Available April 24, 2012
BY RUBY ROTH
“Propaganda.” “Brainwashing.” “Child abuse!”
I’d never have guessed my children’s book would provoke such claims. That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals, though well received, also caused some controversy, garnering attacks from the likes of animal agriculture trade magazines and even Farm Bureau CEOs. Though veganism is swiftly gaining momentum, it still provokes knee-jerk reactions—for me, each case of opposition a study of the invisible forces that shape our thinking about food, health, and animals. My upcoming children’s book, Vegan Is Love, was recently reviewed by Nicole German, a registered dietician on Diet Blog whose occupation and critique perfectly exemplify the real reasons why “experts” often dis’ veganism: fear, ignorance, and industry collusion.
FEAR
“The main problem I have with this book,” German writes, “is that children are impressionable, and this is too sensitive of a topic to have a child read this book.”
We tend to shelter children from the “adult” world because we fear shattering the fragility we imagine they inherently possess. We follow this concept of childhood because we inherited it from the Victorian age—not because it is universally accepted. Throughout history and the world, various cultures consider their children to have capabilities beyond what we acknowledge here in the West. In some cultures kids are contributing members of the community by the time they’re four—watching siblings, pounding grain, helping collect firewood. Kids are more competent and sturdy than we think. Surprised parents have repeatedly told me that their child reacted with curiosity—not fear—when they learned about factory farming in my books. During readings, I’ve never once seen a child overwhelmed—only adults. Kids learn when we teach them.
I do, though, agree that kids are impressionable, which is exactly why they need information at an early age that will help them make educated choices. In my experience, when kids understand options, they choose wisely.
With constant media and technological stimulation, kids are being “impressed” upon by biased messaging up to hundreds of times a day—by whom? Follow the money. Seventy-five percent of government subsidies go to meat and dairy while less than half a percent goes to fruits and vegetables. The Milk Mustache campaign, driven by the National Milk Processor Board (administered by the USDA) spent $190 million in 1998. Colluding industry-led campaigns like these cause massive increases in demand, in this case, billions of pounds of fluid milk. These profit-seeking systems are the ones we should be concerned about influencing our kids—not a picture book about choices. If we don’t intercept the all-pervasive, concerted efforts between Big Ag, Big Pharma, and federal nutrition programs, today’s youth will inevitably join in the animal cruelty and the dysfunctional cycle of disease and medication we are experiencing in this country at an all-time high. The most important message to teach kids is that we don’t have to fear anything we have the power to change.
IGNORANCE
“[This book] could easily scare a young child into eating vegan, and without proper guidance that child could become malnourished.” writes German.
Typical of doctors and nutritionists educated through conventional programs, German’s paternalistic, cautionary advice is based on remedial knowledge of veganism. Yes, everyone needs protein (some more, some less). But this warning perpetuates the most common myth about veganism—that it leads to deficiencies. Even without science, this is an issue long disqualified by the nations of people who have thrived on plant-based diets throughout history—the Essenes, many Buddhists, Hindus, Rastafari, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jainists among others. With all the supporting evidence—from scientific research to factory farm exposés—we should really be warning people that going from a plant-based diet to an omnivorous one is the path that more likely to lead to disease—and positively, to violent consent. Studies continue to show the link between animal products and chronic disease (which, on a side note, one might interpret as the physical or even spiritual manifestation of consuming ill, abused, and terrified animals).
The highest quality proteins—the most absorbable and least toxin-accumulative—come from plant-sources like spirulina and chlorella, for example, which contain approximately 60-70 percent protein with 40 percent absorbability. The protein in red meat, fish, and chicken is less than 20 percent absorbable, especially because amino acids like tryptophan are heat sensitive, destroyed during cooking. It takes a lot of animal flesh to supply sufficient amounts of protein, meanwhile, we’re building a toxic load not worth its weight in nutrients. When 80+ percent of cows on American farms have bovine leukemia, isn’t it in our best interest to regularly eat almonds for calcium instead of pus-filled milk? There may be nutrients in milk from a cow untainted by environmental toxins, but that’s not what’s for sale—anywhere. It doesn’t exist.
German also writes, “The worldly problems presented in this book …are meant for the government, businesses, and large groups of adults to conquer.” The problems presented in my book are caused by government, big business, and large groups of consenting adults. They will not be the ones to fix them. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
In U.S. history, social and legislative change has always been achieved from the bottom of the ladder up, not the top down. Most of the rights we experience as part of daily existence—from the 40-hour work week to equal opportunity housing—are due to the activism of regular citizens, specifically the working class, people of color, and women, who led until government and big business were forced to follow.
