[Wayne_D]

-- I do apologize in advance if this is in the incorrect forum or a redundant topic. But I really do want to express myself to those who understand where I am coming from.

A lot of the time I really do not know how to cope knowing that animals are being reared for slaughter. I have seen some very disturbing insight into what goes on in these infernal pits called slaughterhouses/factories. It leaves me brimming with so many negative emotions (naturally). I'm angry and frustrated that I can do nothing to put an end to this period, and tears swell in my eyes as I see the innocent face of a calf staring back at the camera, not long for this world. I want to scream, just release this anguish and hope everything will be better, but I'm not that naive. And I am not trying to come across as melodramatic, this is genuinely how I feel, as I'm sure many of you do too.

I can admit that I'm very much a misanthrope now, as I've never been able to understand the atrocities of mankind. And it's hard to discuss these feelings with people around me, because my immediate family & friends are omnivores and can't really empathize. Therefore I'm very glad to have the internet as an outlet to fellow vegetarians.

So please tell me how you cope with this helplessness and tragedy. I'm sure you can understand where I am coming from, and at least can we take some solace in sharing these dreadful emotions.

Thank you for your time.

 

[GanyGreenBean]

I do what I can to as an individual. I cannot control the world, but I can control myself and be an inspiration to others. There will always be suffering on earth, but we can help ease some of it one person at a time. Take a deep breathe and do your best.

Maybe greater things will come your way? I have people eating vegetarian food in some of my classes. I make the food vegan. I refuse to make it any other way. They can try it. People enjoyed the shiska bobs today, they were "less greasy" than the beef ones.

 

[Diana]

There are some things that are virtually impossible for the human soul to understand. Like the Holocaust against the Jews and ethnic minorities during WWII; like kids being eaten by the vultures in Darfour after starving to death; like the slaughterhouses where the animals are exploited and die as in an Eternal Treblinka.

Sometimes it's best just to say "I do not understand".

We are all part of the human race. Hating one's own race is not going to make it better.

Stand up and be counted. Do what you can to haste animal and human liberation. And don't give up the fight. If we give up the fight, who will speak for those who cannot speak (the non-human animals)?

 

[IndieMcFly]

Hi Wayne,

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the horrors of animal slaughter too. It's horrifying to think of the suffering that animals raised for slaughter go through. I get past it by reminding myself that we literally create the world we live in through our actions and choices. I renew my commitment by inviting friends and family for a tasty vegetarian dinner and taking comfort in knowing that at least for that meal, no one ate an animal.

Just by being vegetarian, you will raise awareness in the people you encounter and because of that, you will literally change the world, one small step at a time. Do what you can.

 

[IndieMcFly]

Hi Wayne,

Sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the horrors of animal slaughter too. It's horrifying to think of the suffering that animals raised for slaughter go through. I get past it by reminding myself that we literally create the world we live in through our actions and choices. I renew my commitment by inviting friends and family for a tasty vegetarian dinner and taking comfort in knowing that at least for that meal, no one ate an animal.

Just by being vegetarian, you will raise awareness in the people you encounter and because of that, you will literally change the world, one small step at a time. Do what you can.

 

[meatless]

I understand.

 

[Eclipse]

Don't know, but I like chatting with other veg*ns too.

 

[DoveInGrey]

I just posted the below paragraph in my livejournal.... so I totally understand and ((hugs)) to you. And thank goodness for the internet!

VEG*N BLUES as the forums call it...that feeling of being the only person who gives a sh!t and finding it depressing as you skim the headlines of PETA animal times then go to work and everyone in the canteen is eating carcasses like it's a normal thing to do... oh wait, it is, I'm the weirdo here for not doing it! I'm the only vegetarian let alone vegan I actually know (in real life not online)unless I count James. And the only other one I knew was his sis who's started eating fish again (credit where it's due- she doesn't call herself a vegetarian anymore unlike many other pesky pescatarians who cause mucho confusion!) I know, I know, people aren't automatically bad people for eating meat and I love many who do/used to till recently (ie James)and still will even if they start again although obviously I find it disappointing on behalf ofg the animals every time there's one less of us and one more of them ! I've not eaten meat all my adult life... I've never been brainwashed by the conditioning and social acceptability of it so I find other people's acceptance quite baffling. I can't help feeling this way although I do try my damnedest not to express how I feel much on the meat issue so as not to upset people or be this extremist judgemental person...although I do find myself being judgemental and I can't bloody help how I feel at times... I'm being a judgemental bearer of bad news whose very presence often forces people to question themselves and get defensive although all I'm really trying to do is cause as little harm to others as I can in life and hope other people feel like I feel...

