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Earlier this week, Gawker named Freelee, the Raw Fit Bitch, “the worst person on the Internet.” And while that is perhaps a little harsh (have you seen the abuse-apologists on this article?), this video that she posted is definitely on the most offensive end of the militant vegan spectrum.
Here’s the video, for your viewing pleasure. Yikes.
Sigh. There are a lot of kind, non-obtrusive, genuinely concerned-for-the-earth vegans out there…but you’d never know it, if all you ever saw of vegans was videos like this. I think this is why the vast majority of people still think that vegans are kale-swaddled, spelt-eating nutjobs. Which they’re not.
But here’s the thing–I agree that an unhealthy lifestyle does impact other people (because obesity-related illness is very expensive for taxpayers), and that the consumption of meat does negatively impact the environment (because it does), but the offensive and insensitive comments in this video are enough to negate anything even remotely positive that might be parsed from it. And, in doing so, offensive and insensitive enough to turn off anyone who was even close to being on the fence about whether or not vegans are truly insane. There are kinder, less fat-shaming, hurtful ways to explain that nutrition is important, that commercial meat growing practices aren’t sustainable, and that the way we eat impacts our health.
PETA is already doing its best to make vegetarians and vegans seem like crazy people (remember the OJ Simpson “Meat is Murder” museum they want to make? How about the vegan porn star boyfriend weirdness?), and it’s not doing the movement toward smarter, more sustainable eating any favors. When folks who eat meat see veganism as difficult, unattainable, and something that’s only adopted by those who somehow link obesity to 9/11 (ugh), they’re more likely to reject all healthy dietary suggestions, and instead, turn toward the extreme. Which isn’t helpful.
Freelee’s raw, vegan recipes and information could be helpful for those just looking to make a subtle change–maybe one or two vegan meals a week, or even just less dairy or meat–but after viewing this video, I have a feeling people will have a hard time taking any of her information seriously.
I absolutely LOVE her!!!
She speaks the truth and knows how to drive it home!
Hanna I do thoroughly enjoy reading your posts but do disagree with your perspective that she is out of line here.
Just my opinion though – no casualties and no love lost :)
I look forward to her future rants – they really get my circulation going…
She brings up a lot of great points in the video. Adopting a vegan diet is beneficial to the animals, the environment, and the people in this world.
I went vegan after watching this video: meatvideo.com
I agree with you Hannah. I think she’s totally right that everyone judges, and I totally think that you should speak up about issues that affect more than just yourself. She definitely would’ve been better off if she had planned out her ‘examples’ beforehand.
Also, I’m not a vegan.
Well yeah, maybe this is not the friendliest video, but the topic is so important and affects us all, the planet we live on, all the animals and plants and other humans, so I admire her for her courage. She has also a lot of other videos which help you with self esteem, which is some of the main problem areas today in people with eating disorders.
And I think a lot of people benefit from her videos, I read for example this morning in her forum:
“Thank you so much Freelee for existing. My life would not be the same without you.”
I’m also a long time vegan and I have to admit, this video is really annoying. I could only watch 2 or 3 minutes before I had to stop it. She makes a couple good points but she’s goes too far with some of them, and the 911 reference is just silly.
She’s clearly passionate about what she believes in, but she’s a little too angry and condescending to be an effective advocate and help people make the change to a more compassionate lifestyle. That’s the problem with the internet, anyone can post anything they want, no matter how angry or offensive they are to others.
There’s a right way and wrong way to educate people about veganism. I think this young lady is doing the latter.
Completely agree! We need confrontational vegans, just as we need environmentalist vegans or any other kind of vegan. The fact of the matter is that no matter how your meat was raised, it has a FAR higher ecological and water footprint than vegetables or fruit! We do all share this planet and need to accept responsibility for our actions. It’s not okay to eat meat. I usually go for a more moderate approach – but I think Freelee lives and walks what she talks. Put herself in her shoes – do you think it’s easy to do what she does? To be so violently opposed? We need activists, who else is going to change the world?
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
—Elie Wiesel, writer and Nobel laureate (1928–)
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
—Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788–1860)
She’s amazing! What makes this video so moving is that everything she says is basic fact. She is a wonderful advocate for veganism, and for protecting our environment and society.
