[4everaspirit]

I thought I could post this here so vegetarians and vegans could share what they think.

A little before I went vegan, after I had learned about factory farming, I related that to how society views insects and little critters. I found that they were prejudiced against like many animals are today, and many people kill them because they "can," they think they are better than them, or they see most of society doing the same.

Okay so, we are getting a rising number of stink bugs where I live. I love the dear beings <3. I know many people consider them an invasive species, but 1, we brought them here first and 2, I relate them to how The English came over to North America and basically spread and spread and wiped out most of the "native (species)/Indians".

Anyway, the main point I'm getting that is that in my school, sometimes there will be one slowly crawling around on the floor. If I see it before others do, I will get up out of my seat, take a piece of paper and scoop him up to put him the window. All of my teachers are (or at least should) be aware that I'm sensitive to all life as I have told all of them to not kill any insects in the class. ( Most of them are respectful towards my feelings, but I have a few teachers that aren't so much.) If my classmates see a stink bug before I do, usually someone yells out "Ewwwww a stink bug." and then come the comments like "Kill it!!" By this time I try and see where he is so I can get to him before they kill him, but sometimes I freeze up in my seat. I am extremely sensitive and while I have gained a lot more confidence over the years, I don't have the self confidence to the point where I can valiantly leap over desks with sheer grace to save them. (I wish I did)

Sometimes, I have the courage to get up out of my seat to save them and I will even make a comment towards the class like "Why do they have less of a right to live?" (Though they can't typically hear it because they are all yelling and and making rude comments over top of me.) But as I said, sometimes I lock up in my seat and just sit there with emotions flooding over me.

I'm lucky to be in a school where overall the student majority is surprisingly more mature than a lot of schools, but still there are tons of jerks. Often, the fear of being harassed by some of my classmates (and yes they have done it several times) for saving a stink bug will lock me up in my seat. Most of the people in my classes are polite enough to not really say anything, and some, knowing me, tell the class not to kill the stink bug. But there are still some wise a$$es that have purposefully killed them right in front of me just to get a reaction or rise out of me.

My way of handling them right now is by remaining calm and trying to politely talk to them about why I feel the way I do and if they would at least be kind enough to respect that. They often laugh at me and make some comment about how "They are just bugs." (Yes, and slaves used to be "just slaves." and animals are "just animals,"....yeah, same type of prejudice.) Being polite and kind to my tormentors has helped me in some ways, I have gotten a few to be a little more responsive and polite towards me, but that doesn't work for the hardcore jerks.

I really just don't know of any other way of handling them but I feel as if it's too easy for them to "take advantage of me" and abuse my feelings because I don't really show them that I'm done with tolerating their bullsh*t. It's not in my nature to be rather firm in my standing (though on sheer whims I have done it before). I don't know what to do really and I know that, pretty soon, I'm going to see more stink bugs around my school and it's going to be hard for me to deal with a lot of people's own insecurities that they try and hide by bashing me and my feelings.

Okay, I hope that wasn't too long, does anyone hear have any suggestions or maybe further improvements on how I should deal with these people? How about in saving the critters? Should I go for it and go all super ninja and leap over the desks with immense speed and precision? xD? Would this have a negative impact of more people purposefully trying to kill them around me just so I will make a scene in class and leap over desks? (yes lol, I have thought about it and I don't know if I would ever be able to have the confidence for that.)

Thank you <3

 

[Poppy]

Congratulations on trying to help innocent creatures. I'm assuming you are in high school...? In which case, that's a tough time and your fellow students can be quite immature about new ideas and people with different points of view. Maybe you can get to each class a few minutes early, take a quick look around the floor, and if you see a bug, get it outside before anyone else has a chance to see. As far as being sensitive to what other's do, I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to the fact that most people really don't like bugs. And yeah, maybe becoming a super ninja would be the way to go! You could even call yourself the Stink Bug Ninja.

Two years ago, I was in a fancy hotel having breakfast the morning after my son got married. I was with my parents, husband, cousins, etc. Suddenly there was a commotion at the table next to us and people were gasping and getting up quickly. Turns out there was a little blue-tailed lizard under the table. Someone wanted the staff to get a broom or a pot. Well, I did the ninja thing. I crawled under the table (in my dress) and swooped up the lizard. I actually missed him the first time I tried to catch him, but got him the second. Anyway he was taken outside. And I got applause from the whole dining room!

 

[be_it]

First, I applaud you in your efforts to save the buggies that find their way inside, I do the same with spiders, since they're everywhere! When the bullies would get up in my kool aid about taking lives in account, the first time I would shrug them off and tell them that we have a difference of opinion, and so long as I take the bug outside, we're both happy. No bug inside and the bug lived. If they push it I would tell them that I would continue saving the bugs and if there was further issue we both would be visiting the counselor to discuss their obsession with murdering things smaller than them and get to the root of their problem. And I would do just that. If they pushed it, I would approach a teacher to set up a mediated discussion with that classmate. But I've always pushed my way until I was no longer opposed.

As for the fear gluing you to your seat, let the anger hit you in your gut. The sense of protection a mama bear feels for her cub, then when you have that feeling, apply sensible human thought and you'll be terrifying! No one will mess with you!

 

[4everaspirit]

Thank you both >o<!

@ Poppy, that's so great that you saved the lizard! People freak out over the most harmless of creatures. LOL, I'll think more about becoming a super ninja and valiantly leaping over desks! Might have to practice some parkour I usually get to class early anyway and I make a quick eye check around the floor.

@be_it. I have thought about telling them straight that if they had a problem with it that it could be resolved in guidance, but lol I always felt that would be really weird to say to someone. They would probably take that up just for the LOLzz of it. Hmmm let anger hit me in my gut...does that mean I should get a little more adamant and be more commanding with my voice and my actions? I don't want to get into a physical confrontation with someone and I also know yelling matches never resolve anything and only make feed the bullies. I do feel like a mama cub to the little creatures...I mean, they are so tiny that I know I have to protect them! >.> Hmmm...apply sensible human thought to your anger. That's typically what I try to do. I try not to show that I'm angry though, but I really am and I'm also sad that nobody else but me understands that they are beings too and want to live as much as we do...I try to show the class that I'm calm and relaxed when their life is in danger, so as not to let them think that they can get me all violent and see me cause a scene.

I don't know, I'm still a little confused at to what to do. but thank you both!!!!

 

[be_it]

For me, its this look in my eyes, my set jaw and a rigidness in my voice that is controlled but still makes it obvious that I'm one word away from grabbing someone by the throat and slamming them into a wall. It's hard to explain. I guess if you were to watch a movie with a mob boss who gets mad, its the face and voice right before he pulls a gun. Makes people not want go push me. And not a single person in school wants a counselor on their kool aid, especially if you mention that torture or murder of animals is a sign towards a future serial killer, nevermind that bugs aren't on that list, the term serial killer will make people take these people's anger towards animals seriously.