Sometimes I question why I am so committed to wearing non leather shoes. I look at all the beautiful leather items there are, I look at the leather shoes at Jcrew, and wonder, am I trying to make things hard for myself? Am I trying to deny myself nice things for some weird psychological reason? What good is buying non leather shoes doing , especially when those shoes are usually made in China or India, countries where there are NO animal welfare laws or those laws are never enforced. Why not buy Toms shoes–the ones with leather soles– because at least by buying a pair of Toms, a child in need gets a pair of shoes.

Well,  sometimes I really do wonder, am I fooling myself into believing buying vegan shoes is important?

Sometimes I read things like this article and this one though,  and am reminded I am doing the right thing.

One problem I have as a vegetarian, and I wonder if any one else reading this blog has it too, is that I’m afraid to educate myself and learn more about vegetarianism and the specific treatment of animals because watching those kinds of videos or reading those kinds of books and articles is too disturbing. I’ve watched the videos and read the books, but it’s not something I want to do more of.  I hate seeing animals tortured. One of my least favorite experiences in the world is seeing a truck carrying cattle on the road. I feel so bad for them,  going off to the feedlots or off to slaughter,  and I can’t do anything about it.

The once easy thing I can do something about is refusing to buy leather. You are then participating in a boycott of the cruel and immoral leather industry.  It’s not a lot, but it is something, and I think it does make a difference very gradually. I’m no expert on abolitionist history, but imagine the message it would have sent if you were living in the south in the 1850s and one of your neighbors refused to have slaves. Although he was not working to end the slave trade himself,  he had done something small and powerful. That’s how I feel about boycotting the leather industry.

My readers, please share your thoughts with me on this troubling philosophical issue. Do you think being a vegan or a vegetarian and refusing to buy leather makes a difference? Do you ever feel like just eating a hot dog or just buying that beautiful pair of perfect leather shoes. How do you justify being a vegetarian or vegan? Ever wonder if you’re just trying to appear  morally superior, or just refusing to admit to yourself that you’ve unnecessarily limited yourself in your dining choices and lifestyle? I’d LOVE to know. Comment below.