The Vegan Controversy
It has come to our attention here at AuroraSilk that there is some controversy over the word “vegan”. There is a society in the United Kingdom that claims rights to the word, and claims to define the word. According to their definition which is, “someone seeking a lifestyle free from animal products for the benefit of people, animals, and the environment”.
According to these people, we are not supposed to have pets, use fertilizers, or eat anything that has been fertilized. We decided that it is best to let you, the consumer, decide for yourself. We promote our silks as “vegan” friendly because our Peace Silks are a waste product. After the worm and moth have finished their life cycle, they leave behind cocoons that fall to the ground and rot right along with the moth carcasses. We collect these cocoons and make a friendly, both environmentally and morally, fabric to use in our daily lives. This fabric is pure, clean, and karmically free of harm.
Below are our correspondences, if you would like to add to this, email here paypal1@aurorsilk.com.
May 5th, 2007
Hello,
It has come to my attention that you are listing silk products on your website as "Vegan", "Peace Silks".
The Vegan Society defines a Vegan as, quote- "someone seeking a lifestyle free from animal products for the benefit of people, animals and the environment."
Regardless of whether the silkworms are hurt in the production of this so-called "Peace Silk", it is inaccurate and misleading to label an animal product derivative Vegan.
A typical Vegan would recognize the error of your advertising and skim over the label, but my concern is for a consumer perhaps twice removed, who would unknowingly participate in animal industry. The personal removal of which is a main premise of Veganism.
Please understand my issue with this.
Regards,
Claudia
May 8th, 2007
Hi Claudia,
We make sure that what we collect is waste. We collect these cocoons in the same way cow manure, chicken manure, and horse manure is collected. These cocoons are the leavings of the silk worms/moths and absolutely no harm has come to any stage of the animal. We have many "vegans" order this from us because they see it as no worse than using manure on their lawns.
We are not pushing our beliefs on anybody, and simply offer this as an alternative to killing the moths and/or worms. There are no silks that come from anything but silkworms. We assume that consumers realize this before purchasing silks. Again, this is no worse than using manure on lawns, and if you decide not to use manure as fertilizer then more power to you, but we offer this as an alternative to killing and maiming little silkworms/moths as well as staying away from any and all chemicals.
Thank you,
Tabitha williams
Aurorasilk
May 9th, 2007
Hello,
I believe my daughter in-law, Tabitha, has answered you on this. I strongly suggest you look to people and businesses that are doing harm to the planet, and not rant at those of us who are doing good for the planet.
Vegan friendly silk is my passion. It is my life work. If you wish to define vegan to exclude pets and love shared with animals, that is fine. I do not. My website was designed by a vegan and she is the one who was so thrilled to be able to present my peace silk as a vegan friendly product.
The peace silk eggs I send out to schoolchildren all over the country are for the value of teaching children love and compassion for all living creatures. It is an effective teaching tool. They fall in love and no one needs lecture them about the value of compassion, they feel it instinctively.
From you I feel indignation and anger. That is fine, please direct it to those who need it. For instance, the bamboo fabric (so called) industry that is cutting down the Panda forests: those people who in error believe bamboo fabric is animal friendly. Educate them.
Most sincerely,
Cheryl Kolander
Master Natural Dyer
Aurorasilk
May 10th, 2007
On this date we received an email from someone in the “Vegan Society” stating that no matter our argument, we were wrong. No matter how the silk is processed or handled, we are wrong and the “Vegan Society” is the only authority on the word and they define the word.
Because they “invented” the word “vegan” we must change all our labeling to make them happy.
This person chose to keep their name and email from you so we cannot write their name or statement here for you to read.
May 11th, 2007
Hi [Member of the Vegan Society],
As I said to the person who probably told you about us, this silk product is a waste. We collect it in the same manner that one collects dung for fertilizer. These silkworms are Cheryls pets she would never harm them, and only collects what they leave as waste. If we did not collect these cocoons, they would rot. Yes, they would give nutrients to the tree, but the dead silkmoths and silkworm poop would give plenty more nutrients.
If the "Vegan Society" believes that fertalizer and pets are wrong, then you should inform the public. There are many other industries that destroy habitats of animals, such as the bamboo industry. This "alternative" to conventional fabrics is tearing down panda habitats and creating devastation in many parts of the world. We collect waste. We do not tear down habitats, we do not kill animals, we simply collect what they leave behind.
We have vegans and vegetarians who believe that what we sell as Vegan Peace Silk is alright because it is no worse than fertilizers. If you would like to inform the whole world go ahead and do it, but what we sell is approved by the vegans and vegetarians that we know and deal with. If it is wrong to collect waste, and wrong to keep pets, then so be it in your mindset, but most vegans do not believe that waste is a bad thing to collect.
