Interview Questions with Marisa Eastman-Community Vegetarian
Overview of Marisa: Marisa Eastman, now 51 years old, has lived in Castleford all her life. She has been a Spanish, Band, Drama, and Music Appreciation teacher at various schools in the Magic Valley. She is now working a part-time job as a psychologist. She is married to Glenn Eastman and has two daughters; Lisa and Katie Eastman.
1. How long have you been a vegetarian? Since 1994; 15 years
2. Why are you a vegetarian? Because I don't believe that animal's purpose is to feed man. I think we began as plant-eaters in evolution. Animal products are full of fat, hormones, and dangerous unknown ingredients. We don't need meat for protein.
3. Is it hard living in this area as a vegetarian? Yes; there are no vegetarian restaraunts, and when you go out to eat there are few choices. There are only a couple places to buy vegetarian groceries, and it's expensive. People in this area don't understand vegetarianism.
4. Has someone ever offended you about your diet? While teaching at Castleford, I was harassed by a parent who thought I was preaching vegetarianism to all the kids in my band class.
5. What are your feelings on the way cattle are raised? It's cruel and it's a major source of pollution. It's changed the entire way of life in this area because of the smell, increased light pollution, and increased truck traffic. Animals aren't meant to be raised the way they are.
6. What do you think of PETA? I think it's great. We need an organization like that to bring to people's attention animal cruelty in our society.
7. How do you get your protein? I eat lots of soy products and nuts.
8. What do you think non-vegetarians think of you? That I'm dumb. Most people don't understand why I'm vegetarian.
9. What is the worst experience you have ever experienced as a vegetarian? I was on a trip in Paris. I was ordering what I thought was vegetarian, and instead, I was served what I'm pretty sure was horse meat and it made me violently ill for three days. That is definetely the worst part about being vegetarian: eating out.
10. What is your favorite food? A traditional vegetarian Thanksgiving meal: Tofurky, mushroom gravy, and vegetarian stuffing.
This interview was completed and posted by Katie Eastman
Wow, good interview Katie! Your mom has provided you with some pertinent information that will be interesting to compare/contrast with your other interviewees, specifically Mrs. Brackett.
ReplyDeleteGood work!
-elly
I think that you did a great job in this interview. I think that it (along with the experiment) has really open this old "cow"-boy's eyes to the opposing side of my lifestyle. I have a question or two for you and your mom though; if you want to answer it. How long were you not a vegetarian, before you became one (what was it like growing up in that kind of family setting)? How long did it take you to get use to the taste of the vegetarian foods, such as soy, tofurky, and other varities of food? (You can use these in other interviews also) I was just curious because, facing facts is that it is taking me longer then three weeks, haha =)!
ReplyDeleteMichael Wiseman (just in case you couldn't guess)
Oh almost forgot another question that jumped at me while reading. It refers to the PETA answer. Do you think that it is truely right for the PETA organization to tell other people what to do with their property or their pets, just because they don't treat them as equal to humans? I only ask this for two reasons. First, I know that down at the California State Fair (from people that I regard as friends; and that spend over a millionn dollars each year to ensure a comfortable life for their cattle) that PETA and have them arrested for wash/blowing the dirt off their pets or for even giving them a certain type of hay. And secondly, I know that I raise cattle for a ultimate market, but at the same time I feel that if I ever died and was reincarnated, that I would want to be one of our pampered heifers, for get heated baths in winter, and fans (AC; kind =)) in the summer. So like before you can answer or use if you want too, I was just curious about these issues that both our side face everyday in life. Bye Bye!!!
ReplyDeleteMichael Wiseman