Friday, April 4, 2014

Why Zoos are Unethical (Old Blogpost)

My Mom's Trip to the Zoo

My mom is not a vegetarian, but she is considering becoming vegan. A while ago, I received a text message from her about her trip to the Los Angeles Zoo with her client and his classmates. She said that the animals were crammed together, they received no space and the giraffes did not have room to run. She was asked by the teacher if she enjoyed the zoo and she told her she did when she really didn't.

My mom wanted to know why people treat animals the way they do and I couldn't help but think about my college experience learning about why societies all over the world object women's bodies. It is the same reason why human beings do not have respect for the planets or other species on it. I told her that the western world believes that animals are objects and are for our use to do what we please with them. I also told her that only people in so-called advanced societies believe this. This is why factory farms are allowed to treat animals as objects without feelings just so Joe and his family can have a steak, or a chicken bake on their table for six o'cock dinner.

Earlier this evening ( It's April 13th), I watched a video of one of the Youtubers that I'm subscribed to. He responded to a video made by a philosophy professor about veganism. This Youtuber is against veganism. He came up with the same arguments that were supposed to look they were not. He said toward the end of his video that if an alien species saw humans and how they domesticated animals, it would be impressed by us. I disagree with that. The typical male way of thinking about the world and it's environment is how nature can be molded and shaped and sculpted to suit the needs of humanity. The zoos and factory farming are two of many examples of this.

2014 Update:

My beliefs about zoos or other places where animals are used for our enjoyment have not changed. A little over a month ago a zoo in Belgium had a giraffe that gave birth. The baby giraffe was killed in front of the children, disected and given to the lions for food. Words cannot express how disgusted I was when I read that. Anger is not a strong enough word to describe how I felt. I know that I can't save the planet or its innocent bystanders of humanity's distruction. However, I can be one less person by not bring children into this world, reducing my carbon footprint and not supporting establishments that support animal cruelty and abuse.

What I Would Do Differently If I Could Relive My College Experience (Uncensored Commentary)

I am at the twilight of my education. I made the bold decision to leave the school I was attending in another state to finish my education in my home state due to the better quality of education and cost. First, I'm writing this unapologetically and honestly, not out of anger and bitterness. These experiences are mine and it should be a privilege on my part and yours that I'm willing write what no one else will.

Things I Would Do Differently if I Lived College Over Again

1. I would only make friends that are in the same path I'm in, whether it's in lifestyle or future career choices: I didn't think of this until my "professional skills for artists" teacher discussed what to look for in an a decent art education. She said it is helpful to be surrounded by those who have the same path. I still agree with her on this. I lived in a city that was NOT supportive of the arts, despite having a small art community and an art museum and a few galleries (I'll make a post about art schools soon). The city I lived in was also not a good place for vegans or women of color (read below). From childhood we are told that everyone deserves our time and we need to be respectful and trusting of others, we tell our daughters this the most. I say you don't like someone for any reason, you don't have to let that person into your life. If you don't want non-vegetarian/vegan men or people in your life, then cut them out. I got alot of flack from people because I had a male friend who wouldn't even look at a woman who was an omni. If I did it over again, I would only have friends who are artists and vegan/vegetarian, this includes dating. Nowadays, anyone guy who eats meat is a deal breaker.

2. I would have moved back home the same day I wasn't happy: When I lived in the city I lived in, each semester I became more and more unhappy. I used to think it was me falling into depression. I didn't know why I was getting more depressed, I thought that it was because my social connections were in Long Beach as opposed to Reno. I moved backhome to discover that it wasn't me, it was the people in the city with their views that make me sad for America and humanity in general.

3. I would not live on campus: Some students love to talk about living on campus as though it's the best idea since slice bread. Living on campus can make or break your social experience in college. In this case, it made mine worse. I would not recommend on-campus living for anyone over twenty-two unless it's an art school with a diverse range of people.

4. Jumping up at the first school that accepted me: I thought because the school I went to was the top journalism school that I would have a decent journalism education. It was from taking a computer science class that I decided to make the switch to art. I should have stepped back from the computer, breathe in and done more research.

I am happy to say that I got accepted to a top school in California for their art program. In the beginning it was difficult the first semester, but students would kill to get in, that's how competitive it is.

My Assessment of My Natural Hair Journey (Uncensored Commentary)

I started this, but never managed to share it because of my unccensored opinions about both sides of the black hair community: this side that continues to support conforming to the American beauty standard (non-kinky hair) and the side that chooses to embrace one's own natural beauty (real, natural Afro-textured hair). I am writing to continue and expand on this topic due to some personal experiences I've been having with my hair lately.