We can’t afford to wait for the next generation to grow up before teaching them to live consciously. Sugarcoating or avoiding truths only hinders what children are actually capable of, psychologically, spiritually, and physically. And hindering their capabilities delays the potential we have to green our society, improve our health, and do best for all living things.
Unless one works behind the scenes or actively seeks out the truth, it is unlikely one would know the degree of collusion between government and big pharma, agriculture, and food corporations in getting us to abide by their guidelines and consume the products. When the level of their organization and calculation becomes clear, the reality is dizzying.The revolving door between “watchdog” institutions like the FDA, the USDA, the Department of Health and Monsanto, large processed food corporations, and pharmaceuticals ensures the alignment of public services and education with industry interests.The very Dietetics program at the University of Georgia where German received her degree is accredited by the American Dietetic Association, which regularly receives sponsorship from corporate giants like Monsanto, the National Dairy Council, Aramark, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo. [1, 2, 3]From elementary school to graduate programs, everything from school events and lectures to vending machines and curriculums are known to be organized for potential gain by colluding industries. Medical students are routinely influenced and educated by pharmaceutical-sponsored events and learn to deal with disease by prescribing medication, not advising changes in diet. What they prescribe will often depend simply on whichever brand got a hold on their school first.
In Western medicine, there is little connection between food and health—and these corporate alliances aim to keep it that way. In 2002, Pharmacia merged with Monsanto to become one of the top-tier companies in both agriculture and pharmaceuticals. They want us to think we can eat whatever we want without consequence. When we become ill, we go to doctors who prescribe their medications. It’s win-win.
So, veganism, relatively new to the mainstream, is bound to remain extra-curricular. Neither moral nor ethical imperatives, nor environmental toxins, may ever be addressed as part of nutritional science, nor taken into consideration in the nutritional profiles of different foods. Neither will the cognitive and emotional lives of animals.
And so, conventional nutrition degree programs produce advisors like German, who suggest that you can’t get full unless you include animal protein in a meal. Her idea of a healthy choice salad dressing contains 30+ processed ingredients including 6+ kinds of milk products fortified with vitamin A (protocol for replacing nutrients lost in processing). But look, no added sugar! It’s healthy. Calorie-counting, trans-fats, and Trader Joe’s-informed “health” (TJ’s private label foods come from companies like PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Danone, and Tasty Bite, by the way), are all fine distractions from understanding true health and the consequences of animal agriculture.
I am not attacking German personally, but the system that produces views like hers. Like most, she trusted that system. But at this point, “experts” like German should either find new occupations or take their knowledge up about 600 notches, because what they’re really doing is harm—in German’s case, the extent of which is masked by her inclusion of small bits on truly healthful, cruelty-free foods.
It may seem maniacal to have built a grand case against such a small critique, but this is truly what comes to my mind when I know that on flipside of a pebble hides a mountain. It is the underbelly of things I’ve always been interested in. It’s why I write children’s books. I want the next generation to be exposed to alternative thinking, educational experiences that will allow them to compete with “expert” opinions about health, animals, and the environment as they grow into adulthood. I believe in the capabilities of children. They need but little guidance in learning to love deeply, think critically, and act responsibly. No corporation or industry can interrupt this kind of education.
See http://www.WeDontEatAnimals.com for more info.
April 5, 2012 at 9:04 am |
Thank you for writing your book and for discussing the criticism. I think there needs to be more works like yours so that other messages, messages of health for self and others are reaching children. Good Luck.
April 5, 2012 at 9:34 am |
Ruby, You’re awesome. I love your books and what you are doing. It’s amazing how some adults argue that the reality of the meat and dairy industries are too harsh to expose kids to, and yet they accept these realities as acceptable. The reason they’re too harsh to kids is because they are evil and destructive to animals, environment and human consumers. The brainwashing really is complete when these people can’t make that connection. I completely agree that government and big business just grease each others personal pockets at the expense of the masses. This is not a conspiracy theory but an obvious truth. And, lets compare protein deficient vegans with meat eaters who have heart disease,cancer and diabetes, to see which diet deserves the concern of the real medical profession.
