everything lives and dies

about a year ago i came to the realization that veganism was a form of speciesism.  or better said that the specific philosophy behind veganism was a form of speciesism.

dont get me wrong.  i am against the exploitation, murder, and enslavement of non-human and human animals.  i am also against the exploitation, murder and enslavement of plants.

but a girl has got to eat.

industrial farming exploits both animals and plants.

i realize this is not a new or unique idea.

a few days i was sitting at a coffee shop looking at the trees that were planted along the sidewalk.  these trees are slaves, i thought.  instead of living in a forest, surrounded by the myriad forms of life that sustain it. instead the tree was chained in concrete, separated from the other trees, with stunted roots.  they were there for decoration.  they were planted there for the service of humans.  they were denied their own freedom.  they were slaves.