This is the place for you to voice your opinions or let off some steam
about issues that affect us all. We’re always keen to read your
viewpoints and we’re sure that there are loads of other young veggies
out there who will want to know what you’re thinking too!
Have your say by e-mailing haveyoursay@vegsoc.org now!
Note: We can’t guarantee to use all contributions but any replies will be read and acknowledged. All messages will be subject to moderation before they are allowed online so whilst you’re having your say make sure that you avoid anything which might be considered obscene language, steer clear of personal criticism and try to stick to the point! And if you are replying to a particular contribution, please quote the name of the person who sent in the original message just to help keep us all on track.
Leather
Have you ever worn leather or does the very thought of it make your skin crawl? Is using the skin as bad as eating the flesh? Would you ever carry a leather bag, use a leather cricket ball, pull on a leather belt or sit on a leather chair? Perhaps you’ll only use leather if it’s second-hand… perhaps you can’t find a suitable alternative!
Let us know what you think by getting involved in the Young Veggie leather debate! Why not do some research to back up your argument and try to win over those who might disagree with you…
| From Coral |
| "I loathe leather a lot. I don't participate in going to football games at my school because the football is pigskin. I do not wear leather at all. I ride horses however. My dad is planning to get me a horse for my birthday. I will get a synthetic saddle, they are easier for the horse anyway as they are lighter on their backs. When I get new shoes, I check the inside tag to see if there is any death in it. When I became a vegetarian, I trained myself to think of a suffering animal whenever I got tempted to buy leather or devour meat. Now, just smelling or seeing it makes me lose my appetite. I plug my nose in the school cafeteria. I would never touch the leather couch in our living room with a ten-foot pole!" |
| From Tom, aged 15 |
| "Ever since I became vegetarian I have avoided leather as much as I can. I never buy leather shoes anymore although I appreciate that it is difficult to find other materials so I do not hold this against people. What really annoys me is leather jackets as this is just so obvious and it is like adding insult to injury. I also hate it when shops sell exclusively leather products and show off about it! It's nothing to be proud of and they would obviously get a lot more custom if they were more diverse." |
| From Michelle |
| "Now I'm in college I’m finding it’s getting easier to find shoes that are not leather. When I was in school it was harder with school shoes but to be honest I didn’t really wear leather before I was veggie anyway... However, I ride horses and it is not just a hobby but something I want to do as a career. The only time I come close to leather is when I'm handling the horse’s saddle and bridle - any other time I won’t but, for the horses... sorry cows!" |
| From Kathryn Turnbull |
| "Personally I really do hate leather and buying it significantly contributes to the meat industry as it is one of the most valuable parts of the animal. I find it very difficult to wear it, and even more frustrated when my mother asks if I can 'just make an exception'! Though it is very difficult to find shoes that aren't made of leather, in the North East it is almost impossible. So my options are very limited, unless I am willing to buy poorly made canvas shoes that don't keep your feet dry in the winter. I am still trying to find an alternative to leather...I just can't stand it! It also annoys me how much leather is used in the production of musical instruments, saxophones have leather pads and some clarinets have pads made from fish skin and come in an all leather case. This is just impossible to avoid!" |
| From Kirsty |
| "I really hate
leather, I think that it's inhumane and the same as wearing fur
or eating
meat. However, I myself do own leather shoes. This is because
they are supposedly "good for your feet", so at least
for school I have to have leather shoes (against my beliefs -
my Mum makes me). Despite this, I avoid buying them at all costs
as there are so many products you can buy without leather, and
the vast majority of my (many) shoes are completely leather free.
I find the actual smell and look of leather repulsive as I recognise it instantly as a corpse of a murdered animal, and I think it's really sad that society still makes and sells products which are made from a slaughtered animal which used to have thoughts, feelings, family and life." |
| From Natasha |
| "I am very against leather and have never owned a leather jacket, sofa or bag but really struggle to find sensible school shoes that aren't leather, if anybody has any good suggestions for alternative footwear it would be much appreciated!" |
| From Joe, aged 14 |
| “I find leather really hard to avoid, my school won't let you wear canvas shoes, the leather alternatives cost a bomb and when it gets hot they make your feet smell. So I’m going to just look after my leather pair really well until I finish school then I'm not going to wear leather shoes ever again, promise!” |
| From Alex |
| “The thought of leather certainly does make my skin crawl, but I find it hard to avoid. It's so widely used. I would never intentionally buy leather though.” |
| From Ruby |
| “The thought of having a skin that has been ripped from a dead animal on me is so disgusting… you definitely won’t ever catch me wearing leather no matter how good some people might think it looks!” |
| From Phil H |
| “How stupid am I? I play cricket and have never even thought that I’m actually holding the skin of a dead animal when I touch the ball. Suppose at least I’ve got an excuse when I drop a catch though. Does anyone know if there’s a non-leather cricket ball that is available and suitable for “real” cricket matches?” |