August: Osage County Reminds Us to Salute Young Vegans

Watch this clip from August: Osage County. I’ll wait.

To recap what we see here: Fourteen year old Jean (played by Abigail Breslin) explains to her family why she doesn’t eat meat. She explains how “when you eat meat, you ingest all of that fear that the animal felt when it was slaughtered to produce food.” Most of the people at the table find this to be hilarious. In fact, the only one who doesn’t seem amused as Jean’s stance is mocked is her father (Ewan MacGregor).

This scene made me sad. Do we know enough about Jean to know if she is strong in her convictions? Not really; her mom (played by Julia Roberts) later says she has caught her sneaking burgers – much to her denial. But Jean’s convictions aren’t the point here.

Not all of us are lucky enough to have a support network around us. Being vegan is easy, but navigating a non-vegan world has its challenges. I am so inspired by teenagers who “get it” early on. It took me till twenty-eight years old to start waking up. Fortunately, I was well past the age of “my house, my rules.” I don’t think that the scene played out in this film is outside the realm of possibility; in fact, I think it’s a very real occurrence for many young, compassionate people.

It’s hard enough being different from everyone else – sure, as a child and a teenager, but even as an adult, at least sometimes. It’s not shocking to think of how many young people start to have a realization, only to lock it back into its box lest they be chided. It’s easier not to: not to critically think, not to reject the status quo, not to be “weird.” But easy isn’t always right.

To those who are told “it’s a phase” (by Red Robin, no less). To those who are teased at school or at home. To those who are told to eat what’s on the table or go hungry. To those who realized that everything we’re told from the time we start eating solid foods is wrong, I salute you.

Readers, what do you see in the scene above? Have you experienced similar? How do you cope?

Photo credit: Kristian Niemi via Flickr