2008 Woodie Awards
Veggie speaker calls for veggie pride
Hannah Jastram
Issue date: 5/19/06 Section: Features
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Pamela Rice taught the vegetarians of Lawrence how to battle meat-eaters last Saturday.
The Lawrence University Vegetarians and Vegans brought the New York author of "101 Reasons I'm a Vegetarian" to campus to speak about vegetarianism.
Rice decided fifteen years ago to become a vegetarian after spending a weekend at a conference intended to bring vegetarians together. She began writing down the reasons behind her choice and eventually published a book. She handed out a pamphlet by the same name before her presentation began.
The focus of Rice's presentation, however, was not the 101 reasons. "I'm going to assume that most of you are vegetarians," she said. "I don't want to preach to the converted."
Instead, Rice stressed the importance of making noise. "We need to be writing letters to the editor," she emphasized. She spoke of how she had dressed in a sandwich sign that read, "Ask Me Why I'm a Vegetarian," quipping, "I have no pride."
She did, however, have a similar sign available should anyone care to purchase it.
Of equal importance, Rice said, was having "reputable sources." She opened her pamphlet and pointed out how each reason was backed up with references. While they may be reputable, 23 of the references for her "101 Reasons" are 10 years old or older, and one reference, John Robbins' "Diet for a New America," dates back to 1987.
Rice devoted the next part of her presentation to examples of vegetarian news, which she defined as news that denigrates a meat-diet. "We need more amassing of vegetarian news to make our argument," she said. "It's our bread and butter. Or bread and margarine, if you're vegan." Rice went through several articles, whose topics ranged from the environmental to agricultural to health.
On some topics, Rice was very outspoken. "A meat diet is detrimental to our species," she asserted, referring not only to the immediate side effects, such as clogged arteries, but also more remote effects. She explained the connections between several nasty diseases - including SARS, Ebola, influenza, and avian bird flu - to the meat industry.
The Lawrence University Vegetarians and Vegans brought the New York author of "101 Reasons I'm a Vegetarian" to campus to speak about vegetarianism.
Rice decided fifteen years ago to become a vegetarian after spending a weekend at a conference intended to bring vegetarians together. She began writing down the reasons behind her choice and eventually published a book. She handed out a pamphlet by the same name before her presentation began.
The focus of Rice's presentation, however, was not the 101 reasons. "I'm going to assume that most of you are vegetarians," she said. "I don't want to preach to the converted."
Instead, Rice stressed the importance of making noise. "We need to be writing letters to the editor," she emphasized. She spoke of how she had dressed in a sandwich sign that read, "Ask Me Why I'm a Vegetarian," quipping, "I have no pride."
She did, however, have a similar sign available should anyone care to purchase it.
Of equal importance, Rice said, was having "reputable sources." She opened her pamphlet and pointed out how each reason was backed up with references. While they may be reputable, 23 of the references for her "101 Reasons" are 10 years old or older, and one reference, John Robbins' "Diet for a New America," dates back to 1987.
Rice devoted the next part of her presentation to examples of vegetarian news, which she defined as news that denigrates a meat-diet. "We need more amassing of vegetarian news to make our argument," she said. "It's our bread and butter. Or bread and margarine, if you're vegan." Rice went through several articles, whose topics ranged from the environmental to agricultural to health.
On some topics, Rice was very outspoken. "A meat diet is detrimental to our species," she asserted, referring not only to the immediate side effects, such as clogged arteries, but also more remote effects. She explained the connections between several nasty diseases - including SARS, Ebola, influenza, and avian bird flu - to the meat industry.
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