 

[DoveInGrey]

Can I also say that the recent spate of posts from ppl here announcing they've started eating meat again (WHYTF post that on a vegan forum??!?!? )has got me down as well.

 

[jojob1969]

Many people feel the same way you do. I grew up on a small family owned dairy farm. When I think of all the horrible things I saw (and was unwillingly a part of) when I was growing up, I become physically ill.

Try not to focus on the things that are beyond your control. Concentrate on the things that you can do. Whenever the subject of food comes up, I mention that I don't eat meat. This often leads to questions about why I went veg or what kind of food I eat. I use this as a chance to educate those around me.

You may feel that you can not change the world by yourself, but you are not alone. You are part of an ever increasing community. Every bite of food you eat makes a difference to the animal whose life was spared. Together we are making a difference. When I was a child I never saw "fake meat" or soy milk in a regular grocery store. Today I can easily find them in almost every grocery store I walk into. Our numbers are growing and people are starting to notice.

Remember the adage, "Every snowflake in a blizzard pleads innocent." You may feel like a snowflake. A single snowflake can not do much. Together, however, we are a blizzard. There is a storm brewing, and it will change the world.

 

[PurpleCow]

I know how you feel, and it makes it worse having no one understand your feelings (outside of the internet). And then of course you get the people who seem to make it their life mission to make comments like this --->"why would anyone want to go vegan? I mean its bad enough being a vegetarian but being vegan? Thats just plain stupid. All vegans are are freaks who want to save the rainforest. People have been factory farming animals for years and they can't stop it so they should get over it." (this is actually what one of my friends said today)

 

[Raspberry06]

Welcome to veggie boards!

 

[sefork]

I have been feeling helpless lately too. I didn't realize there was a word that described exactly what I was feeling until recently: weltschmerz.

It can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when you don't have a strong community. I found some consolation in a quote by Helen Keller:

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do.

hang in there!

 

[shaved_women]

Wayne, I feel the same way. It's terrible what people do to animals for the sake of their tastebuds. Especially nowadays with so many veggie versions of nearly every animal dish.

What I do is I try to set a good example. I don't preach because I find that doesn't work with most people. If people ask me about vegetarianism, I'll enthusiastically tell them all I know about the benefits (there are no negatives in my opinion)

I try not to watch the PETA videos anymore. They were good at getting me to go veg. Before watching them I had no idea of the conditions of animals raised for slaughter (I thought that the animals lived a natural life and then were made to meat after they die, naive, right?) nor of their intelligence and similarity to (benevolent) humans.

In short, I don't really know what to say.....

 

[Diana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoveInGrey

Can I also say that the recent spate of posts from ppl here announcing they've started eating meat again (WHYTF post that on a vegan forum??!?!? )has got me down as well.

I didn't see those. I suppose they will be banned?

Who are these people and where are these posts? I have no respect for that kind of person and I fart in their general direction.

 

[DoveInGrey]

Diana- Usernames VegWithEdge(has now left) and Aussyj (although to be fair the latter was only thinking about pescatarianism and went from vegan to OL) to name a few. Pages 2 or 3 on this board.

I was having a case of the vegan blues, came here to be cheered up and it upset me further.... I'm not sure if it's a rule*goes to read rules* but I don't think posting "I've started eating meat again and don't want to be vegetarian anymore" type things is appropriate.

 

[eggplant]

I know exactly how you feel. Things that help me cope are VB and going to gatherings of local veggie folk in my area.

 

[micro202]

I think you really have to put things in perspective or risk becoming completely overwhelmed. You can only do what is in your own power to change. Anything aside from that is out of your control and has to be accepted as just the way it is for the present. If not, I think it can easily lead to the path of nihilism where the problem seems so big and unsolvable that you just say f- it, it's not worth it and give up.

I don't consider myself a religous person at all, but I respect a lot of buddhist ideals. Many buddhist teachings deal with this exact subject; maintaining a sense of contentment while there is so much suffering going on in the world. The Dalai Lama has several books written for a secular audience that cover these kind of topics. "The Art of Happiness" is one off of the top of my head.

 

[gazdan]

All my friends think I'm weird for being a vegetarian. They constantly insult vegans and tell me not to ever become one because they are weird extremists. Yes, it is extreme, but why the hell is that a bad thing? I look up to vegans and one day, when I am ready, I know I will be one.

 

[Wayne_D]

Thanks a lot to everyone who has contributed. It's very heartening to know that there are people who can empathize with me. Of course I already knew this, but I wanted to experience it first-hand.

So thank you.