Frustrated Vegan
By far the most oppressed members of our society, we often forget animals are here alongside us, not for us. Since 2013, I have been advocating a vegan lifestyle and have helped many people regain touch with their “vegan side”.
Like humans, all animals wish to live their lives safe and unharmed. The majority of people are already against animal abuse in one form or another. Whether it be keeping animals in confinement or inhumane conditions, trophy hunting, bull fighting, animal testing, seal clubbing, wearing fur, fox hunting, whaling, mindless attacks on wildlife, kicking cats or dogs etc.
My question to people who are not yet vegan is: as sentient living beings, do all animals deserve the same respect as each other? Or do some deserve safety and care whilst others deserve persecution for merely existing as the wrong animal?
Then ask yourself the same question about humans!
If you’re against animal abuse in any form, why are you only against it when it comes to certain animals? Between humans, we’d call that discrimination. Between animals, it is species-ism.
And that’s where the frustration comes from!
What is veganism?
“Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.” The Vegan Society
Misinformation has been spread through the media to stigmatise veganism as something it’s not, therefore diluting the message and making it seem inconsistent. This has left a lot of people confused and under the impression that going vegan is ‘expensive’, ‘inconvenient’, or ‘radical’. It’s hard to pin down where this notion comes from, but it’s certainly not the experience of any vegan I’ve ever met. Learn more about How the media controls your perception of veganism.
Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle is for the animals. As we move over to a vegan lifestyle we then begin to understand the positive impact on our health and the environment, but we must always remember first and foremost that veganism = animals.
To go vegan isn’t just to change your diet. It’s to understand and accept that we as individuals all matter just as much (or as little, depending on how you look at it) as each other. It’s to realise that it isn’t about you, it’s about taking a position against animal cruelty. The definition of veganism doesn’t allow us to oppress, segregate or bully our fellow earthlings, animal or human. Through this, a peaceful and equal socio-economic system can be achieved.
Reality Check
Over 6.3 billion animals and fish are killed each year in the UK alone.
That’s nearly 100 times our population! (66.65 million as of 2019). You can track the numbers for this year live. See also the factory farm map to see just how many animals are factory farmed in your area.
Each individual can and does make a difference. We are not insignificant. We have so much power, and a lot of that comes from the money we spend. If everyone stopped buying animal products tomorrow, these industries would have to find something else to sell. Please don’t be the demand for an animal’s life! You have the power to bring about change, use it for good!
A little less bleak though, the I’m Vegan app will help give you an idea of how many animals you’re sparing by going vegan.
