[The Hooded Claw]

Hi,

I share an apartment with three other people. Three are meat eaters and one is vegetarian. The vegetarian holds the lease to the apartment and issued an email to all three of us that we must immediately stop cooking meat in our kitchen. We did not agree and I asked her on five occasions to propose a compromise. She refused to compromise and issued us with a written notice to leave our apartment within 10 days (or end of the month). This is a place we live in. What are the views on the sudden rules and whether she is right to do this?

 

[Capstan]

You joined this forum just to ask this question? You must be desperate! You should definitely give up meat, not for your roomie's sake, but for your own!

 

[The Hooded Claw]

Capstan,

Yes, I did join to ask this question. And maybe you are right about not eating meat. However, the question is with regards forcing one's opinions on others to the point that three people are to be left without a home. Someone who is quoting Gandhi must surely have an opinion on the point that in the present day, to force people to eat certain foods against their wishes is questionable, regardless of the whether it is for their own good.

 

[Envy]

what a dick.

 

[JoBravo]

The Hooded Claw,

Let me just give you a piece of advice while interacting on this forum: should you want the type of answer for which you're hoping, stick to the legalities of the issue at hand. You're digging yourself into a grave, here of all places, if you're going to argue rights because the inevitable conclusion many of us will make is that one being's rights should not trump another. That is, regardless of whether she has a right to force her beliefs on you or whether you have the right to eat meat, the response you'll get for this rationale is that your rights shouldn't trump an animal's right to life.

So, were I you, I would stick to whether or not it is legal for your roommate to do this and avoid the "forcing one's opinions" track.

Secondly, were I you, I would think a better website and/or forum to refer to would be one about law.

You say she is the lease-holder, does that mean none of your are on the lease? If not, that does not mean you are not entitled to certain rights but the extent of these rights will depend upon the state and local law and I would imagine that your legal argument would be bolstered by the fact that you are also paying rent regardless of whether or not you're on the lease. For example, in many states, being a lease-holder does not entitle one to evict the other rent-paying roommates, this is usually reserved only for the landlord.

But I should think you should find some kind of community resource that can provide free legal counseling (many large cities have this) or contact your local government representative to help point you towards the appropriate resources. I'm not a lawyer and am not even really well-versed on law but have had several complications with a crazy-ass landlord so the above only reflects my experience.

 

[Capstan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

Capstan,

Yes, I did join to ask this question. And maybe you are right about not eating meat. However, the question is with regards forcing one's opinions on others to the point that three people are to be left without a home. Someone who is quoting Gandhi must surely have an opinion on the point that in the present day, to force people to eat certain foods against their wishes is questionable, regardless of the whether it is for their own good.

I think Gandhi would give you the same advice I did. You should follow it. No one's forcing you to stay there. Why don't you try something new and maybe learn something, instead of trying to fob your perceived problems off on others?

 

[Poppy]

I am closing this thread because the op is not a vegetarian and cannot be a member here. However, if anyone wants to start another thread with this topic, feel free as it might be interesting to discuss.