Do it! And nobody gets hurt...
Really, veganism is just as much about focusing on whole, fresh, seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, seeds, and legumes as it is foregoing animal products. To me, the important point is to develop a lifestyle of self-ownership - that means feeling the responsibility of our choices and understanding their impact on the world. Our food choices have far-reaching impacts whether or not we choose to acknowledge them. If we do not take ownership of our own chosen actions, we tacitly give our energy and resources to those who are willing to exploit our dependence for a buck. And when people are primarily concerned with making a buck, they often provide the lowest-cost commodity by lowering the potential quality and externalizing production costs, causing environmental, social, and political problems like pollution, low-paying jobs, and misdirected government subsidies. When that commodity is food, you sacrifice nourishment (aka your life) for convenience of habit.
Self-ownership can begin with diet, and luckily we have 3 chances a day to practice. Go to a farmers' market. Pick up a knife. Cooking is a skill that anyone can learn; just like any skill, you learn by doing it and you get better with practice. Not everyone should be vegetarian or vegan. If you feel a sense of connection by reverently killing an animal and then eating him or her, then that is your path. But take ownership! Get to know what you are putting in your body; engage your food at its source. The best way to do that is to grow it yourself. And when you can't do that, buy it from a farmer you know and cook it yourself. While veganism is not for everyone, I will say this is true: we all could benefit from eating more fresh, whole, seasonal fruits and vegetables every day. (And if that even partly vegan, then go vegan!)
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