Just like any other American, I was raised on a diet filled with meat. However, because my parents were from Asia, we didn't include much dairy in our diet. It was when I adapted to the American ways that I became obsessed with fast food and ice cream. It had never occurred to me that animals suffer for people like me to have food, not to mention how bad it was for my health. My parents and school always taught me that including meat and dairy into my diet was very healthy. I remember eating lamb chop (poor things!) because my parents told me it was good for asthma!
During the summer of 2001, my co-worker-who was a vegetarian-told me a lot about veganism. I remember I was eating gummi candy when she told me what gelatin and beeswax really were. I was horrified and threw away my gummi candy immediately. I decided to become vegan and began avoiding animal products. It surprised me that I was able to give up dairy so fast considering how infatuated I was with ice cream, but I was lactose intolerant so I had no choice. It was difficult for me to check labels and give up chicken, seafood and eggs. It was so hard that I actually surrendered to it. I thought to myself, "You know what? I'm not perfect and I don't have to be vegan, so I'm not going to give it up."
PETA's Vegetarian Starter Kit helped me become a vegan. I read the magazine from the front cover to the back and when I was finished, I wanted to cry and vomit. I wanted to cry when I found out what animals have to endure in order for people to eat and look fashionable. I wanted to puke when I realized what was in my body. After I read it, I gave up everything instantly. I've also stopped wearing my down jacket and suede shoes. I officially became vegan in January 2004, although I still used some non-vegan items that I owned before I converted.
It's especially a bitch during special occasions. Whenever my family goes out to dinner with relatives or friends, I would skip out on it because I knew there wouldn't be anything I could eat. I even ditched Thanksgiving. My school makes a big deal over everything, so we have a big all-school breakfast celebration every year. It's mandatory, but I refuse to go. I'd rather lose credits than to sit there while everyone is eating. Also, every Friday, my advisory/homeroom does a little celebration for the students. All my teachers know damn well that I'm vegan, but my advisory teacher still brings ice cream and cake every Friday. She even has the audacity to offer me some. I usually leave the classroom and sit outside because I don't want to see a bunch of idiots supporting rape by sucking on something that came out of an animal.
The only person that supports me is my twin sister, who is also vegan. My parents refuse to buy me food, my school doesn't care about my needs, and my so-called "friends" are totally inconsiderate. One time, my "friend" pulled me aside and said, "Please stop what you're doing. It's not healthy at all and you're just going to ruin your body. Someone I know got very sick when she replaced dairy milk with soy milk." I thought, "Well, that person was probably allergic to soy milk!" I feel absolutely great and healthier ever since I became vegan. Just knowing that I'm not hurting animals and that I'm helping the environment makes me feel a hundred times better.
--Angie Lau and her twin sister are vegans and active with PETA.
