Enewsletter

Notes from Vegan Outreach

40,000+ Booklets Handed Out at Texas Warped Tours!!

Eugene, Liza, and I -- with help from Kate, Kerri, and Jennifer -- handed over 40,000 Why Vegan and Even If You Like Meat booklets at the Warped Tour events in San Antonio (Friday, 12,500), Dallas (Saturday, 15,000), and Houston (Monday, ~13,000). With the help, we covered the area pretty thoroughly this year, so very few escaped without facing reality. The opening lines that seemed to stimulate the most interest with this younger crowd were "Info on animal abuse" and "Animal Rights info." Working the half a mile long lines before the gates opened worked great, because they have nothing better to do but read the booklets. Many were just sitting down with their circle of friends, so it was good to give one or two to each group of kids. They all had to share, making them scarce, thus highly demanded, with only a couple on the ground afterwards.
      Many were looking them over while waiting in line and looked disgusted, sad and upset about factory farming, so I am confident may of them will soon change. A number of people came up and told me there were very interested, and many recalled the booklets from last year. Eugene commented that he overheard the kids talking to each other as I was passing out the pamphlets, and that he heard lots and lots of them mention to their friends that this pamphlet is the reason they are vegetarian.
      We were fortunate that rain delayed the Houston event a day, since we were beat after the long days (9am-11pm leafleting in the heat) and driving overnight to the next tour site. The delay also allowed us to hit the American Idol concert, where Eugene and I handed out 800 Why Vegans.
-Casey Constable (above, with boxes before the tour; below, working the line before gates open; photos by Eugene Khutoryansky), 7/17/07

Link of the Week -- Anger, Humor, and Advocacy

excerpt: "We believe that having a sense of humor is in the animals' best interest, because not only does it make our example more appealing, but it aids in avoiding burnout. In the cumulative ~50 years we've been active, Jack, Anne, and I have known literally hundreds of activists who have given up -- many of whom have even gone back to eating meat! On the other hand, the most successful activists we've known almost always have a sustaining sense of humor.
      "To have any change occur in the world, we need to convince others to think beyond themselves. We must be willing to do the same. Just as we want others to look beyond the short-term satisfaction of following habits and traditions, we need to move past our anger to effective advocacy (e.g., moving from yelling and chanting to constructive educational outreach). If I claim that I can’t be happy -- that I am a slave to my situation–how can I expect others to be able to act differently?
      "As long as there is conscious life on Earth, there will be suffering. The question becomes what to do with the existence each of us is given. We can choose to add our own fury and misery to the rest, or we can set an example by simultaneously working constructively to alleviate suffering while leading joyous, meaningful, fulfilled lives." Read more.

Products & Recipe of the Week

Cheri: Yves bologna slices -- perfect for when you want to just eat a bologna sandwich with lettuce and mustard for the simple lunch from childhood.

Jack Norris, RD, has added a new vegan EPA (essential fatty acid) supplement to his list.

Longtime member and friend Kathryn Bulver sent in her red and green potato salad recipe -- perfect for summer gatherings, or with your bologna sandwich! Also note the other great recipes on that page.

Send your nominees for Product of the Week to product (at) veganoutreach (dot) org; previous products can be found here.

Feedback from Our Members

I recently came across one of your booklets at a concert in Texas. Since then, I will not touch animal products -- your efforts have been effective. I would, furthermore, like to help reach out into the community and aid the cause.
-NS, 7/16/07

Vegan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering of farmed animals by promoting informed, ethical eating. All donations are tax-deductible. Vegan Outreach POB 30865, Tucson, AZ 85751-0865