Today, I saw this video of Alicia Silverstone (created by PETA) showing the horrors of the down industry. Yesterday, I flew first class on U.S. Airways (I snagged some miles that were set to expire from a family member) and the seats were leather, the airline forgot my vegan meal, and didn’t have any vegan options on board (the airline provided their first class passengers with a “food” option of either feminized animal protein-laden pasta or dead chicken carcass slathered in barbeque sauce).
Today, I’m thinking about those who wear fur, who eat foie gras, who buy “gourmet” meats to celebrate holidays or promotions. Everywhere I look, especially around the holiday season, I see ridiculous examples of the skewed ways some in our culture envision luxury.
Why is it that the most coveted things in our society are often those sourced from cruelty towards human or non-human animals?
Why has luxury become synonymous with cruelty in so many cases? When I think about the true meaning of luxury for me, it has nothing to do with exerting dominance over another creature or person.
My definition of luxury includes: getting to spend time with loved ones, feeling creatively inspired and having the time to act on this inspiration, getting to travel several weeks or months of the year, enjoying really special gourmet vegan meals at restaurants sometimes, having the freedom to choose my schedule, sleeping on an organic mattress, etc. Notice that my definition of luxury does include some material things: I would certainly survive and would be quite happy without gourmet vegan meals and designer vegan apparel, but since we’re talking about luxury and not “necessity,” this is my list. What my definition of luxury does not include is exploiting and killing innocent creatures for my personal benefit. It does not include eating “fine” chocolate sourced from child slavery. I call for a culture-wide re-examination of what we consider to be luxury–for the animals, for our fellow humans, and for the planet.
What does luxury mean to you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments . . .
Note: I realize that flying is terrible for the environment and while I can say that I’m trying to fly less these days, it’s still a big deal. Just because I’m vegan doesn’t make it innocuous.
queerveganfood.com 
Well said, Sarah, I could not agree more. Wearing fur doesn’t make you look rich or privileged; it makes you look silly. Eating a filet mignon doesn’t make you look sophisticated; it makes it look like you’ll get heart disease sometime in the near future.
Yes!
Your comment made me laugh out loud (thanks, Ali!)
“What my definition of luxury does not include is exploiting and killing innocent creatures for my personal benefit.” – YES!! Darlin, spending time with you is the GREATEST luxury – and necessity 😉 – for me!
aww I feel the same way! 😀
Hi Sarah! I thought you were great on Red Radio, and I’ve been enjoying reading through your blog. Wanted to say hello!
Luxury for me definitely includes lavish vegan meals at restaurants (especially Ethiopian, yum!), dark chocolate, fuzzy, over-sized socks, a pair of vegan high heels and snuggling in bed with my puppy. I’m ashamed to admit that not long ago, I did see things like caviar and foie gras and prime rib as luxuries, I guess because of how they’re portrayed in the media. It seems ludicrous and barbaric to assign the word “luxury” to them now.
Thanks, Michelle. I understand what you’re saying about feeling bad about past choices; I had leather bags, etc. before I knew better. I think it’s a process, and it’s great that you changed your mind and altered your actions.
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you, Sarah, for this enlightening post.
Luxury is not having to work full-time!