This is a cursory post but I wanted to stop in. I didn’t eat a single veggie today, but I also just didn’t eat much in general.
While studying on campus I drank a frozen coffee with coconut.
After my test I went with Adam to Jamba Juice for a Pink Star smoothie.
Before class I grabbed an everything bagel with cream cheese.
And on the way home I ate a bag of chips. [I realize my food choices today won’t be winning any awards]
And that was it.
Dinner didn’t happen. In spite of the warnings from fellow bloggers about it’s graphic nature I decided to watch the trailer for Earthlings WARNING Clip plays immediately. I think the movie is a great idea and I’m glad that a lot of cities have been having showings recently. But for me it was not a good idea.
I know how animals are treated in factory farms. I wouldn’t eat mammals regardless, but I recognize that if I can’t see the process for fish and fowl then I shouldn’t be eating them. I do, however, disagree with conventional meat (fish/fowl) production which is why Adam and I are going to make more of an effort to purchase ethically.
But I do not believe in the fur industry. I have never believed in the fur industry, I’ve always been staunchly against it. I’ve said for months that Kanye West is a monster. I do not need to learn more about the fur industry, there is nothing that could convince me to be more against it than I already am. So seeing clips of animals within the fur industry was not a learning experience for me.
I cried for 20minutes. I’ve described the exact process I watched, in detail, but actually seeing it was heart-wrenching for me. Of course I was bothered by the clips of the farm animals and seals, but when the video reached the part with the fox I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Watching that clip was genuinely the worst I’ve ever felt. Adam sat on the couch and rubbed my back and he told me later that he’s never seen me react to something like that before (and we’ve been through some pretty hard experiences).
Sometimes the fact that human beings are so awful just makes me feel hopeless. Like there’s nothing I can do that will be good enough to counteract all the bad out there. On some level I really do believe in a balance of positive and negative energy, so modern humans scare me. How can we put so much hate into the world?
Have you seen, or are you going to see Earthlings? Have you seen the trailer?
Eating Chalk 
Oh God Emily, I shouldn’t have watched that. I have to go to bed now and I feel sick. I want to know why we can’t kill animals humanely. I know that sounds weird, but seriously. I can’t see myself ever being a complete vegetarian, but I know there has to be a painless way to kill a pig so we can eat it. I cannot believe that companies are so concerned with profit that they keep animals like that and kill them like that. I guess I have been naive all my life. I cannot even imagine watching that entire movie. I cannot imagine the people who do those jobs. This is horrible.
dude the fox is what got me to. i seriously thought i was going to vomit, and then i had nightmares. i dont think i can watch the whole movie, ever!
Em – I think you really hit the nail on the head.
I think it’s the overarching theme that human beings are just effing TERRIBLE that makes parts of that movie clip so horrifying. I understand that there’s a ‘circle of life’ and that we originated as meat eating creatures for a reason – but why do people have to go about it this way?!?!?! What happened to compassion? (i also thought the same thing while watching the Today show yesterday, as they were talking about 2 different teenagers, 1 being set on fire, 1 being brutally beat, coming out of the same high school. And I could think of is “god this world is so terrible” (with a lot more expletives). It makes me sick, and really afraid of where we will be in 10 years. I’m so sorry you had such a strong reaction – but if it helps you AT ALL, I think you and I are alot alike. ((hugs))
I started to watch it this past Sunday and couldn’t get through it. After losing my dog this past October, it took me several tries to get through the Pets portion. And then the meat processing really had a serious effect on me. I didn’t even make it past the beef/pork portion. Haven’t touched meat since then, and I’ve gone to a local farm to purchase my milk and eggs. I’m seeking a sustainable and humane source for my poultry.
That’s great that you were influenced to make some better choices. And I’m so sorry about your dog!
I have to agree. That is really all I needed to say. Not to defend the fur industry, but I think they probably picked the most inflammatory and horrifying things to show in the trailer. Not knowing much more, I would imagine that it is the exception to the rule.
agree or disagree? I am sure that they do pick the ‘worst’ clips to show. However, if that sort of act happens even once I beleive there is a serious problem. And sadly, I’m sure it happens more than once, as I’ve read in a variety of sources (not just PETA, ugh) that the foxes are routinely skinned while still alive.
Oh god. I shut it off 1/8 through. There is no way I will go see that. That is horrifying!
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