Living Without Meat

Apparently, I’m an adamant vegan, ready to stand up for my beliefs, even in my dreams. I just woke up from a dream where a man was yelling at a group of us. He was angry that blood kept getting smeared places and that, clearly, it was vegans doing this. I remember what I said exactly:

Me: Excuse me. I have not seen this blood smearing that you talk about, but I saw the tinniest iota of a tiny speck of blood the other day and I cleaned it up. And I am vegan.

Then he went on blabbering about how all vegans are the same and I am just not a real one because I am not yet gung ho.

Me: I’m sorry, but one time I saw an overweight man once that need a wheelchair. You’re overweight, where’s your wheelchair? One time I met a man who wore glasses that was the meanest person ever. You wear glasses, so you must be mean.

Analyze that dream! Am I feeling attacked, judged, or stereotyped based on my beliefs? Somewhat, I am, and always do. Vegans, animal rights supporters, and vegetarians seem to be fair game to lump together and make general assumptions about. I am angry, but I don’t fully blame the ignorant people who judge me. I am angry at the militant, law-breaking animal liberators. I am angered by the people who use “I’m a vegan” to cover up eating disorders. I am angry when vegans become so absrobed in the cause that they no longer value human life.

I am a vegan. I believe in animal rights and human rights. I do not break laws, but I do make a difference. I eat plenty, but I am skinny. I love children just as much as I love animals.