Vegan lifestyle articles that discuss ways of living in peace with humans, animals, and the environment.
The recent news of slaughterhouse workers having tested positive for COVID-19 and the sick and heartbreaking remarks by vegans have me wanting to say more.
I went vegan in 1988 for the animals. In fact, I was in elementary school
the first time I tried to go vegetarian – that was in the 1970s in Texas,
and it was not easy. But I loved animals and did not want to contribute to
the separation of their families and hurt them. It was simple: compassion
and empathy.
As a Chicana, I know that many of my people are the ones who pick our
produce, and that is why part of my organization’s mission is to advocate
for farm workers. Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.) makes sure we give back
by supporting boycotts called by farm workers and advocating at the
legislative and regulatory level, but we also organize a school supply drive
for the children of farm workers.
Being a vegan organization, we do not actively do work for slaughterhouse
workers. Over the years, however, we have been outspoken against the
undercover investigations performed by animal organizations when
slaughterhouse workers (who are committing hideous crimes against non-human
animals) are fired from their jobs and deported while the owners (who create
these systems) are able to continue their corrupt and inhumane practices.
For decades I have heard horrible things that vegans have said about these
workers, and I have spoken out. I am horrified and shaken to my core about
what has happened to the animals, but I also know that blaming the victim
never works.
The recent news of slaughterhouse workers having tested positive for
COVID-19 and the sick and heartbreaking remarks by vegans have me wanting to
say more.
Many of us who are vegan are so because of our compassion and empathy, yet
vilifying slaughterhouse workers is not the behavior of truly compassionate,
empathetic people.
COVID-19 is horrific, and the intense pain inflicted on those who get it is
unimaginable for many of us. Keep in mind that many slaughterhouse workers
are Black, Brown, undocumented, and immigrants, all of whose immune systems
are already vulnerable due to stress from the lack of rights in their jobs,
not making enough money, fear for their safety, living in unsafe areas, and
most likely facing food insecurity. Not one of them decided they wanted to
be a slaughterhouse worker when they grew up.
And remember, slaughterhouses have a 100% turnover rate. These people are
not staying there.
I have shed tears for Italy, for others around the globe, and for the young
and the old. I have watched the videos of people in the ICU. And the most
heartbreaking is to see people distraught because they could not be with
their loved ones when they passed away. Not able to hold their loved one’s
hand as they took their last breath.
How could anyone wish that upon another living being?
The hatred makes me shudder.
We will not post any vitriol toward me or Food Empowerment Project on our
social media for this post. We will not spread the hate.
Many times, when I do interviews or speak, I am questioned if vegans really
are racist and opposed to our work. In case anyone wants to see messages
from vegans hoping that these workers die, we will send them as evidence to
you individually, but we will not post them here.
It is time for those of us who want justice and want to lessen the suffering
of all beings to quit allowing divisions to be made. At a time like this,
the world needs more solidarity.
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