It is almost the five-year mark since I started my natural hair journey. It is perfectly part of the vegan lifestyle and empowerment. Although I can say that I am pretty lazy when it comes to my hair, I know for a fact that I would never, ever go back to chemically straightening my hair.

Being different and holding your own can be difficult in an environment where you are told that you are not "black" enough just because you choose friends by character over color, have an insatiable appetite for all things science fiction, fantasy and nerd culture in general and physically being trim, natural and unrefined. Since continuing my journey, I noticed several things since being natural:

1. The people who supported me on my hair jouney were not black. Instead they were other ethnicities. If anything, I've gotten rude comments from my own family members, especially my sister who I already barely tolerate. I've even gotten stares and rude comments from black men. My mom's friend suggested that I chemically straighten my hair or I flat iron it and I told her that it's unfair that everyone with curly, wavy and straight hair don't have to put chemicals in it, why should I?

2. I learned that people of other ethnicities prefer black women with natural hair. Whereas being  lighter-skinned with flowing hair makes for eyecandy for some guys, being dark and natural can give black women some cultural leaverage (Lupita Ny'ongo as example). I noticed since wearing my hair natural, I've been approached by nicer, more intelligent men, although they are some to many shades lighter than me. I also noticed that if dating certain men, they care about weight and whether or not a woman is fit over something as trivial as hair. I am kinky- haired, medium brown, petite and lithe, not "curly, light-skinned, and rotund.

3. There is a hair war when it comes to beauty standards. I've seen both sides sling mud at eachother. Women in the natural hair community believe that the only correct way to wear black hair is if it'streated and women who are on the other side believe that unstraightened hair is for only curly haired, straight haired or wavy haired people and they hold on to the idea that a relaxer can give self-esteem to anyone with kinky hair.

4. In the beginning, I questioned my self-worth and beauty and how I would be accepted. I thought even though I'm vegan, there would be a snowball chance in Hades before I went natural. I believed that I have to have the self-esteem to wear my hair texture. Then I made a choice, when I was in Reno, it was either burning my scalp with chemicals or wearing my hair natural. It took a huge toll in the beginning on my self-worth. When I first went natural I thought that men didn't like it, then I realized that it's not what man wants, it's what is best looking annd feeling amazing. I'm still battling feeling confident with natural hair, especially with my texture.

5.  I get mixed messages about what is best for my hair. I buy SheaMoisture products the curly line. I've been using it on my hair on and off for five years. When I'm not lazy, it works miracles in my hair and makes it really soft and whipped into shape. I've been told those products don't work on my hair, but I'm not given a suggestion on what will work for my hair. My sister who has soft, curaly hair tells me that I'm supposed to use LUSTER'S PINK HAIR LOTION, which is filled with lanolin, parabens, petroleum and petrolatum and whatever is lingering in the labs. I'll admit that it worked in my childhood, until I hit puberty and started breaking out from it. So, I'll be sticking with a brand that I know works for me and is completely VEGAN. When it comes to learning 4b/4c hair, the internet is my best friend whether it's YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Google.

6. My tastes in hairstyles have changed. I don't like braids anymore. I don't do twists anymore, especially since I'm trying to figure out these last few semesters of school. I don't have long to go. I've been putting my hair in a braid out high bun and it works. The only thing I would change about it is stretching the hair a bit, putting less product on it (choose oil base for blown out hair) and wrapping it at night. I've worn a twist'n'curl, that's when twists are placed in perm rods and sit over night and it creates amazing curls. When I recreate this, I'll be braiding from the root and twisting and rollersetting it with product. when I'm lazy I wear beanies, but my hair is so long that it looks like I stuffed my hair in them. I learned that braiding my hair in a circle can serve as a protective style.

7. I remember why I went natural when I flatiron my hair. I learned that manipulating my hair creates more breakage. My mom does not believe that hair can be damaged by heat. However, there are so many videos on heat damage. I think flatironing every few months to no more than 3 times a year won't hurt it. blowdrying on hot every few week won't damage the hair either.

I think if I can do anything different so far with the five years being natural, I would rely on research and support of friends who are natural with similar hair. I feel like so far, I have taken this journey forgranted by not appreciating myself physically, meaning keep up appearances. I would also use my natural hair as a means to enhance my beauty instead of seeing it as a burden, because I was conditioned to believe that straight/curly hair is better than kinky hair. For the rest of 2014, I will make this year the year that I appreciate my natural hair and care for it.