In the last couple of years before leaving Iran, I had a poster designed to encourage people to stop buying goldfish for the Persian New Year (first day of spring~ March 20th). Goldfish and the color red are supposed to be a symbol of kindness, victory, and livelihood. Ironically, this tradition results in the death of ~ 5 million goldfish every year.

I asked my graphic designer friends to depict the irony of imprisoning and killing animals for the celebration of kindness, hope, rejuvenation, freedom, and life!

The poster shows how these poor animals are the victim of our traditions and beliefs (which are all in our head). It shows the cognitive dissonance that our society is suffering from. Very similar to Thanksgiving in fact.

One year a vegetarian friend said, “Faraz, why should I help you with the poster? You say you care about these animals, yet you eat them!”. I was like ouch! It hurt my feelings that my friend was so… direct!
Ironically, we always had fish for the New Year’s dinner! Somehow it never occured to me how hypocritical of me it was to save goldfish, and eat other animals!

I remember thinking about going vegetarian after my friend said that. In the 3 months that took me to go vegetarian, I thought to myself I love bacon, bratwurst, and steak way too much! I thought it’s only a moment of bad experience for the animals in slaughterhouses. I couldn’t be me more wrong and selfish. I remember saying sorry animals, I just can’t! It’s too hard not to eat meat, and it’s so yummy!

If you’ve known me from college you know my values and they haven’t changed. I’m just no longer a hypocrite in the way that I used to be. I expanded the compassion I always had for animals beyond cats, dogs, and goldfish! I’m not perfect, but I’m a better version of myself. I’m no longer a speciesist!

I can see how much you value (some) animals. I know some of you would spend thousands of dollars to make your pet feel better! I wish I had a friend who came to me and said, “Faraz, your actions are directly contrary to the values you say you have. Here! Watch how these animals suffer and die for you to enjoy a piece of food for a minute, how in the world can you justify this?”.

Not going vegan earlier is the biggest regret of my life, and going vegan is the most impactful and educated decision of my life.

Now my friends, tell me how I can help you to make better choices that are aligned with your values. What are you waiting for? You know the true cost of your dietary choices: the lives and well-being of the individuals you eat.

What are you gonna do about it?

https://www.facebook.com/faraz.harsini/posts/4869939299739451