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.

 

[g0rph]

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 wouldn't be angry. I would just explain. I was at a party recently and someone who knows I am vegan asked "You eat fish right?"
Some people, especially older people (here's me saying older, lol) just don't get it at all.

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?

If the shoes are necessary then yes, wearing them is the way to go. The only people who might even notice are other vegans. And the only people who might criticize are carnists on the warpath or holier than thou vegan police

I have a pair of leather shoes bought many years ago. If I ever need to go to a job interview then I'll wear them.

 

[the bluezy vegan]

Perhaps your Mom thought the shoes were vegan? Or maybe you and your Mom are not close and she doesn't realize that buying you leather shoes would not be right choices for you?

Some people think it is just what we eat that makes us vegan. They don't realize it is everything that we own that is vegan and cruelty free.

I have not eaten any meat since 1987 and then transitioned to veganism in 1997. EVERYONE knows what my lifestyle is and have never bought me anything that wasn't vegan. However, I have a friend that thought a particular purse she had was vegan and she gave it to me because of tht. I did some research and it is high-end leather bag. I sold it on Facebook Marketplace which is something that you could do or on Poshmark or some other website or possibly donate or put on consignment.

It is a delicate subject, but I would think that you could have asked your Mom to return them and exchange for a vegan pair.

Anyway, I know that is what I would have done.

Take care!!!