Malaika
Animal products aren’t all bad.
Before the whole vegan organization comes down on me with their fury, the following people have made a very good point. While I may not be a vegan, I can admit that meat and many animal products don’t come from the best sources and actually hurt the animals and the environment. However, it is not all bad. It is true that we as humans want to be more considerate towards our environment but staying away from each and every animal product can do our Earth harm rather than good.
For example, fur and leather are necessary products, especially in ice-cold weather. Although I am not saying wearing a fox as an accessory is a good idea, sometimes you are in dire need of a warm fur coat when you are in danger of getting hypothermia. And not only that, fur and leather can last a lot longer than a clothing item made of plastic which never goes away.
Source: Tumblr
I mean this Tumblr User does have a very good point.
Aren’t vegans trying to fight against pollution and anything that harms the environment?
And for many people, it is a part of their culture.
We are all well aware of how plastic is polluting our world.
So how is it any good to use vegan alternatives?
Rather than saying all animal products are bad, we should actually do our research.
Yes, vegans do not wear clothes or accessories that are made of animal-origin materials: leather, fur, silk, wool, velvet, etc.
Since many of these materials are often more sustainable than their vegan alternatives (for example, a genuine leather jacket can easily provide warmth for more than one generation), we have to remember that vegans, just like other activists, need to choose their battles. –Vaida Baranove
And most of the people who wear fur actually need to wear it.
And if you take proper care of fur, it lasts a lot longer than the cheap synthetic stuff.
Veganism shouldn’t be all about feeling sorry for the animals and empathizing with them.
It should be about the environment as a whole and what benefits it the most.
Cotton isn’t really that warm.
It might work in this sort of weather.
But it wouldn’t work in freezing temperatures.
Unless you like to torture yourself.
If people are careful who they buy it from.
It can actually do more good than harm.
Yet, as a vegan, would I ask someone living in the Arctic to wear a teddy coat or a puffer jacket instead of their fur one? Definitely not. Why on Earth would I come after someone who‘s already struggling to survive in such harsh conditions? Their comfort is not a good enough reason to kill a sentient being. -Vaida
Shouldn’t we actually pay attention to the Earth as a whole?
Repurposing old fur for use is the way to go.
Don’t knock it until you try it after all.
I bet no one is going to wear cotton in that weather.
If we had no need for fur and leather, then this might be a moot debate but many people do have the need.
Polyester is an end-all when it comes to cheap plastic clothes.
And to top it all off, getting sheared is actually good for the sheep.
But many people like to argue with others about that.
And while it is true many farms do treat animals horribly.
People are paying more attention to this stuff, hence the times are changing.
Most of the time, they don’t feel a thing.
So at the end of the day, we just have to be more careful as to what battles we should pick.
What are your thoughts on this debate? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to share.