Vegecated

     In this reaction paper, I am discussing the documentary “Vegecated”, written by Marisa Miller-Wolfson.  Ms. Miller-Wolfson is a full-time food activist who advocates the vegan lifestyle to people across North America.  After learning about the processes involved in making food from animals, and seeing the inhumane treatment of them, Miller-Wolfson made a life changing commitment to become a vegan.  She begins to wonder if being exposed to the same information she was would also inspire others in the same way.  As a result, she decided to do an experiment. She would choose three people from different backgrounds and have them each enlist in a completely vegan lifestyle for a period of six weeks.  During this time, she would present to them information about the healthful benefits of veganism, nutritious and tasty food options they can enjoy, the detrimental impact of meat production on the environment,  as well as how inhumanely the animals are treated in America’s slaughterhouses.
     Tesla, Brian, and Ellen embark on their journeys to veganism with good humor and high hopes of losing weight, gaining better health and feeling better.  What they actually got was much better!  Even though some of the lessons they were exposed to were very hard, they each discovered an awareness of a situation they did not even know existed,  as well as a deep compassion for the animals being used in our food supply.  A pivotal time in the documentary occurs when they are exposed to the reality of how animals raised as food are bred, housed and slaughtered.  Each face had a look of shock and some tears as they witness the dark side of America’s meat and dairy production.  It was this new found knowledge that helped them to fully commit to being vegan.
     The group becomes empowered to make a difference in the lives of the animals destined to be slaughtered and at one point, they are able to save some worn out chickens from being destroyed.  They take the chickens to a farm sanctuary where they experience the joy of saving them.  This was a valuable experience to them because they were able to see that each animal has a unique personality.  They finally understood animals are more than objects to be used and killed for food; rather they have feelings and should be allowed to live in peace.  The six week experiment worked well in convincing the three to make the diet change to veganism on a permanent basis.
     From watching the documentary, I was also convicted with feelings of compassion and horror.  Seeing the inhumane treatment of the animals was heartbreaking and difficult to watch.  It was very compelling to me to consider my own diet.  Should I also change my diet to eliminate meats?  Yes, I think I can do that.  The dairy aspect of my diet is the hardest for me to commit to changing.  I love cheeses, ice cream and dairy products so much.  Yet the vivid picture of the laboring cow giving birth to a calf that was immediately taken from her dragged away by its legs begs me to reconsider.
     “Vegecated” is successful in presenting its evidence against consuming animal products.  The film masterfully entertains you then stealthily hits you with the harsh reality of the hell animals must endure to become our food.  I think the documentary is factual in its presentation and honest in its intent to provoke thought in the viewer.  It was well written and should be shown to more people to raise awareness of living vegan.