The Wake

Illustration by Alice Vislova

As defined by the Mercy for Animals Vegan Starter Kit a vegan is an individual who chooses, for health, environmental, ethical, or religious reasons, to abstain from the consumption of all animal products. This includes animal flesh, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, fur, leather, and other goods that cause suffering to animals. The University of Minnesota, along with members of the surrounding community, has taken part in vegan/vegetarianism with Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA), which will celebrate its 10th year anniversary in April.

Becca Mcdougle, a freshman at the U who became a vegan about a year and a half ago after viewing the YouTube video “Meet Your Meat,” says that joining the group was “one step further than going vegan on my own.” She feels that with the group’s support she was making a more significant difference in the world. Gil Schwartz, a graduate from the U and now CAA’s campaign coordinator says, “Sometimes vegans or vegetarians feel like an outsider in their community or possibly even their family for making the change and the group provides a positive way to connect with people who have similar interests as they do.”

According to the Vegan Starter Kit, the average vegetarian saves the lives of approximately 95 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during an average lifetime. Vegans consider every meal a powerful choice that has profound consequences on the lives of animals by either “supporting animal cruelty or living compassionately.” Schwartz made the decision almost eight years ago to become vegan, and four years before that he was a vegetarian. “I just didn’t want my money to benefit factory farming anymore,” he says, explaining that if dogs and cats were raised as factory farm animals are today, it would be considered inhuman and illegal.

CAA wants to differentiate themselves from well-known activist group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), focusing on inspiring respect for animals and promoting vegetarianism through outreach, education, and community-building primarily in the Twin Cities. Schwartz says, “When people hear the words ‘animal rights group,’ they’ll typically think of PETA and its antagonistic methods of informing the public. We’re looking to have a more significant effect on people than an aggressive demonstration or flashy headline.” He emphasizes that CAA strives for a “respectful outreach, not a hostile one.” The CAA outlook on animal cruelty is effectively quoted in the Vegan Starter Kit: “Life on “Old MacDonald’s Farm” isn’t what it used to be. The green pastures and [tranquil] barn scenes portrayed in children’s books have been replaced by windowless metal sheds, wire cages, gestation crates, and other confinement systems [all fundamental] to what is now known as ‘factory farming.’”

CAA celebrates vegetarianism weekly and holds regular meetings for anyone to participate in on Mondays at 3:00PM at Coffman Union. They welcome anyone and everyone; you don’t have to be a die-hard vegan or vegetarian to partake. Many participants go to try new and healthy things, learn about animal rights, or simply to socialize. Freshman Abby Morrisette said that a friend of hers who was a dairy farm major came to a few meetings and, although there were some surprised members, “they still welcomed her like anyone else.”

CAA also hosts social outings where members visit different restaurants around the community to try new vegan dishes. Mcdougle explains that the group also works with local restaurants to get more vegan-friendly food options on the menu. “We recently got a restaurant in the Twin Cities to switch egg suppliers from one that has the hens in cages to a ‘free-range’ or cage-free farm.” In addition to informing the community, other things CAA members do include sharing recipes, holding presentations by speakers on animal- or vegetarian-related topics, and hosting potlucks. To learn more about vegetarianism, visit vegguide.org, exploreveg.org, or participate in an upcoming CAA Monday meeting.