During the second semester of my sophomore year, I became increasingly interested in the area of the Women’s and Gender Studies program here at UNH. I decided to take a class regarding Food Justice and Environmental Justice because it filled a requirement for the WGS minor, but it ended up changing my entire life.
The class started with the discussion of environmental issues seen in the world today. We talked about climate change and global warming; two daunting subjects that have been brought to light with recent events. In the class, we discussed personal steps to become more conscientious of ourselves in the world. The second half of the semester was dedicated to food injustice… and for someone who signed up for the class on a whim, I had no idea what food injustice entailed.
Through the food injustice unit, I learned many things, specifically on the injustice animals face on a day-to-day basis to keep us, humans, alive. The heart-breaking unit prompted me to refrain from eating meat. Over the summer I went vegetarian, which was not hard for me to do, only rather than looking at it as a challenge, it was something I became dedicated to. I have always found myself to be an advocate for injustice, and this seemed like something that I had to do as an animal lover. After a few months of being vegetarian, I knew I had to do more. Yes, I did not consume meat, but the dairy industry was just as troublesome for animals, and I decided to give up all animal products seemingly overnight.
Truthfully, it was not as hard as you’d think!
But sometimes I do struggle, and that’s the truth.
I often get questions like, “So, what do you even eat?”
To answer that question simply, I eat the same meals that I ate before going vegan… only I use meat and dairy alternatives now! I have found myself to be increasingly more aware of the food industry and how products are made, but more importantly, I have gained a new form of self-respect. I chose to change something that was interfering with my happiness, and not once have I regretted doing so! I strongly encourage each of my readers to consider looking into environmental and food injustices! Making small changes can be the start of something greater!
*Important Note*
There are various ways to change the food industry if going vegan is not for you! There are many practices of ethical food production that do not involve cutting out animal products. Ethical eating is also a great step into making a change in your life and in the world!