Dining among meat eaters
Vegetarianism is a lifestyle choice I made for myself, so I appreciate all efforts made to accommodate it. However, eating at the Central Michigan University dining halls as a vegetarian can be complicated.
I don’t simply go to the dining halls. I can’t risk using one of my precious meals when there’s nothing to eat besides fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, I am forced to eat nothing but cheese pizza, unless I am feeling brave enough to opt for the “meatless chicken.”
I know sometimes people are just curious about vegetarianism, and I absolutely respect that. But I don’t understand why some people have such critical attitudes about vegetarianism or veganism.
Please stop telling me that animals will still die even if I don’t eat them. It’s a personal choice. Even if they still die, I won’t be the one to eat them.
I am not alone in feeling this way. According to a study published by Vegetarian Times, 3.2 percent of adults in America are vegetarians. Assuming this statistic holds relatively true on campus, about 860 students are vegetarians.
Maybe that seems like a small number in comparison to the size of the student body, but let me speak for the 3.2 percent when I say that vegetarianism is an important way of life for every individual who chooses it.
I knew it would be difficult for me to find food at events and at restaurants. I’m not trying to make people feel guilty when I don’t eat the food offered. I’m just trying to maintain a balanced diet while staying true to my beliefs.
I appreciate CMU’s efforts to make food for the 3.2%. But sometimes, cheese pizza just gets a little old.
For me, eating meat differs from accidentally eating a food I dislike. Vegetarianism is a way of life I truly believe in and have stood by for five years. And some people don’t eat meat for religious reasons.
Last week, my fellow vegetarian friend and I were getting breakfast in the RFOC and came across eggs labeled “vegetarian.” Had my friend not seen the ham in the “vegetarian” dish, we could’ve accidentally eaten meat and violated what we stand for. What seems a simple mistake for some could be a sin for others.
You don’t have to adopt vegetarianism or agree with it or even understand it, but please at least respect those who choose to practice it.
