The topic of eating meat or choosing to go vegan is one that often causes conflict; as a self-proclaimed omnivore, I have thus far chosen to live my life in the parameters of taste — if it tastes good, I will eat it, no matter what animal products the food may contain. I’ve never shied away from sushi or thought twice before ordering a burger.
With this in mind, I do wholly support veganism. It is undeniably a choice that is better for the earth, as well as one’s own body. According to National Geographic, a single hamburger takes more than 600 gallons of water to produce, in addition to the obvious health risks that come along with following a diet that includes processed meat.
Although these truths are indisputable, many, including myself, still choose to stick with a diet that we know causes more harm to both the world we live in and ourselves because we do not want to give up a food that we enjoy. While not everyone chooses to cease their consumption of animal products, it’s important to note and respect these truths that inspire many to adopt veganism.
Curious to learn more about this debate, I attended a lecture by Hanh Nguyen, a speaker sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, at an event hosted on campus by the Binghamton University Animal Alliance. I sat in on a conversation that considered “going vegan” as not only a health and environmental decision, but as a decision that encompasses morality and ethics.
Nguyen presented the point that we think of humans as a species who are afforded fundamental rights, such as safety from being used as clothing, food sources and cruel entertainment, but we do not grant nonhuman animal species these same rights. In the same way that we institutionalize oppression against minority groups in society, we institutionalize violence against nonhuman animals.
Further, we select species that we feel we owe a moral obligation to and choose to view others as a food source. Why do we choose to fiercely protect our family pets, but feel no moral dilemma when eating a cheeseburger? We grant moral consideration and feel emotional bonds to our pets, but turn a blind eye and dismiss these feelings when it comes to an animal we are eating for dinner. Humans justify this behavior by upholding the belief that the human species is in a category that is distinct from our animal counterparts — we believe that animals do not deserve the same treatment that we afford to mankind.
The moral dilemma is one that is uncomfortable, and therefore, not commonly examined. Most are not okay with admitting that our actions make the statement that humans view themselves as superior to all other species. We think of certain species, like the great apes, elephants, dolphins and ourselves, as intelligent and therefore worthy of compassion, but deny that animals such as chickens, pigs and cows deserve empathy.
Admittedly, listening to Nguyen’s lecture did not turn me into a vegan. I will still continue the same eating patterns and unfortunately, as I learned through her talk, these actions classify me as somewhat morally ignorant. However, Nguyen’s talk did leave me with a deeper understanding and appreciation for those who are able to commit to a vegan or vegetarian diet — reducing our meat consumption does our planet a great service, and this should be commended.
Veganism isn’t for everyone, and at this point in my life, it isn’t for me. However, it is important for everyone to consider the ethical implications of their actions before making decisions about what they consume. Food for thought.
Hannah Rosenfield is a senior majoring in English.