It was just yesterday night, while preparing the meal with my father...

As many, I did say I cared about the animals although never did anything to prove it. I closed my eyes to prevent from seeing the horrors that were inflicted to animals killed for food, clothing and much more. It's always been easier to do so.

Then, last night, while preparing our dinner, I was listenning to the radio. As a matter of fact, the documentary Earthlings was being discussed. I heard a woman say that she probably wouldn't be able to watch the whole film, for it was a very hard one.

So I got curious. I came on the internet and searched for the documentary. I watched it, and I cried, I cried so much...I went to bed right after, and, inevitably, made nightmares. Of course, just one day after (today, that is), I still see the terrible images in my head. In fact, I hope I will always see them, to always remind me. I forced myself to watch the documentary because I knew it was time for me to be sensibilized. I felt disgust, I felt hatred towards the whole human race, by all means including myself, and then wondered what I could do.

Therefore, I came here, hoping some would inspire me. Tell me, what do you do? What can one do? I want to start by changing my eating habits, as well as, of course, clothing and other. I want to make the people I know watch this documentary too, as we should all have seen it. But I wanna know, what is the next step? What do you do?

Hi Joelle, welcome aboard!

I, and I'm sure all other boarders here, can surely recall, by reading your words, what we felt when we first watched Earthlings.

The ignorance (many times self-imposed) about the reality of our relationship with those animals we supposedly care about is so widespread and 'invisible' to most of us that when we actually see the truth our worlds are shaken. Hard.

Although I was already a vegan when I watched it, it still demolished me and sent me into a black hole for quite a while. I cried a lot that day (and the many times I’ve had to watch the movie again in order to get others to watch it) and built up a lot of anger inside me... perhaps because I still felt responsible somehow.

I remember a review that read: “With its graphic footage of violence against other animals, Earthlings is a very difficult DVD to watch, but the real difficulty lies in being forced to think about one’s role in the horrors being depicted.”

I think that the last part of that quote doesn’t only refer to one’s role as a direct an essential actor in the horrific exploitation of other animals -as the ones paying for it- but also our role as passive non-participants. In that way, Earthlings slapped me in the face and made me realize that I didn’t only had an obligation not to be a part of injustice, but also the responsibility of doing something to end the injustice.

At that stage, the way to go for me was to get involved and be active in spreading the word, both, about the reality of the exploitation of other animals, and about the alternative that's out there for all of us to choose - veganism. It was time for me to stop just being angry and start to do something!

I think you are on the right path. Changing oneself is essential if one wants to change anything else. Begin with your eating habits. It might look hard at first, but with a little knowledge and a little practice, it becomes really easy...and tasty! There are loads of information on the net regarding veganism and its dietary aspect. Nutrition, recipes, etc. Google is your friend!

After that, sharing what you know with others becomes massively important. Be sure to get ready to have the answers to their questions, because they will have plenty... or come here and ask us if they ask you a tricky one! Perhaps we can help you help them.

Anyway, I have to go now, and this response is long enough so I better give you a break. If there's anything else you'd like to share or ask, don't hesitate. Just write it down.

All the best,

Samuel.

I watched 'Earthlings' tonight, and I have cried since.
I am old, and feeling older.
I live on a small rural island where the chickens range free. The turkeys have their say along our dirt roads and the small dairy herd knows its way to their pasture and each evening guide their Border Collie home.
My good friend and neighbour sells me vegetables, eggs, milk, the occaisional chicken and some meat once a year, which I freeze.
Am I less complicite in the horror depicted in 'Earthlings' because of my personal setting or am I just deluding myself, as I have so often, it seems, done in my life?
I have lost my way. My North Star has died and I have wandered for eight years.
Yet still, as I look out my window, I see life spread out before me. Young life struggling and old succumbing.
I have read the post from Susan, Joelle and Samuel, and others. I sense my path is lost, but perhaps not too far?

Hi, Zelda523, welcome to the board!

