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January 1998 No Pity Necessary By Heidi Cohen

Why does it seem that when your compassion extends beyond the human race you are expected by others to justify this philosophy? Countless times I hear various statements about my diet and other lifestyle choices such as: That must be hard to do. It's a full time job! Isn't it inconvenient to go out to eat? You can't eat that; don't you feel deprived? You can't wear leather or wool? I find it ironic when people feel sorry for vegans, since these individuals are sadly brainwashed into believing that what they're doing is right and anyone differing in practice is weird, radical or freaky. Personally, I feel privileged to be living my life against the grain.

     I actually find it insulting and sad that other people pity me, feeling that somehow my life is incomplete and lacking in the same indulgences which they enjoy in their own lives. Many believe my life is inconvenient--a "task." Yet, I consider myself one of the fortunate few lucky enough to know about animal exploitation. I have made an educated decision to take no part in it.

A Gift

It's a deep emotional caring, an intense passion, that prohibits me from partaking in typical societal practices. Living life in a way which causes the least possible pain and harm to all living beings and the earth is a blissful existence--a beautiful gift to proudly cherish. It is not about deprivation and difficulty. I am at peace with my inner self and deeply connected to all beings and the roots of the earth.

As for not being able to enjoy and relish food, this could not be further from the truth. The array of food available in a total plant-based diet far surpasses the standard American meat-and-potato plate. Once an individual overcomes this conditioned diet and begins to experiment with other foods--nuts, seeds, grains, tofu, tempeh, seitan, gluten--the variety of outcome is endless. To please the palate of those craving a meat taste, the choice of mock meat foods available in health food stores and restaurants is beyond belief. Vegan meals are far from dull and repetitious.

Of course, some believe it is easier and more convenient not to know the gruesome truth. As a vegan, it often hurts to care and feel so much. Life would be easier without the knowledge of all the pain surrounding us. Sure, we could live in a make-believe plastic bubble of society, believing what we don't know won't hurt us and that there's nothing we can do as individuals to change it. Instead, vegans choose to live as consciously aware individuals, realizing and recognizing the potential that our buying power as consumers has on big corporate industry.

Knowing and Acting

Although the painful facts of reality which created a vegan movement still exist, we are continuously put into the position of justifying why we live our life the way we do. The real question is "Why do the majority of people do what they do?" Often, when we do begin to share our beliefs and explain why we live our life in this way, we are told that we're preaching--pushing our views on others. Most prefer not to hear the explicitly graphic details of factory farms, research laboratories, circuses, fur farms and other atrocities. Obviously, we shouldn't expect others to agree with our principles immediately. However, I do believe it is everyone's responsibility to educate themselves with pertinent information. People should learn the facts. Only then, after both sides of the story are learned, can a conscious, educated decision be made.

Unfortunately, many learn these truths but dismiss them. Perhaps they feel that change is impossible and things will continue to remain as they are. Still others feel that a change in diet or lifestyle is too drastic and their lives are too convenient the way they are. It is the way they have always lived, all they have ever known and it is too difficult to embrace change. I find it difficult to understand how someone can claim that they care, yet never act. It's almost as if they've shut out all the pain and horror while they are using their animal-tested products or eating their chicken sandwich. I feel sorrow for these individuals who find it impossible to change. But I must remember to be compassionate and understanding.

Vegetarians, vegans and animal advocates must try to enlighten others by spreading the message that everyone can make a difference if we empower ourselves with knowledge and action. We must be proud to care and act on behalf of compassion. And we must always keep in mind that we can make a difference on an individual level. So, when you hear someone pitying veganism, be sure to share the beauty of why we live this way.

Heidi Cohen is an animal activist who lives on Long Island.

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