Believe: The Sour Just Makes the Sweet that Much Sweeter

"Don't stop believing,

Hold on to that feeling."

-Journey

Doing this thing all these years, I've had my share of heartache, my share of tears. I have been made sick to my stomach by abuses that are unthinkable and I have been moved to tears by happy endings to the lucky ones who received it.

Animal Rights is an important social movement. Women, African Americans, Gays & Lesbians, just to name a few, have been treated horribly, unfairly, like they were not worth it, like second class citizens. And although these movements are still working towards change, towards equality, we have seen huge progress. I am positive and optimistic that things will move forward and we will win equality for all. Because everyone is worth it and everyone is so much more than they are being portrayed by the ones who don't understand them.

Just like others, animals have been thought of as nothings. "They are just food", "it is part of the circle of life", "God put them here for people to eat", they say. Well, I SAY that is absurd!

They are not food, they are interesting, they make friends and have families, they communicate, they survive, they have feelings and things that make them happy, they are brilliant. Just because they don't speak our language, just because they are different, we are entitled to persecute, abuse, and exploit them? No way.

It is not the circle of life because in this day and age we have other means. We have the best, we have better, means to protein and food. We have quinoa, which is complete protein. We have soy, we have lentils, we have beans. We have flax and vegetable oils to get our perfect ratio of omegas. We have enriched non-dairy milks, and so many other foods with loads of B vitamins (but we also have Deva Nutrition - where you can get pretty much any vegan supplement known to man), therefor we have a vegetarian community that studies show live longer and healthier lives. We have a vegan substitute for ANYTHING.

Whichever God you believe in, is there really any proof that He or She would want us to treat other beings this way? No matter your religious belief, you see what I see, animals crying out in pain wondering why the pain is happening to them. If you don't believe in God or religion, you can still see pain. You can still relate. The problem is that no one sees pain in their fast-food hamburger wrapped in paper. The abuse and torture has been well hidden, enough to where animals are still being abused for food, apparel, animal testing, entertainment, and much more. It is happening behind the scenes and the Dirty Vegan is here to show you why being cruelty-free is fabulous, fun, but mainly, it is a beautiful thing because you don't have to live your life knowing in the back of your mind someone had to suffer for what you have. You can also take comfort in knowing that what you are doing supports change, and things are turning around for animals; knowing that you were a part of these victories. I believe one day everyone will be equal. I believe animals will roam free, I believe women will make the same wages as men, I believe all races will be treated equally (because quite frankly, who gives a crap about skin color, there is so much more that defines a person - no more judging people! - and heritage is a beautiful thing, lets celebrate all cultures!), I believe that one day people will butt-out of thinking they have a right to tell people who they can marry or love (how is that even anyone else's business?), and I believe one day all beings will be equal.

Here are some examples of the Sweet and Sour. The Sour angers us, it drives us to change things, it hurts us, and we feel for their pain. The Sweet makes it all worth it; the rainbow after a storm. The Sweet is confirmation that we are winning.

The Victories...the Sweet:

"Not one of the experiments that the company conducted was legally required for beverage makers, and regulators have stated that animal tests are not required to prove a health claim about a product.

With this victory, the suffering of animals for Lipton and PG tips teas ends. Lipton joins many other tea and beverage companies—including Stash Tea, Luzianne Tea, Twinings, Honest Tea, Ocean Spray, Welch's, POM Wonderful, and Japan-based tea giant ITO EN—in being cruelty-free.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Posted by PETA"

The Tragedies...the Sour:

Life is not a circus for these poor animals. Life is horrible for them.

Don't stop believing, stop supporting industries that conduct animal abuse. You will be saving lives and think of all the GOOD Karma that will be coming your way! There is nothing more glamorous than a kind and compassionate person. To me, that is super sexy! For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off.

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