You say you sense your path is lost, but perhaps what has really happened is that you’ve realized you weren’t going on the right one! This can be an incredibly positive thing, if you do what’s necessary to make it that way.

Self-delusion is a part of our human psychological make-up, and all we can do is to do our best to keep an open mind and an inquiring eye to avoid it whenever we can. We all want to be happy; we all want to be and be considered ‘good’ and ‘moral’ persons, because this seems to be one of the pre-requisites to be happy, so of course we tend to overlook those situations and habits of ours that might be in conflict with this picture we have or want to have about ourselves. We all do it.

What movies like Earthlings do is to make it incredibly hard (if not impossible) to keep on overlooking this. It has the potential to completely destroy the image we had created for ourselves. This is why this movie is such a good ‘engine’ for change for so many people.

Are you ‘less complicit’ in the horrors that other animals experience everyday? I’d say, in terms of numbers, yes. You seem not to be such a big consumer of animal products so that can put you on the lower half of the ladder.

But ‘less complicit’ still carries complicity. If the only choices were ‘big accomplice’ vs. ‘small accomplice’, then of course being the latter would be the choice to make. However, when staying out of this circle of injustice is in our hands; when being someone who can work to put an end to injustice is a matter of choosing to be it, then I’d have to say that the two first options are not morally justifiable.
If it’s in our hands not to impose suffering on others, we must not impose it. If we can avoid taking away the freedom and life of others, we must avoid it.

If we can reject and oppose the notion that other animals are ours to use and exploit, which is the essential source of most – if not all - of the suffering, deprivation of liberty, and death that we impose on other animals, then we must reject and oppose it.
This is why I defend the position that ‘free-range’ and ‘humanely-slaughtered’ animal-agriculture is not a solution, but just another manifestation of the anthropocentric paradigm that has put other animals in the miserable state we see them today, and also the reason why I think that veganism is really ‘the least we can do’ if we care about other animals.

I really hope you are feeling better, and ready for some change! =)

Kind regards,

Samuel.

Thank you, Samuel. You are right, of course. I still struggle against the hook I am on, but I do see that there is no other ethical course than veganism. Since watching 'Earthlings' 4 days ago, I have tried to eat without meat. Mostly I have been sucessful. I still have milk with my coffee, and I had butter too. This night I was invited out to a neighbours for supper and she served fish, which I ate; it would have been impolite not to.
So I feel I'm my way, though the road will be rough. I have printed your kind reply to put on my fridge and inspire all who come in.
Thank you for your kindness.
I have found a podcast through iTunes, "Vegetarian Food For Thought" that offers a compassionate view towards those who struggle towards an ethical, kind life. The writer, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau lives her life consistent with her spiritual views. As I hope to as well.
Thank you.
Zelda523.

Hi Zelda523!

Well, thank YOU for putting a smile on my face!

It’s always nice to know of someone who has a big heart and the will to live up to it. Gives me an optimist boost!

As you say, the road can be rough (especially at the beginning), but as long as we keep in mind the goal and reasons why (in this case, the well-being of other animals) I’m confident that it’s going to be successful.

Some tips to make it easier:

Have you tried vegetable 'milks'? I usually drink soymilk, and recently tried oatmeal and rice-milk. You might want to check them out. There's almond milk too, but I haven't tried it.

Same with the butters. Sesame and peanut butter are my favorite. I haven't eat any in years, but margarine might be a good option too.

Eating out can be a challenge. It's not much of a problem for me anymore, since all of those who are close to me know about my choices and they are quite accomodating. But I had to tell them at the beginning, of course.

Sometimes, I offer to cook at their places (or invite them to come over my place) so as to have a vegan meal without making it troublesome for them.

Hadn't heard about 'Vegetarian Food For Thought' especifically, but I know there are many vegan and vegetarian podcasts around! Great stuff.

Anyway, let us know how everything goes, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to share them with us.

Samuel.