April 5, 2012 at 7:46 pm |
Fortunately, the library I work in has no hesitancy about ordering books like this for the kids section, nor do we consider removing books if someone complains about one. So some kids will get the chance to read your work (we don’t have the new one yet).. after we sneak a read first
April 10, 2012 at 12:58 pm |
Wonderful and thoughtful. I would point out that children are read fairy tales and other stories that actually are full of fear and horrible actions by adults and yet those are considered ok and a book about truth in food supply is not ok?
April 11, 2012 at 9:13 pm |
This German person obviously knows nothing about nutrition, it’s scary and sad that anyone in this day and age believes you need animal products in order to be healthy. It’s no wonder our hospitals are filled with sick people with advise like this German person is giving. All three of my kids eat a mostly plant based diet and are very healthy! The lack of education regarding nutrition and plant based diets is scary! Watch Forks Over Knives and read The China Study or A Diet For A New America or any of the other MANY vegan films and books out there and educate yourself on the healthiest way to live…I believe raw vegan id the way to go personally…..Everyone should be vegan, period. It’s best for the animals, optimum health, the environment and so many more issues.
April 17, 2012 at 3:34 pm |
Ruby, thank you for this insightful and informative article. You aren’t pulling punches — thank heavens!!! One might think that someone like German would recognize the value of a plant based diet in fighting childhood obesity!
April 18, 2012 at 2:00 pm |
[...] by “writers” on the paycheck of the animal agriculture trade. We adore Ruby’s brilliant response to a recent reviewe by Nicole German, a registered dietician on Diet Blog whose occupation and [...]
April 19, 2012 at 6:56 pm |
I just gave a copy of your first book to the director of my son’s pre-school (who happens to be 95% vegan). I am 95% sure she is going to put in the library as a I requested. My son, who just turned 5 last week, frequently ask me to read it to him. As you said, his is very curious to understand how things work and about why other people eat animals.
April 23, 2012 at 10:19 pm |
So true, so true. Here were my thoughts after watching the Today Show segment on Friday April 2oth…
http://freeheelvegan.com/2012/04/22/whos-afraid/
May 2, 2012 at 8:01 pm |
Reblogged this on eleventhbeatnik and commented:
Courage is the willingness to examine our habits and choices even if it is uncomfortable or difficult. Illumination decimates fear. Please: always choose compassion over ignorance.
May 5, 2012 at 7:44 am |
[...] years of case analyses, I’ve come to the conclusion that the majorityof opposition to veganism boils down to fear, unaware…. I don’t expect mainstream media to applaud my book—their major sponsors are pharmaceuticals, [...]
May 5, 2012 at 10:17 pm |
[...] years of case analyses, I’ve come to the conclusion that the majorityof opposition to veganism boils down to fear, unaware…. I don’t expect mainstream media to applaud my book—their major sponsors are pharmaceuticals, [...]
May 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm |
[...] actually shocking. But like I’ve said before, the majority of opposition can be explained by fear, ignorance, and industry collusion. So let’s clear up some of these concerns with a few reality-check [...]
May 28, 2012 at 7:23 pm |
she was going vegan. I was the person who was all like, Oh I could never do that. I love csheee! . She never pressured me but constantly informed me about what I was consuming that could be veganized .Over the next few months I began reading about the entangled oppressions of humans and other animals. I had, for a long while, been a fan of Cesar Chavez and came to realize that he was a committed vegan who understood that all oppressions are connected and that violence is violence no matter who it was committed against.I already considered myself to be pro-peace and anti-oppression and I remember asking myself if I could justify consuming other animals, who were every bit as entitled to a life free of exploitation and oppression as any human being. I couldn’t do it and was instantly a vegan. I donated my non-vegan clothes to others in need and immediately dropped the animal products (for lack of a better term) from my diet.Here I am three years later and I feel more and more committed to the principle of nonexploitation (veganism) every day. Not only has veganism opened my eyes to entangled oppressions of humans and other animals, it has also dramatically improved the quality of my own life in so many ways. With this renewed sense of confidence I am constantly striving to improve my life as well as the life of other beings.
April 9, 2013 at 10:48 am |
Children learn when they are young about living and education, they are eager to learn and they need to know what happens when meat is put on our table, I sure wished I was taught about what abuse and horror was used to kill animals for our food, I would have stopped eating meat very young.
April 11, 2013 at 1:49 pm |
I applaud you for this book. I will buy it for my vegan children. Interesting that no one points out the horror some children feel when they learn they have been eating the same farm animals they have learned to sing songs and read cute stories about. I remember feeling utter disbelief, denial and disgust, which was followed shortly by an elimination of many animal products I would eat (and eventually all of them).