We need more passionate people like her, who base their argument on knowledge, not on conjecture. And as for you, Hanna, stop expecting one person to represent an entire group to the haters. Take responsibility – if you want to know about something, go out and learn about it. Anything else is a fast track to a closed mind.
I think it all kinds of awesome. Yes, it’s harsh, but her points are true- it is all our business, and we all need to make more of an effort to see it that way.
If she doesn’t want people to judge her, she shouldn’t judge them. And it’s true, we are human, we judge, many people make a very conscious effort not to, and this is insulting to them. And no matter how many facts she knows, one’s PERSONAL CHOICES about their diet are just that–personal choices. And they are never “her business”. Also, the tax remark. That is part of what taxes are for. There will always be people who don’t make the smartest decisions, but if she cares so much about life (animal, plant, or human) she surely will want a sick person to get treatment. I’m just saying, I do believe “to each his/her own” because that’s the whole point of personal freedom.
Also, a healthy lifestyle can include meat, and meat can be raised in a way that is not as appalling ethically as factory farms are. She has great points about how a vegan lifestyle is excellent for the planet, but the way she presents them is not going to get her anywhere. If vegans really want to change things, they need to figure out a way to stop offending people like this and concentrate on the things that will help people view veganism in a positive light.
Also, the 9/11 comment was uncalled for.
Audrey, I’ve been vegan (not just a diet but a lifestyle) for 12 years. Having said that, I agree that the 911 comment was not called for. The girl in the video is offensive and should show better respect for others, even if she doesn’t agree wit their actions.
Now having said that, I respectfully disagree with your “personal choices” statement and this is why. Personal freedom doesn’t give us the right to harm others. If an adult male likes to have sex with young boys, should we respect his personal choice?
If someone enjoys walking around kicking dogs in the head with steel-toe work boots, should we look the other way and say, “Oh well, to each his own,”?
So why is it okay to allow, encourage and support the suffering and slaughter of 53 billion animals a year (not including sea life) simply because we like the taste of their flesh?
I think we have to draw the line when someone’s “personal choices” harms others. To cause unnecessary suffering, violence and death to other sentient beings (human or non-human) is cruel.
If we don’t have to hurt others, why do it? That’s why I went vegan. :)
As a long-time vegan, I gotta say I love this video.
Count me as one that can’t stand her videos. It doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are on a topic…delivery is important as well. She and her friend Durianrider put alot of people off with their egos and behavior instead of delivering the information in such a way that you can actually get people to listen and RECEIVE what you have to say. The way they represent themselves is a turnoff to me and many others I know that have seen them. It’s unfortunate really.
Word.
I absolutely LOVE the video. Freelee has extensively researched the topic before taping this video (I wished my students did such a great job when researching their papers). Every word she says is true; and …. if that truth offends you, then there is something wrong with you and not her. I find especially the last part of the video very important, because it is true that the e-coli outbreaks that have contaminated the veggies we eat were caused by the fecal runoff from factory farms.
Why should we always sugarcoat things and tip toe around meat eaters? I don’t see them tip toeing around me, especially during meals. BTW, there are plenty non-offensive vegans out there who bend over backwards to keep the conservation going. Maybe, before criticizing Freelee and PETA, you need to realize that it takes all kinds of vegans to change this world. Some nice and accommodating vegans, and some in-your-face vegans. Each of us has something to add and a role to play; and no, not all of us have to do it your way or gain your approval.
In summary, there is plenty of room–and even a need–for vegans who point out that it is THEIR business if you eat meat. First, the vegans are fighting for the animals’ lives. Second, they are fighting for the security of OUR food supply. Does that make them nut cases? Not in my view. They are brave people doing the right thing, even though they are ostracized by carnists.
Loooooove Freelee & 30BAD forums!
That video rocks by the way – ALL TRUE!
However vegans (even vegetarians), I am afraid, will alway be considered odd, weird or as the article puts it – nutjobs…Which, to me, is still preferable than being a meat eater going unconsciously through life and leaving the planet in a much worse state then you got here due to your daily choices.