Watch Out Poor People: Moby Is Coming For Your Bologna
Longtime vegan (since 1987 per his Instagram bio) Moby’s picked the hill he wants to die on: He doesn’t think poor people should to be able to buy Doritos. That’s basically what he said in an op-ed that ran in today’s Wall Street Journal about the federal SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aka food stamps).
Moby’s opinion is that the SNAP program should be be protected but changes are needed. He believes that the types of foods available should be restricted to “cheap, healthy foods like beans, vegetables, fruit and whole grains”. So, kombucha is OK, milk is BAD, got it.
Moby didn’t get nominated for 6 Grammys (as noted in his WSJ bio) without learning a thing or two about the health risks faced by SNAP recipients when they are allowed to buy and consume whatever they want. Moby says:
Even though SNAP is generally well-intentioned, what it puts on shelves is not always helpful or healthy. SNAP rules allow stores to distribute candy, soda, cheese products, energy drinks, processed meats and lots of other items that end up seriously compromising the health of SNAP recipients.
As a vegan, I’m guessing it’s been many moons since Moby’s enjoyed the particular pleasure of eating a fried bologna sandwich. But it’s every American’s birthright to do so and to deny that is to deny America herself. To be fair, Moby says his family used food stamps when he was growing up, so he is not coming at this completely sideways. He does however imply that his mom was better and smarter than those other dumb poor moms.
The food industry pushes the notion that poor people demand junk food and will complain if SNAP cuts them off. In reality, parents like my mother take pride in doing the best they can for their families. Being poor can involve shame, as well as a commensurate longing for pride. Nothing delivers a greater sense of pride than helping your children succeed and doing your best to see that they grow up healthy
Moby’s major gripe seems to actually be against “large industrial food producers” who “love a program that obliges the government to pay for anything and everything they produce”. I’m not really sure Moby cares that much about the American cheese consuming public. He’s probably more concerned with crimes against pre-bologna.
Why does the pig have people hands? Only Moby knows.
Pic: Wenn.com