Pretty much every group or belief has a stereotype. Feminists hate men. Environmentalists hate all humans—even themselves for being human. PETA enthusiasts love animals so much they somehow become low-key terrorists (these are worldwide stereotypes, not mine, so please do not light me on fire). There are tons of stereotypes that we all think of when we hear about a certain group, organization, mediocre cult (some Scientologist out there is saying on repeat, “Is she talking about me?” Yes, yes I am), and any other association out there.
So, I am a vegetarian. Before you stop reading right there, I want you to know, I don’t fit the stereotype. I don’t endlessly talk about saving animals or being a vegetarian. I only ever tell people I am a vegetarian when someone continuously tries to feed me meat, friends, or family.
Here’s what people expect me to do, but I do not:
I don’t make it difficult to go to restaurants because it’s my choice not to eat meat. I don’t sit around with a disgusted look on my face while people around me eat meat. I don’t preach about hurting animals or how wrong it is to eat something that was once alive. Yes, morally I think it’s wrong, but not everyone shares my opinion. Some people hunt animals just for the sole purpose of having fun. Do I agree with what they do? No. Just like they automatically think I’m nuts because I don’t eat meat. I think they’re licensed murderers, but I keep that to myself because they obviously own guns, and it’s not my place to judge them for their choices and I deserve the same courtesy.
In the past couple of months, I have stopped wearing makeup tested on animals. This wasn’t particularly difficult because I own four makeup utensils for reasons that do not apply to this topic of conversation (we are all beautiful without enhancements despite what society tells us). Now, I don’t necessarily dismiss all types of animal testing. Some PETA supporter out there just dramatically gasped and called me a hypocrite, but my reasoning is justifiable.
Some animal testing progressively benefits research that could one day cure the incurable. I know that concept only aids the lives of humans while killing animals who have only seen the inside of a cage their entire lives, but we live in a world where creatures help others. Would I want to live in a utopian world where nothing needed to be cured in the first place? Of course. I don’t like the idea that animals are tortured just to save humans, but that’s not how reality works.
I’m going to be honest, I love every animal I have ever been in contact with, but I only like about three percent of the people I meet. Despite my dislike of the species I am lumped with, humans do benefit the world. We have destroyed some things, but we aren’t knowingly destructive. We don’t like oil spills, destroying the ozone, deteriorating the coral reef, or causing a high waste production. We don’t. If we could, we wouldn’t have any of those in existence. We do more good than harm.
The point of this article was to make a statement. Sometimes we aren’t a stereotype, so don’t automatically assume we are. Focus on the organization because they exist for a reason.
