To the Editor:
If you’re like most people, you agree that animal cruelty is wrong. However, few people understand how profoundly animals suffer in our modern food system.
A few years ago, I decided to research how the animals we eat are treated. What I found deeply disturbed me — animals are regarded simply as machines for our use, rather than as individuals deserving respect. In every form of animal agriculture, I found the same pattern: if a human stands to gain something financially from an animal, it comes at the expense of the animal’s basic well being. I wasn’t an animal lover, but I knew what I saw was wrong and that I didn’t want to support it. I began to change my diet.
Over the period of two months, I shifted away from animal-based foods and toward a completely plant based diet. Going vegan was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and an aspect of my life I take pride in.
I later learned that by bringing my diet more in line with my ethics, my health also benefited. A growing number of studies have linked the consumption of animal based foods to our nation’s most deadly diseases. The power of a low-fat vegan diet has also been shown to prevent and treat these diseases.
While the science is exciting, what is more meaningful to me is the increased vitality I now experience in my everyday life. Aside from feeling better physically, I’m proud to live a more nonviolent life, a life more consistent with my values. It feels good to consciously make choices based on my ethics rather than just going along with dominant culture. Every time I sit down to a meal, I cast my lot with those who cannot stand up for themselves and against those who profit from suffering, something I’ve found incredibly empowering.
As college students, we have more control over our lives than ever before. This freedom allows us to make decisions based on our values, including the choices we make about food. So, I encourage you to educate yourself on how animals raised for food are treated. The online short film “Farm to Fridge” is a good place to start. If what you learn troubles you, I encourage you to join the growing number of people reducing or eliminating animal-based foods from their diets. After all, a fresh school year is an excellent time to try something new. Even a small change — like giving up meat one day a week or abstaining from seafood or poultry can have a huge impact over time.
For tips on making a change, I recommend chooseveg.com and livingvegan.org. Another excellent resource is the BU Veg Society, an active, diverse community of students who enjoy respectful discussion and action on animal issues. I would also like to make myself available as a resource (gb@bu.edu). You have the power to educate yourself and the freedom to change what you eat. Your choice is meaningful.
Sincerely,
Graham Boswell
CFA Junior
gb@bu.edu