vegan versions (was: Here's a thought.... )

[Guest guest]

> More simply and personally, why would i emulate something that i feel is so horrific?

 

I think it is good to have "faux" vegan versions of foods, clothes and everything imaginable, so that people have alternatives than using the animal versions. Also, there are buttons and even patches that speak to the clothing item being 'fake'.

 

> Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates the history of our nation, one that involves the genocide of almost an entire race of people,

> and the continued massacre of millions of animals each year.

 

I don't think using a vegan version of an originally animal based product implies that the horrible cruelty or symbolic nature of that item is transferred to the vegan version. Quite the opposite - a vegan version shows the positive alternative possible.

 

> Why would i even acknowledge this practice and try to replicate it, even if compassionately?

 

It's really a personal choice.. but my choice ... Why not? After all, sometimes it does take Thanksgiving to remind me that I really love mashed potatoes & gravy and stuffing .. not because of anything more symbolic than the fact that they taste good. And why should I, just because I'm vegan, deny myself the pleasure of this wonderful opportunity to indulge in some awesome vegan foods.

 

In previous years, some of the volunteers who have organized events for BAVeg on Thanksgiving Day have called them "Save the Turkey!" events, etc. Personally, I don't think it matters what they're called. It's the spirit and community of sharing and enjoying vegan foods that means Thanksgiving to me.

 

I do understand, however, that Thanksgiving can and most likely does mean different things to each of us.

 

Cheers,

Tammy

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Joelle wrote:

Why would I even acknowledge this practice and try to replicate it, even if compassionately?

Tammy wrote:

In previous years, some of the volunteers who have organized events for BAVeg on Thanksgiving Day have called them "Save the Turkey!" events, etc.  Personally, I don't think it matters what they're called.  It's the spirit and community of sharing and enjoying vegan foods that means Thanksgiving to me.

 

My response:

I agree with Tammy, I personally reclaim Thanksgiving and Christmas (for that matter) and make them my own holiday with my own meaning that have nothing to do with the traditional meaning of those holidays that most people celebrate. I see them as days when all my friends, family and loved ones have the day off just like me so I see them as great opportunities to get together and celebrate compassion and other ideals that are important to me on those days.

 

Joelle wrote:

"More simply and personally, why would I emulate something that i feel is so horrific?"

 

Tammy wrote:

I think it is good to have "faux" vegan versions of foods, clothes and everything imaginable, so that people have alternatives than using the animal versions.  Also, there are buttons and even patches that speak to the clothing item being 'fake'. 

 

 

My response:

As far as food goes, if I eat something like tofurkey (for example) I am smart enough to know that it's a vegan product so I don't see why it even matters. Regarding fur, like Tammy said there are buttons, patches and stickers that will let others know that it's fake, however I do worry that for people wearing fake fur that looks real and are not wearing stickers that say it's fake then it can send the wrong message to people who might think it's real so I would highly recommend to anyone who wears real looking fake fur to put a sticker on it declaring it as fake! The same can be said for fake leather. However, like Tammy, I'm glad that faux products do exist for people who want to wear them.

 

Warren

 

 

 

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