Vegan Vitriol

Over the years I have received a number of positive comments on this, my favourite t-shirt.  The Starbucks employee in Oregon who quips after I’ve paid for my coffee “I like yer shirt”.  And others who just called out on the street that they like it.

But yesterday, a middle-aged soccer mom in a minivan pulled over at a corner while I was walking the dog – actually blocking traffic because she felt so strongly she needed to address me – to say out the car window

“That shirt is [indistinguishable audio]”.

Assuming it was yet another compliment, I smiled and said “Yeah, who doesn’t like bacon”.

She got more animated and said “No! That is offensive!”

Bewildered at first I thought she was referring to overweight people who might be tempted by my shirt to eat too much bacon.

But then she cleared things up by staring at me while shouting “Do you know how pigs are actually treated! You should be ashamed of yourself!”

I continued on my way and said something stupid like “I like pigs too, but bacon is good.”

I thought afterward “Would it be better if it was organic…?”

Then I couldn’t help recalling the scene in the movie Notting Hill when a Vegan Hugh Grant is dating took offense and explained at brunch that “Yes! Those carrots have been MURDERED!”

I never thought I would attract Vegan vitriol in that way.  I am sympathetic to the movement for the better treatment of animals, but still with a plan to eat them at some point…

This experience has left me wondering if I can be an advocate of better animal husbandry while still enjoying bacon (it really is delicious).

I think the answer may be to ensure you choose organic meats if you still love that form of protein.  It is my understanding that Organic means far more than just the elimination of hormones and pesticides. Organic farmers must also treat their animals humanely as they are reared.

Is that enough? Or is it truly a requirement to move to a 100% plant-based diet. Ultimately humanity will have to, especially if we plan to live and travel off this planet.