Are You Going to Stay or Leave?
This past week in my English class we read a short story called, "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin. It is a story about how in this place if you want to be able to achieve happiness there must be one kid suffering. If you can not handle it you must leave Omelas and walk away.
For me when I think of this story I face the same ethical choice when I think about animal cruelty. Animals are constantly being tested for makeup products and are being mistreated every day. The question is will people walk away and stop wearing makeup that is tested on animals or will they stay and not want to confront the truth. I have been a vegetarian now since I was in the fourth grade. For me, I can not stand the thought of killing an animal for food, when like me you can substitute meat for a different food and still get the same protein. I am always trying to find makeup companies that do not test their product on animals, but sometimes it is hard. I walked away from eating meat when I was very young and am still doing it to this day. It is hard when to decide to stay and when to walk away, and for me it is determining when enough is enough.
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ReplyDeleteGreat post Bren, as a vegetarian myself I can relate to you. Many people know about animal cruelty and they even watch videos and see how horrible they are treated, yet people do not choose to "walk away" because it would require them to give up something that they really enjoy. It must have taken to a lot of courage for you to make that decision when you were only in fourth grade.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!!
I really liked your post Bren! I also care about these poor animals, but I have not been able to find the strength to "walk away" from purchasing and eating meat. This post made me reconsider giving meat up, like you did when you so young. I also liked how you described the point at which you feel you must "walk away". Really nice job!
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