Different peole go Vegan for different reasons
And there are hundreds of reasons for choosing to avoid animal products
But the simplest, most universal reason's because it's the right thing to do
It helps the animals, it helps the environment and it helps us
Some people ask this question aggressively
Because deep down they're scared of having to take responsibility for their actions
So they try to indimidate and disempower you with bitterness and sarcasm
It's common for Vegans to become defensive
And mutter an incoherent response in the attemp to change the subject and avoid awkwardness
But don't let others stop you from speaking the truth
All you're saying is that you don't want to have animal abuse as part of your lifestyle
in a society where that's still considered normal
It's their burden, not yours
Be fearless and proud of the fact that you're doing the right thing
Don't underestimate the person you're talking to
because anyone can change
And just understand that most Vegans were in this positions too
before someone explained to them that compassion is a better option
”I mean I ate meat and dairy heavily over-
For over 20 years
I used to make fun of vegetarians”
”I started watching just videos-
I started like peeking at stuff that I didn't really wanna watch
I would bring um-
chicken sandwiches, how I might be eating 'em and my chickens would be at my feet
And I would start getting this-
breakdown in my-
in my awareness that I was eating
their cousing or their mother
That was right before I went Vegan”
Every Vegan should have a confident response to the question:
”Why are you Vegan?”
Because in many cases when someone asks, it'll be the first time they've heard about Veganism
There's an immense pressure to find the right words that'll help them understand
And there's no perfect answer that works for every person in every situation
But here are some quotes and ideas that are worth learning:
”We all say that we love animals and we're all against animal cruelty
But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals
And it's not for any neccessity
It's not because we need to for our health
It's just because we like the way they taste”
”I'm Vegan for the female cows who are artificially inseminated then have their babies taken away to their death
I'm Vegan for the chickens who are debeaked then forced into small cages
I'm Vegan for the cows who are beaten because they're too sick to walk themselves to their own slaughter
I'm Vegan for the pigs who are slammed to pieces on the ground
I'm Vegan for the male chicks who are tossed into a grinder alive
I'm Vegan for the foxes who are skinned alive for fur
I'm Vegan for the orcas who are stolen from their families and forced to entertain
I'm Vegan for the bunnies who are tested on for makeup
I'm Vegan for the elephants in chains at the circus who are beaten to perform
But most importantly
I'm Vegan because I reject slavery, cruelty and murder”
”We have the power to save over 1 100 gallons of water,
45 pounds of grain,
30 squarefeet of forested land,
20 pounds of Co2
and one animals life
Every single day”
”A whole foods, plantbased diet can help prevent, treat and reverse 14 of our 15 leading causes of death
Including our top three killers”
”If there was a way to be healthy while saving animals and helping protect the planet
why wouldn't you do it?
It's easy to be Vegan
We don't need to eat animals
We benefit in every conceivable way from not eating them
And the good news is that being Vegan doesn't mean you have to give up taste or your favourite foods
These days there exist amazing Vegan alternatives to every meat, every cheese and even eggs
And there are hundreds of recipes dor all kinds of great Vegan meals”
The more you talk to people, the more you can start to remember different kinds of responses that resonate with different kinds of people
James Aspey's response was one of the most sincere, inspiring ways of expressing why we're Vegan
If you're talking to someone with a strong sense of justice or someone who deeply loves animals,
explaining how the industries work can be very effective and spark conversation
For people who want to protect the planet,
give them facts from Cowspiracy about how animals agriculture is the leading cause of environmental destructuon
And for those who are health conscious, it's okay to tell the health benefits of eliminating unhealthy animal products
It's easier for people to understand the ethics once they've changed their dietary habits
Even if it is for somewhat selfish reasons
And sometimes leading by example is the best way to get people interested in the lifestyle
So showing them how easy it is and how tasty Vegan meals are,
they're more likely to understand your points
Never underestimate the power of stories
Using anecdotes from your life to show why you chose to change can stay with people
and help them relate their personal journies with yours
Many Vegans were once militant meat eaters
who mocked and ridiculed Vegans because they didn't understand
Powerful stories give us hope that anyone can turn their life around and choose compassion
”The reason I took a vow of silence
was to raise awareness for the voiceless victims of this planet
The animals
The animals”
It doesn't always matter what you say when people ask you why you're Vegan
What matters is how you say it
Don't let fear stop you from speaking up
Use evey question as an opportunity to inspire compassion in those who are too scared to change
And don't be indimitated by sarcasm and ignorance
Speak with such passion and conviction that they can't help but listen to your voice
Don't back down
Speak the truth like you'd want it to be told if you were queuing up to be slaughtered
You might not always have the perfect words
But if you choose to say nothing, you'll have missed the opportunity to change someone's life
And you'll have missed the opportunity to speak up against injustice
”We all say we love animals
and-
we all are against animal cruelty
But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals”
”Killing is never humane,
it's never gentle, it's never kind”
”And it's not for any neccessity
It's not because we need to for our health
It's just because we like the way they taste”
”Now I wanna let y'all know that I was not raised Vegan
I ate meat, cheese, milk and eggs for around 25 years”
”I remember saying to vegetarians
Um-
For any animal you don't eat, I eat three, will you eat one?”
”Needless to say
I understand your lifestyle
It used to be mine
We all have different likes and dislikes
Different nationalities and religions too
But there's one thing that we need to have in common with each other
and that's peace
Genuine compassion and genuine peace for our planetary companions”
”There's no valid argument for a westerner
in the world we live with an abundance of fruit and vegetables in every street corner
to ever pay someone to kill an animal in our behalf that we wouldn't wanna kill in the first place
when we don't need to”