Wearing leather shoes

[Clo]

Hi everyone,
I haven’t bought leather since I turned vegan 12 years ago, but my mom just bought me new shoes as a gift and they’re made with leather. I feel very guilty wearing them but I don’t want to refuse her gift (it’s too late to return them and tbh I really needed new shoes). My question is : have you already experienced this kind of situation and if so did you actually use the gift ? How do you deal with the guilt of wearing something that led to animal abuse ?

 

[silva]

Your mom knew you were vegan and still bought you leather? I'd be more angry than upset, that's awfully disrespectful, and puts you in a very awkward position of what to do with the shoes. That's not a 'gift'--have you asked her why she did that?

I strongly feel that those with means should be held to higher accountability than those who struggle, and if those shoes are a need then I wouldn't fault you for wearing them. The real question I have is how to deal with your mother?

 

[Tom L.]

I'm sorry you were put in this position, Clo. After 12 years, I'm assuming almost everyone close to you knows what "vegan" means, but I might be wrong.

 

[allindogecoin]

Things like this have happened to me and all I do is just not use the product, so you can just keep the shoes but never wear them. What is done is done but maybe if you never wear the shoes, your mum will realise that it's not worth buying you leather shoes or any other animal product. If you wear the shoes, she may continue to buy you animal products.