I am a vegan which is partly because I think it’s the most healthy way to eat, and partly out of respect for animals and a dedication to reducing their suffering. But I admit that I’ve never thought about leather goods. Well, author Kathy Freston has changed my attitude and I have strong questions for any leather goods manufacturer.
Freston states that most of the leather we use comes from India and China … “where spent dairy cows who are so broken and withered that they cannot be used for flesh are used only for leather. I watched a horrible video of emaciated animals piled on top of each other in trucks on the way to slaughter. They were slaughtered with dull blades and skinned before they were even dead.” (page 128, Quantum Wellness)
If that horrifying Nazi-like cruelty doesn’t cause you to swear off leather goods, consider this: “The video also made the point that leather decomposes unless it’s thoroughly treated with toxic chemicals, and since most leather comes from developing countries with no enforced worker or environmental protection regulations, the workers in these factories are touching and breathing in the chemicals all day long, and then the used chemicals are dumped into rivers, turning them into toxic sludge.”
We would loudly condemn anyone who treated people like these animals are treated. But what the heck … they’re “only” animals so who cares? And the workers? Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Darrel Griffin says
This issue of cruelty to animals is an important one but I suspect if you are a vegan any killing of animals would be problematic. Or are you a vegan just for health reasons? Substituting any other material for leather might be just as cruel to nature or workers. The major problem is in mass-produced goods that are made out of our sight and with the bottom line as the only motive.
Billion says
I have never really thought about the impact leather products may be having primarily because they are so incredibly common. This kind of makes me re-evaluate my use of leather goods.
Gwen4045 says
I believe that every living creature here on earth has the right to be respected weather humans or animals. These animals don’t deserve this kind of punishment from us. It is indeed horrifying, killing those poor animals who doesn’t even given a chance to defend themselves.