by Rogers Johnson

“Hi, my name is Rog,” I say to the group of 30 former carnivores, sitting in a circle. “HI ROG,” the small crowd says back in unison, offering their support.

“…and I’m a recovering meat eater,” I continue to admit, hoping no one I know is there to witness my shame.

This fantasy scenario has played out in my head for years, because I knew no one, even casually, who was a vegan or vegetarian, or even chickatarian (Well at least they only eat chickens, cut some slack!) the first few years of giving up my dependency on animals in my life. I wished there were groups like this, and there should be.

The profound emotional associations we have to non-vegan food and clothing like leather, which still smells good to me, have been discussed before in detail, but it’s important to understand this dynamic. Now all this assumes, of course, that you were not raised a veg and you grew up loving things like burgers, etc.

The term “emotional associations” is a way of saying, “conditioned responses,” and it acknowledges that we must deal with certain realities in an imperfect world. If someone you love dies, and you often ate peppermint ice-cream with that person, you might, at the moment say, “F*** the vegans of the world, do I have to be f***ing perfect?!

I suppose in that situation, your emotional response to NOT eating the ice-cream would need to stronger than the momentary desire for comfort. And though I don’t eat ice-cream, I certainly begrudge no one for doing so, especially under those circumstances. Ice-cream is just not INTERESTING to me. Miso soup is comforting, and other things…BUT THAT’S JUST ME.

We have to admit, that everyone has a rebel inside of that elusive phenomenon we call ‘mind.’ There is some part of the human condition (probably in part arising from early childhood) that says, “OH YEA, I SHOULDN’T DO THAT HUH? WELL WATCH THIS.” Admit it!

But I like to harness that inner rebel…use that energy, that wants to be free, and feel unconstrained by authoritarianism, and say to the slaughterhouses, and the McDonalds, and the Tyson Foods, and the Oprah Winfrey free-ham-and-turkey-for-every-audience-member-for-the-holidays-give-away shows…of the world, “OH YEA? YOU WANT ME TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR MEAT EATING GAME…THAT’S WHAT EVERYONE IS DOING?...WELL WATCH THIS!

I mean, it’s far cooler to rebel against authority than against the rebellers!

Rebellion, it’s human nature…it gave us virtually every great thing that’s ever been done…and if you feel those particular feelings, than you can use that to do one of the greatest thing a person, especially in our time, can do with their life…become a vegetarian. Be a rebel, WITH A GOOD CAUSE!

About the Author:

Rogers Johnson has been predominantly vegan for 20 years and has worked with many prominent restaurateurs, in addition to his writing. His website can be found at http://www.myspace.com/rogersjohnson

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