Thank you,
Tabitha Williams
Aurorasilk Team
May 13th, 2007
In response to my email on May 11th, 2007. This person again states that no matter what silk is not vegan. They neglect to realize that I asked about their idea on fertilizer.
They state that we are blurring the lines of definition and according to our definition because free-range eggs are “cruelty free” then some people, according to our definition, could call them “vegan” eggs. And again, they state that silk is an animal product and cannot be used by vegans and we must amend our site because they say so.
Personally I don’t see the reference to eggs since those are embryotic chickens and silk is waste, but this is their standpoint.
May 14th, 2007
Hello,
This is Cheryl Kolander, the creator of Aurora Silk and the person who has been promoting my hand raised Peace silk for vegetarians of conscience since 1985, when I presented the concept publically in an article in FiberArts magazine.
Usually silk is raised for its filament. In that case the transforming worm is killed. Perhaps you are simply not familiar with the concept of Peace silk? Please read the writings on my website about this quality of fibre. If you need more information, please ask.
I do not wish to be your target. Please target people who are greedy, lying mean and selfish polluters. I am a Quaker-Buddhist and have always conducted my life and my business in ultra ethical ways. I am shocked and dismayed that you would choose to target me, when I simply offer an alternative to other's bad practices.
Here is a picture of my dear pets. I send silkworm eggs all over the country for school children to raise. It teaches them compassion for all living creatures. None of us kills the animal! We feed and tend them with love. This is a whole other form of silk, not at all like the industrial.
When my new website is up I wish to include the discussions I have been having with you and several others who seem to like to attack the idea that silk could be ethical and a possible choice for those who question.
As for you having a claim to all things vegan, I'm sorry. I don't agree. Please understand that part of living in a free society is choice. Education is good. Meanness and attacking people who are actually part of the solution will only hurt your karma. If you wish to do some good for the planet, please write to those who are defrauding the public with such false labels as "bamboo fibre that is animal friendly" or "low impact dyes" that are the same old same old poisons (and these especially poison wildlife). Etc. There is no end to the awfulness perpetrated on the planet. I am your friend and ally. Please read the wonderful free information that I give out on my website, and before you write me another mean attack, please consider using your righteous anger in a more effective manner.
Attached is a picture of my pets. They are almost ready to spin. They are darling and I love them, and selfless love is never wrong.
Sincerely, Cheryl Kolander - N'ga Wang Lamo
June 6, 2007
Hi,
I, too, am raising "peace silk" for my own use. I'm a vegetarian, but not a vegan. I can see the vegan point-of-view of referring to this cruelty-free silk as "vegan," though. Maybe it's a matter of semantics, but maybe a better name would be simply (and descriptively) "silkworm-friendly silk" or "cruelty-free silk." I like "peace silk," too, and often use this when talking about my little hobby. Just out of curiosity, I googled "vegan silk" and many of the hits were for faux silk fibers.
Teri
June 10, 2007
Hi Teri, We now label everything as "Peace Silk" since these people decided they liked to harrass us about the issue. We never had problems, and a lot of people considered it okay but apparently some people don't. And yes, all the "vegan" "silks" are indeed yucky chemical fabrics that nobody should be wearing, let alone calling silk. I would understand if it was "silken" but silk is a misrepresentation and I would like to publish your statement if you would like.
Thank you,
Tabitha Williams
Aurorasilk
June 11, 2007
Yes, you can post my comments. Sorry you've been harrassed. It's silly what people get hyper about. Keep up the good work! I'm glad somebody out there is offering an alternative... the silk industry is rife with cruelty, not only to silkworms but to the human that have to process it (there are stories of adult slaves and child laborers in this industry). I hope you don't mind my using "peace silk" when I'm talking about my own cruelty-free silk.
Teri
June 11, 2007
Hi Teri, Of course we don't mind you using the word "Peace Silk". The silk industry is indeed very corrupt and now many of the chinese people are adding things to the spinning process (like synthetic estrogen) so people feel good wearing the garments. We work very hard to make sure none of this goes on with our products, it's the reason Cheryl is in India right now. Thanks for letting us use your statements, they should show up within the next couple of days.
Thank you,
Tabitha Williams
Aurorasilk
Privacy & Return Policies | Shipping & Handling | International Orders | Wholesale Orders
©1998-2007 Aurora Silk
Site by Rareheron Web Design. Portland, Oregon
Hosted at Acorn Host
