Person the other week noticed I was wearing vegan Doc Martens (the tags are white for vegan shoes). I know they're polyurethane, which isn't great, but I'd prefer that over animal skin on my feet. This person was apparently also a vegan, but says they prefer wearing leather (what) because in their words "Animal leather is biodegradable, lasts longer, and is a by-product of the already existing meat industry." making the point that animal leather has less of an environmental impact.

I didn't know how to respond at all. I know veganism isn't simply consumption habits but it did make me feel weird. I still don't think anyone should wear leather.

Does anyone have advice? I'm just feeling weird and self-conscious now

  • chickentendrils [any, comrade/them]
    ·
    9 months ago

    I don't think it really matters. For a vegan, following "the cow's already been killed for meat" can lead to some absurd outcomes. For a dietary non-ethical vegans it makes perfect sense. For an ethical vegan, it would not.

    • axont [she/her, comrade/them]
      hexagon
      ·
      9 months ago

      Yeah there's one person I know who keeps asking if vegans can eat roadkill, since "the animal is already dead." It's absurd.