Category: Entry 2 (Page 2 of 2)

My first week with this project brought me on a path which I was not expecting. For my project, my goal was simply to raise money for what I believe to be a good cause. To start, since I am on the track team, I thought that I would be comfortable talking to most members of the team about whether or not they were willing to donate a small amount, which would be about 1 to 5 dollars. However, in looking over my plan, I realize that my project focuses too much on money, which seems materialistic to me. Additionally, I feel that this project could help improve the team relations.

Thus I have decided to modify my project. Instead of simply telling them that this Amnesty International donation is for a good cause and that they should donate, I am going to have my team members write either why they think it is important that we speak out against social injustices, as Azza Soliman has in Egypt, or why they think equality in general is important. I think putting together a project like this will be supportive in artistic and financial ways to social justice in the world, and it will help a cause in a different continent while also helping improve relationships. Our relationships will be stronger because in the end, the team can look at their reasons for finding social justice important, and realize that they all contributed to a cause, together, with nonviolent means

As my project develops, I will incorporate getting the students of Lafayette as a whole involved in this project.

My first week of vegetarianism wasn’t as smooth as I anticipated it to be. The transition into vegetarian food was quite difficult, as for most of my life I’ve been consuming animal based foods (especially meats). Moreover, I have broken the diet on two occasions already, and everyday I struggle to maintain the regime. However, I have come to understand that it is important for my project to be challenging and that I impart its purpose to others.

Although Remaining vegetarian thus far has required great mental willpower, the struggle is necessary. Initially I believed switching to vegetarianism would be easy, and that this change would only make me feel good to be supporting the movement against Industrial animal husbandry, and healthier.  However, customs are hard to change, and after the second day I’d become tired of eating tofu and quinoa. Nonetheless, struggling with this project is part of what makes it valuable. This notion is remarked in Nagler’s The Nonviolence Handbook, where he mentions how Satyagraha  (A way of passive resistance) often necessitates suffering (Nagler 2014, 53-54),  as it shows true commitment and draws attention to the issue.

Finally, I have decided to increase the influence my project will have in the community. As in the first week I found value in struggling with it, I now want to communicate to others why I’m choosing to go vegetarian. I will share the difficulties inherent in making such a sharp transition, mentioning how the challenges of becoming a vegetarian are insignificant compared to the immense suffering all the animals that become our food go through. Hopefully, after hearing about the horrors of industrial animal husbandry others will join me knowing well that it will require genuine determination.

Nagler, Michael. 2014. The Nonviolence Handbook. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.