So, there is this PeTA post happening elsewhere on this site, and in it, I suggested that people do a little research on factory farming practices and examine their food choices and a bunch of people jumped down my throat for being "preachy" and trying to force them to not eat meat. How is that preachy?

I recently realized that I just don't feel right letting everyone I know put on the blinders and eat meat without knowing what their food choices mean for other animals and this planet. I have found from my own experience that even my friends and family dismiss my attempts. The reasons they give: meat tastes good and they have always eaten meat and don't want to change.

I don't want to be "preachy." Really. But those are ****py reasons to eat meat. It frustrates me so much that there is this big, real problem and everyone is averting their eyes because they don't want to know and they don't want to change.

So, finally we come to the question: Fellow veg*ns, do you try and sway or convert people you know? Do you try to educate them? Do you even admit that you are veg*n for moral reasons? I didn't admit it for 10 YEARS!!! I was too embarassed and too afraid of being lumped in with PeTA. I told people it was because I didn't like meat or for health reasons or whatever, but the truth is I AM VEG BECAUSE WHAT WE DO TO ANIMALS IS WRONG!!! There, I said it. Now, do I have to be ashamed for being "preachy?" Should I go back to pretending like there is nothing wrong with the animal exploitation industry in this society?