Jonathan Safran Foer, p 143, from Eating Animals
I don't often talk about my own vegetarianism. Most people, if they ask about it, don't really want to know. In fact, I am not even a true vegetarian - but it is easier to say so than to try and explain, as most people's eyes glaze over as I get into details. Most people really just want to tell me about how little meat they really eat, and how they are cutting back. I am interested to hear this, of course, I believe that every little step towards that goal is helpful, but usually it is more of an apology than anything.
I am reading Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer. I have read his fiction, enjoyed it. When I heard he had written a book on the meat industry, and factory farming, I immediately got on the waiting list at the library. I have read books about vegetarianism, and factory farming, and this one is up there with the best I have read. At times I wonder about his statistics and numbers (as a scientist I have taken statistics courses, and know how to manipulate numbers to fit my cause), but even so, his information is eye opening and heartbreaking.
Most people when I tell them I am vegetarian want to hear that I do it for health reasons, or because I am an "animal lover". Well, yes to both, vegetarianism is a very healthy way to eat, but most of my friends know that I can have an atrocious diet at times. Lets just say that some "foods" - I use that term loosely - when they come into my house, are eaten. It's best to just never buy them ;-p And I certainly love all animals - no doubt. I have always, since I have been aware of it, treated all living beings with compassion. I don't say equally, because that isn't always possible. I do what I can. I love all animals, and have some as pets, and think they have decent lives. As best as I can give them under the circumstances (can you say, coyote?).
A main reason that I don't eat meat, is the way most meat in our society is raised. I sometimes say, that I don't have an issue with people who need (or needed) to hunt to survive. Also, the way animals are raised on a family farm, raising what your family, and perhaps a few others, need to eat, is reasonable. Our society no longer operates that way, and this is the focus of this book.
Foer uses a moving story of his grandmother's survival in World War II by eating garbage and her subsequent behavior, woven through the book. Also included is information about his son, whose birth projected Foer into vegetarianism, and the writing of this book. The book goes into detail about factory farms, and how the majority of of meat is produced. It's not a pretty picture, friends. I have no reason not to believe what Foer writes, although much of it is unbelievable. Discussed are most of our major commodities - chicken, turkey, pig, lamb, cow. I picked quite a time to be reading this - right before and after Thanksgiving.
A few points of light in the book - some smaller farms, operated with compassion and understanding of that particular animal's lifestyle. Also discussed are locally owned, smaller, more humane slaughterhouses. Both of these are few and far between, and logically, the final product costs more to bring to our tables. Most are not willing to pay this price, and instead will wear blinders to issues relating to these animals' lives and deaths.
Back to my story - most who know me know I am an ovo-lacto-pesco-vegetarian. In short, it means I eat eggs, dairy, and fish, in addition to plant products. This book has forced me to think again about fish. (I've always been pestered about it by my SIL.) I think I am a social fish eater. Restaurants, with a few notable exceptions, aren't known for their excellent vegetarian food. Most will offer up salads, veggie burgers, and maybe if you're lucky a mushroom burger or tofu dish. Pastas and pizzas are usually offered with cheese and veggies. But many restaurants have fish as a meal. And I have used this as a place to eat a full meal (rather than a meal of sides), and as a way to socially eat protein without comment. Most people don't even blink if you order fish. But say, order tofu, and you become "the vegetarian at the table". Fish also became the protein of choice for me when pregnant and nursing (I know, I know, fish is not the best choice for a growing fetus!!! ) because I was not willing to take up eating land animals even for my babies. Small steps towards a goal - that is where I am right now.
Other issues in MY mind: That Americans (developed societies in general?) eat way more protein that we were intended or need to; that adult humans drink the milk of other species is too weird (you see my dilemma here - I LOVE cheese); that my main protein source right now is eggs, produced by chickens (I am working on that one, as you all know ;-).
The major point of Foer's book is the disconnect of how meat is currently produced - via factory farms - vs the way animals were meant to live. Side points include - how the industry has affected the environment, our health, and our ethics. A final section on personal responsibility is difficult to read as well.
If you care to know about how your food is produced, read this book. Be ready to think.
If you don't want to know, don't read.
Actions speak louder than words.
