Jun 23rd, 2009
An even worse American
by Miles Benson
In November, I made a lot of people angry.
And I didn’t care.
I felt what I was doing was entirely justified.
I thought about what was making people mad at me, for like 5 months, and I tried really hard to accept their feelings and truly understand their passion on the subject. And I still didn’t get it, not until a few weeks ago, when it just popped! Their passion towards the subject in the link above is equal to my feelings and passion to the food industry.
Because, when you buy food from anywhere, you’re voting. And your vote most certainly does count.
Allow me to explain…
The food industry doesn’t want you to know the truth behind what you’re eating. Because if you knew, you might not want to eat it.
The progression of agriculture is to build it: faster, fatter, bigger, cheaper. If you can grow chicken in 49 days, why would you want one you have to grow in 3 months?
America’s food industry is making a killing and it’s making us sick.
Our nation’s food supply is controlled by corporations that put profit ahead of health, the livelihood of farmers, the safety of workers and our own environment.
We may have bigger tastier chickens, more succulent pork chops, insecticide-resistant seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new versions of E. coli—the bacteria that causes illness for nearly 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity and an epidemic level of diabetes. The government is even passing laws to make it illegal to publish any photos of any industrial food operation. AND The FDA wants to be able to sell meat from animals without having to label where is comes from.
But we have the power, yet consumers don’t feel powerful; but even though they feel that way, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Every time you purchase something, whether it be in a restaurant, super market, grocery stand, cafe, convenient store, fast food restaurant, liquor store…you’re voting. You’re voting for what that store or restaurant is going to sell. Local or not, organic or not, corn based or not, insecticide-resistant or not, ethically treated animals or not, hormones imbued or not…
Some/many of you have called me a hypocrite, a freegan, uninformed, and curiously enough…an idiot.
Almost the entire world has stood against the tobacco industry and it’s irresponsible behavior, why do we not feel the same for something we all put into our bodies and stuff we actually need? Additionally, many voted for the first time ever in their lives last November; standing up and hoping for “change.” Inspiring countless others to do the same, including myself.
However, many of you disagreed, possibly even disliked me for the decision I made on that November evening; and even more of you were angrier at me when I wrote the truth behind the decision.
Well, I’m writing to tell you. I get it now. I understand why you’re angry. I understand the name-calling. I understand the reason for the heat that often fueled discussions and arguments. I understand the passion.
Because that’s where I am right now. Angry, passionate, heated, and ready to call you names or accuse you of being idiots and make jokes about something you’re passionate about.
Because just like I, among others, didn’t pay respect to your passion for the election, you do not pay respect to people’s passion the food industry, the ethical treatment of animals, the truth behind your food, and never questioning what you eat.
I understand now. I do understand that my vote matters. I don’t care what you vote for, (Local or not, organic or not, corn based or not, insecticide-resistant or not, ethically treated animals or not, hormones imbued or not, etc etc), just vote wisely.
(I do actually care greatly what you vote for, but, that matters very little in the grand scheme of things).
For the love of god, please buy smarter, don’t just eat something or buy something somewhere because it’s convenient or cheap, be choosy about what you eat and where you get your food from because it’s the smart thing to do. The health problems you experience as well as the weight you gain and other physical and mental problems (such as depression, headaches, lethargy, muscle aches, sex-drive, etc.) you experience are directly related to what you put into your bodies.
Vote or die, (literally).
Sources/additional information:
July 31st, 2009 at 9:29 pm:
Now you understand why people were angry about your vote. Perhaps now you can also better understand the other side of your passion; why and how a person would cast regrettable “votes” for the food industry.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am:
Hmm, I feel stupid. I’m not sure what you mean. Explain. Please?
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 am:
Has this experience helped you see the point of view of those who are making poor choices in food, much like you made a poor choice during the election? Can you now also understand why someone would not understand why you become so passionate about healthy food choices, meat consumption, etc.?
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am:
Ah. Yes. I said it did:
“Well, I’m writing to tell you. I get it now. I understand why you’re angry. I understand the name-calling. I understand the reason for the heat that often fueled discussions and arguments. I understand the passion.
Because that’s where I am right now. Angry, passionate, heated, and ready to call you names or accuse you of being idiots and make jokes about something you’re passionate about.”
I understand now. I do understand that my vote matters. I don’t care what you vote for, (Local or not, organic or not, corn based or not, insecticide-resistant or not, ethically treated animals or not, hormones imbued or not, etc etc), just vote wisely.
(I do actually care greatly what you vote for, but, that matters very little in the grand scheme of things).”