Quotes on Slavery » Blog

Is there a common bond between atheism and veganism?

Randy Sandberg — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:26 +0000

Atheists do not believe in supreme beings commonly referred to as gods. Vegans do not believe other-than-human animals exist merely to serve human needs. That is, vegans believe nonhuman animals exist for the same reasons we do—their own.

Is there a common bond between atheism and veganism? I believe so and I suggest it is doubt. That is, in a society such as here in the USA where “more than 9 in 10 Americans continue to believe in God“, doubt is at the heart of what helps turn a believer or likely believer into a non-believer.

From my perspective, the same goes for veganism. In a world where other-than-humans are routinely thought of as things to be bought, sold, used, and possibly even killed for mostly trivial human needs, folks who think differently are a rarity. Once again, doubt, I believe, is key to acquiring this currently uncommon worldview.

So, doubt or skepticism, to me, is at the very core of most atheists, vegans, and other such freethinking individuals. Thus, if this is true, it is my prediction that as time goes by and we move further away from the age of faith and into the age of doubt—where challenging the status quo is seen as a noble act rather than an act of heresy—we will see a significant rise in the numbers of atheists and vegans alike.

Think, then Go Atheist and Vegan!

Being vegan means saying No to slavery

Randy Sandberg — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 03:58:02 +0000

The way I see it, being vegan simply means not thinking of others as commodities that can be bought or sold. That is, being vegan means saying No to slavery.

Think, then Go Vegan!

Dear deer,

Randy Sandberg — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:32:07 +0000

While walking to the grocery store today, I saw five of you running across my path. My initial thought was, “How awesome is this?” My secondary thought was, “I sure don’t see you guys all that much around here.” After that, my thoughts turned dark.

I couldn’t shake the realization that if I were someone else, I might be thinking, “Deer, tasty”, “Damn, I wish I had my gun”, and other even more disturbing things. Or, thoughts such as, “I need to feed my family, so ….” The same kind of pathetic excuse making that results in people robbing liquor stores and banks all the while feeling guiltless.

Then it hit me, this is the kind of world we live in. A world were humans can pretty much do whatever they wish to other-than-humans and not only get away with it, but get praise from those around them as well. For example, I don’t even want to tell you what some humans do with your heads, but take note, if they did the same with human heads they’d be locked away in prison for a very long time or worse.

Thus, I am sorry deer. So far my vegan friends and I have failed you. But, never fear, we are a persistent lot. A lot, steadily growing in number, doing what we can to make a better, safer, and more vegan world for all humans and other-than-humans alike.

Sincerely,

Randy Sandberg

Stand Tall—Be Vegan!

Randy Sandberg — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 09:10:06 +0000

If YOU stand for Justice—Stand Tall—Be Vegan!

Think, then Go Vegan!

Slavery is Slavery

Randy Sandberg — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:57 +0000

As a vegan, I avoid supporting any industry that uses slave labor. It does not matter to me whether the slave walks on two feet or four, has hair or fur, has dark skin or light, is male or female, is young or old, etcetera, etc.

What does matter to me, is if the slave is sentient. That’s all that should matter to anyone who stands against slavery. Because, slavery is wrong. It hurts, it kills, and it cannot ever be made right. It can only be abolished.

As an abolitionist, I educate the public about the horrors of slavery and how we all need to do our part to end it. I feel that part is twofold—stop funding it and inspire others to do the same. Sure, there will be those who continue to support slavery. That is out of our hands. All we can do is change ourselves, educate the masses, and be living examples of what it means to be vegan abolitionists.

Think, then Go Vegan!

The truth will set them free

Randy Sandberg — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:00:47 +0000

The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.
~ Gloria Steinem

People can change for the better when they run out of excuses. Feeding folks lies about how slavery can be made acceptable adds to the non-vegan community’s bevy of excuses. Whereas telling them the truth, that slavery is always wrong, helps reduce their excuses to a whimper. Thus, if you really want to help end slavery, always tell the truth no matter how bitter the pill is perceived (by YOU) to swallow.

Think, then Go Vegan!

I do not love all animals

Randy Sandberg — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:36:49 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, even though I am vegan I do not love all animals. That is, although I do love some human as well as nonhuman animals—such as many of my family members, friends, and adopted companions—I do not love every animal on Earth.

In fact, the idea of an “animal lover” sounds rather odd to me. Seriously, who really loves all animals? Or, most likely to be more precise, who loves all nonhuman animals? Now, I’m sure there will be comments from folks who claim to love all animals, but I still think it’s an odd statement. First and foremost, how can someone love someone else (and we’re talking trillions of them here) who they’ve never met?

Secondly, what about ticks? Yes, they are animals just like humans, kittens, puppies, and baby seals are animals. Do “animal lovers” love ticks? All ticks? Because, if they don’t then the term “animal lover” needs to be downgraded to something less encompassing such as “loves some animals” which, of course, would apply to me as well.

Lastly, for me the term “animal lover” when used in the context of animal rights, or let’s just call it what it is—the other antislavery movement, sounds too much like what proslavers called abolitionists of the past. That is, back in the days when human slavery was all the rage, it was common for an antislavery advocate to be called an “‘N’ word lover” by those who supported slavery and was most certainly not meant as a compliment.

But, to each his/her own. Now, back to me. I may not love every human and nonhuman animal on this planet, but I most certainly respect them enough not to use them as slaves. Hence the reason I am vegan.

Being vegan, for me, simply means standing up against those who enslave others. That is, everyday I make an effort not to support industries that enslave, torture, and/or murder others regardless of who or what species they are. Why? That’s simple, I am vegan because slavery is wrong. Hey, now that would make an excellent quote.

Think, then Go Vegan!

Being vegan isn’t about doing something “hip” or “cool”

Randy Sandberg — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:20:35 +0000

Being vegan isn’t about doing something “hip” or “cool”, it’s about doing something right rather than wrong.

Think, then Go Vegan!

Welfare versus Abolition

Randy Sandberg — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:29:45 +0000

Please think about the following quote by Woodrow Wilson the next time the debate between welfare (i.e., pursuing the regulation of slavery) versus abolition (i.e., pursuing the end of slavery) comes up:

I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.
~ Woodrow Wilson

Think, then Go Vegan!

That is sentience

Randy Sandberg — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:33:18 +0000

Why does the spider hide or run when he is threatened? Because he fears pain and doesn’t want to die. That is sentience.

Think, then Go Vegan!

Denying their sentience and personhood