Let us gobble veggies not Turkeys


Last year during Thanksgiving, I sat around the table at my sister’s house in Santa Monica while sporting my “Gobble Veggies Not Turkeys” red PETA sweatshirt. Following this mantra, my vegan brother, Zack, and I delighted in the delicious plant-based dishes I prepared: a cranberry salsa dip, green-bean casserole and pumpkin pie. To my surprise, my non-vegan family loved the dishes so much they had to resist devouring our portions.

My sister, Thea, intrigued by my newfound animal rights activism, asked me to explain why I decided to become an activist. As a newbie to the animal rights movement, I had recently begun my internship at PETA’s Bob Barker Building; I passionately spat out all the information and reasons that I could possibly think of.

I fervidly explained how all sentient beings deserve to live their lives free from suffering and exploitation. Animals, just as humans, have the same capacity to feel fear, pain and frustration. Of course, we can’t treat animals the same way as we would treat humans, as we have different interests; animals deserve what humanitarian philosopher Peter Singer coins as “equal consideration.” If you wouldn’t eat a child, you shouldn’t eat a cow and if you wouldn’t eat a dog you shouldn’t eat a turkey. This ideology is based in non-speciesist morals — that is, the interests of our species shouldn’t override the interests of others and we also shouldn’t prejudice between different species of animals.

Thea stared at me and then at Zack, who proceeded to explain his reasons to go vegan, mainly environmental. Observant of Thea’s icy body movement, I thought about how inherently controversial veganism is and how vital it is to remain reasonable while impassioned to gain the opposer’s respect and maintain credibility.As Thea criticized our claims, I figured she perceived Zack and I as unreasonable extremists, as contrarians neglecting to adhere to the status quo. Although slightly agitated, family gatherings usually incite malaise anyways, and I was enjoying the discussion of ethics with the support of my well-versed vegan sibling.

I continued to stand my ground, reminding myself that Thea and the rest of my family enjoyed the dishes I prepared — a testimony that vegan food is delicious, and of course, healthier and spares the lives of animals.

When Thea began to prod me about my sweatshirt, I explained the horrors that turkeys face every year. So much for the “preachy” profiling of vegans. This time, among many others, my talk of veganism was spurred by someone’s genuine curiosity.

According to Farm Sanctuary, an estimated 46 million turkeys are killed every year for Thanksgiving alone. These turkeys are raised in overcrowded, dark, and fetid sheds and routinely have their beaks cut off absent of painkillers so they can’t peck each other to death. The stress incited by these inhumane conditions is the culprit of death for some turkeys. At only 5 or 6 months old, with their legs breaking under the pressure of the weight of their genetically bred bodies, the turkeys are thrown into crates and taken to the slaughterhouses.

So, this Thanksgiving, I ask you to promote compassionate dinner plates. Bring plant-based dishes, sport animal rights attire and engage your families in turkey conversation — and no, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. Though it is easy to shy away from engaging with ideological differences, the only way to incite change is to speak up for the voiceless who so desperately need our help.

Tessa Nesis is a a sophomore majoring in NGOs and social change.  Her column, “The Sentient Bean,” runs on Thursdays. 

4 replies
  1. Paula Renee
    Paula Renee says:

    Thank you, Tessa! I agree with you: Giving “thanks” by eating an abused, slaughtered bird who had a family of her own is no way to honor the essence of the holiday.

  2. Heather Moore
    Heather Moore says:

    Thanks so much for sharing your story! I’ve been vegan for 24 years and my immediate family celebrates a vegan Thanksgiving with me. But it wasn’t always this way. It takes a while sometimes–keep up the great work spreading compassion!

  3. Lucy_P
    Lucy_P says:

    Thanks for being an advocate for turkeys and other animals, Tessa! I’m sure your compassion is having a positive impact on your family, even if they aren’t fully “there” yet. It’s amazing how kindness is contagious! :)

  4. Jennofur OConnor
    Jennofur OConnor says:

    Nice piece, thank you. I always leave family dinners with a bloody tongue from biting it. I have kind, generous, informed family members who know the horrors of factory farming and yet they still eat dead turkey parts and other animals. I cannot wrap my head around it. I appreciate your efforts to “get through” to your family.

Comments are closed.