated for animal rights and compassion- but did it hypocritically, because I was aware of what I should stop eating, but had not yet taken action. In the seventh grade, I had never met another vegan, and it seemed a radical thing to do. However, when eighth grade rolled around, I decided to seriously consider it.

In December 2000, I stopped eating "straight" dairy, egg, and other animal products, but continued eating foods, for example, that contained egg, milk, whey or casein. At that point I also did not consider clothing, personal care products, etc. Meanwhile, I wrote to Vegan Outreach, American Vegan Soc., North American Veg Soc., among others, requesting info and vegan "starter packs." I read every veg and nutrition book I could get my hands on, consulted my docter, and surfed the web. I also did a lot of thinking and meditating on whether I really believed it was ethically acceptable to eat foods that contained undeveloped cells that, at one point, had the potential to turn into baby chickens, or to consume any amount of the breast fluid of another species, intended for the young of that species. I also considered my beliefs on honey, zoos, circuses, animal testing, and other animal rights issues. There and then, I came to the conclusion that nonhuman animals are morally equivalent to human beings.

I am now 14 and have been completely vegan for 7 months. I now have a clear conscience and can honestly call myself an animal lover! I have converted one other friend to veganism and three others to vegetarianism, hopefully to take the next step.

Another interesting note: My parents are both overweight, and one of my siblings has diabetes, a thyroid condition, allergies, and high cholesterol. I have been appointed the family "chef" at age 14, and cook 100% cholesterol-free, compassionate, and health-promoting meals. Although I doubt they will ever make a complete switch, they are "exposed" to many different vegan foods daily and have learned to eat healthier and happier.

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