Veganism in a Nutshell: Conclusion

by Bruce Friedrich, PETA

In conclusion, I’m convinced, on the basis of the evidence, that a vegan diet is, without a doubt, the very best choice for our health, the only sustainable choice for the environment, and the only choice that expresses in a positive manner who we are in the world—compassionate people, compassionate toward people and toward animals.

Albert Einstein said that nothing would benefit humanity more than the general adoption of a vegetarian diet. Leo Tolstoy stated, “Vegetarianism is the taproot of humanitarianism.” Their point, as they elaborated, is that eating is essential to who we are. There is a lot of suffering in the world. There are a lot of problems. Solutions will require time and devotion from people of goodwill. But if every time we sit down to eat we choose to support animal abuse, unjust human and environmental degradation, what does that say about our integrity, about our commitment to other issues of social justice? Again, according to Tolstoy, “Vegetarianism is the taproot of humanitarianism.”

It is interesting to recall that slavery on this continent flourished from the 1520s until the mid-1860s. Women were not given the right to vote in the U.S. until 1920, with the passage of the 19th Amendment. Many people listening probably have close relatives who were alive when there was a spirited debate in Congress about whether the Union would dissolve if these irrational creatures, women, were given a say in governance. One hundred years ago, there wasn’t a single law against child abuse in this country. Not one. Your child was your property.

One hundred years ago, there was not a single country on the planet that guaranteed the vote to all adults. It’s remarkable to recall that just 350 years ago, the Pope sentenced Galileo to the torture chamber until he would recant the “heresy” that the Earth is not the center of the physical universe.

For a bit of historical perspective here, let’s recall that Socrates was teaching 2,600 years ago; Plato and Aristotle were philosophizing 2,500 years ago. Jesus was preaching 2,000 years ago. Shakespeare was writing 500 years ago. But we just got around to saying, “Hey, maybe people shouldn’t hold slaves, and maybe people shouldn’t be free to beat their children, and maybe women are rational enough to be given a say in governance,” fewer than 150 years ago.

I mention all this only to point out how quickly things change. Not long ago, a mere historical blink of an eye, society believed with complete certainty the diametrical opposite of what we believe, and with equal certainty, to be true about many things today.

Look how far the animal rights movement has come in, historically, no time at all. In just the past 20 years, science has shown that a vegan diet is the healthiest and environmental researchers have proved that eating meat, dairy products, and eggs is not sustainable. Even more importantly, the scientific view that animals are don’t feel emotion has been replaced by a new, belated understanding that, of course, they do. In just the past few years, the issue of animal treatment on factory farms has taken center stage, with the U.S. Congress decrying slaughterhouse treatment of animals, the fast-food giants requiring some improvements for animals, and The Washington Post running front-page stories about some of the abuses.

When I became a vegan in 1987, vegetarian foods were just coming on the market, and some didn’t taste very good. Now, Silk-brand soy milk is in every grocery store in the country, and even shows like 20/20 are proving, in blind taste tests, that people like it better than cow’s milk. Chains like Burger King, Johnny Rockets, and Ruby Tuesday are selling fabulous veggie burgers across the country. Veggie wraps and gourmet salads are more popular than ever. Millions and millions of people are learning that moral integrity requires that when we sit down to eat, we make conscious choices, rather than unconscious ones, and that the only diet for environmentalists, animal lovers, and people who care about their health is a vegan one.

The 18th century saw the beginnings of our democratic system, which was the first to hold that “all men are created equal” and which established, under the law, basic freedoms such as the rights to assemble peacefully, practice one’s chosen religion, say what one likes, and print what one likes. The 19th century abolished slavery in the developed world. The 20th century abolished child labor, criminalized child abuse, and gave women the vote and blacks wider rights. If we all do as much as we can, the 21st century CAN be the one for animal rights.

I suppose for me, it boils down to Socrates’ adage from 2600 years ago, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” It seems to me that what it means to be a person of integrity is that I try to ask questions, that I try not to support things that I oppose, that I try to make my life mean something.

That’s what I think it means to have integrity—that I try to lead a life that is in keeping with my professed values—my opposition to human exploitation, my view of myself as an environmentalist, my desire to be as healthy as possible, so I can work and play harder, my belief in kindness, toward other people and toward animals.

Please ask yourself: “Would you want to work on a factory farm, searing the beaks off of chickens or castrating pigs and cows without painkillers, and so on.” “Would you want to work on a factory fishing trawler?” “Are other areas of your life where you participate in practices that would repulse you if you had to watch them happening.” You know, most of us could watch grains being tilled or even spend an afternoon shucking corn or picking beans, fruits, or vegetables. Seriously, how many of us would want to spend an afternoon slitting open animals’ throats?

Some people go vegan overnight; others take a bit more time. I don’t want to discount the power that convenience, social pressure, and so on, can wield. Clearly, any decision to decrease consumption of animal products is to be celebrated, even as it’s seen as a step toward the transition to a totally vegan diet..

I think that ethics must include living a life that is, as much as possible, in keeping with our basic values. We can’t be perfect, but we really should all do as much as we can.

I have no doubt that in 100 years, human beings will look back on the human mistreatment of other animals with the same horror we presently reserve for historical injustices such as slavery and moral transgressions against human beings.

Animals suffer and die like we do. Animals are made of the same stuff we are. Eating them is an act of gluttony and disregard for our own health, for the environment, for the global poor, and most of all, for our fellow animals. If you are not a vegan, please work toward becoming one. If you are a vegan, thank you so much for caring and please become more active.

One of the exciting things about helping animals, the Earth, and your own health is that you don’t have to fill out a form or make a call. You can start today, by choosing a healthy, humane, vegan meal when you sit down to eat.

Thank you for listening.