0:00:02.542,0:00:05.242 Different peole go Vegan for different reasons 0:00:05.663,0:00:08.873 And there are hundreds of reasons for choosing to avoid animal products 0:00:09.505,0:00:13.305 But the simplest, most universal reason's because it's the right thing to do 0:00:13.926,0:00:17.276 It helps the animals, it helps the environment and it helps us 0:00:18.049,0:00:20.259 Some people ask this question aggressively 0:00:20.673,0:00:24.573 Because deep down they're scared of having to take responsibility for their actions 0:00:24.847,0:00:28.507 So they try to indimidate and disempower you with bitterness and sarcasm 0:00:29.167,0:00:31.607 It's common for Vegans to become defensive 0:00:31.695,0:00:36.015 And mutter an incoherent response in the attemp to change the subject and avoid awkwardness 0:00:36.125,0:00:38.565 But don't let others stop you from speaking the truth 0:00:38.979,0:00:42.563 All you're saying is that you don't want to have animal abuse as part of your lifestyle 0:00:42.563,0:00:45.153 in a society where that's still considered normal 0:00:45.153,0:00:47.193 It's their burden, not yours 0:00:47.870,0:00:51.060 Be fearless and proud of the fact that you're doing the right thing 0:00:53.876,0:00:56.186 Don't underestimate the person you're talking to 0:00:56.186,0:00:58.086 because anyone can change 0:00:58.142,0:01:00.802 And just understand that most Vegans were in this positions too 0:01:00.802,0:01:04.292 before someone explained to them that compassion is a better option 0:01:04.292,0:01:06.822 ”I mean I ate meat and dairy heavily over- 0:01:07.156,0:01:08.786 For over 20 years 0:01:09.242,0:01:11.152 I used to make fun of vegetarians”[br] 0:01:11.152,0:01:13.362 ”I started watching just videos- 0:01:13.362,0:01:16.312 I started like peeking at stuff that I didn't really wanna watch 0:01:16.312,0:01:18.082 I would bring um- 0:01:18.313,0:01:21.933 chicken sandwiches, how I might be eating 'em and my chickens would be at my feet 0:01:21.933,0:01:23.653 And I would start getting this- 0:01:24.058,0:01:25.458 breakdown in my- 0:01:26.046,0:01:28.126 in my awareness that I was eating 0:01:28.801,0:01:30.501 their cousing or their mother 0:01:30.510,0:01:32.630 That was right before I went Vegan” 0:01:35.632,0:01:38.162 Every Vegan should have a confident response to the question: 0:01:38.162,0:01:39.542 ”Why are you Vegan?” 0:01:39.915,0:01:43.955 Because in many cases when someone asks, it'll be the first time they've heard about Veganism 0:01:44.505,0:01:48.125 There's an immense pressure to find the right words that'll help them understand 0:01:48.161,0:01:51.991 And there's no perfect answer that works for every person in every situation 0:01:52.214,0:01:54.954 But here are some quotes and ideas that are worth learning: 0:01:56.536,0:02:00.536 ”We all say that we love animals and we're all against animal cruelty 0:02:01.173,0:02:04.683 But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals 0:02:05.168,0:02:07.038 And it's not for any neccessity 0:02:07.261,0:02:09.311 It's not because we need to for our health 0:02:09.742,0:02:12.032 It's just because we like the way they taste” 0:02:14.667,0:02:20.117 ”I'm Vegan for the female cows who are artificially inseminated then have their babies taken away to their death 0:02:20.206,0:02:23.956 I'm Vegan for the chickens who are debeaked then forced into small cages 0:02:24.107,0:02:28.857 I'm Vegan for the cows who are beaten because they're too sick to walk themselves to their own slaughter 0:02:29.177,0:02:32.267 I'm Vegan for the pigs who are slammed to pieces on the ground 0:02:32.359,0:02:35.819 I'm Vegan for the male chicks who are tossed into a grinder alive 0:02:36.083,0:02:38.853 I'm Vegan for the foxes who are skinned alive for fur 0:02:39.202,0:02:43.202 I'm Vegan for the orcas who are stolen from their families and forced to entertain 0:02:43.685,0:02:46.475 I'm Vegan for the bunnies who are tested on for makeup 0:02:46.572,0:02:50.572 I'm Vegan for the elephants in chains at the circus who are beaten to perform 0:02:51.032,0:02:52.502 But most importantly 0:02:52.524,0:02:55.644 I'm Vegan because I reject slavery, cruelty and murder” 0:02:57.010,0:03:00.150 ”We have the power to save over 1 100 gallons of water, 0:03:00.622,0:03:02.332 45 pounds of grain, 0:03:02.748,0:03:04.828 30 squarefeet of forested land, 0:03:05.187,0:03:06.757 20 pounds of Co2 0:03:07.553,0:03:09.083 and one animals life 0:03:09.636,0:03:11.066 Every single day” 0:03:12.958,0:03:18.158 ”A whole foods, plantbased diet can help prevent, treat and reverse 14 of our 15 leading causes of death 0:03:18.158,0:03:20.278 Including our top three killers” 0:03:20.498,0:03:24.288 ”If there was a way to be healthy while saving animals and helping protect the planet 0:03:24.814,0:03:26.374 why wouldn't you do it? 0:03:26.974,0:03:28.574 It's easy to be Vegan 0:03:29.020,0:03:30.910 We don't need to eat animals 0:03:31.059,0:03:34.219 We benefit in every conceivable way from not eating them 0:03:34.818,0:03:38.818 And the good news is that being Vegan doesn't mean you have to give up taste or your favourite foods 0:03:39.851,0:03:44.571 These days there exist amazing Vegan alternatives to every meat, every cheese and even eggs 0:03:45.017,0:03:48.367 And there are hundreds of recipes dor all kinds of great Vegan meals” 0:03:51.953,0:03:57.543 The more you talk to people, the more you can start to remember different kinds of responses that resonate with different kinds of people 0:03:57.622,0:04:02.112 James Aspey's response was one of the most sincere, inspiring ways of expressing why we're Vegan 0:04:03.187,0:04:07.187 If you're talking to someone with a strong sense of justice or someone who deeply loves animals, 0:04:07.608,0:04:11.468 explaining how the industries work can be very effective and spark conversation 0:04:13.636,0:04:15.086 For people who want to protect the planet, 0:04:15.086,0:04:20.276 give them facts from Cowspiracy about how animals agriculture is the leading cause of environmental destructuon 0:04:20.683,0:04:25.923 And for those who are health conscious, it's okay to tell the health benefits of eliminating unhealthy animal products 0:04:27.251,0:04:31.051 It's easier for people to understand the ethics once they've changed their dietary habits 0:04:31.212,0:04:33.672 Even if it is for somewhat selfish reasons 0:04:34.030,0:04:38.030 And sometimes leading by example is the best way to get people interested in the lifestyle 0:04:38.445,0:04:41.415 So showing them how easy it is and how tasty Vegan meals are, 0:04:41.525,0:04:43.735 they're more likely to understand your points 0:04:44.156,0:04:46.736 Never underestimate the power of stories 0:04:47.075,0:04:50.689 Using anecdotes from your life to show why you chose to change can stay with people 0:04:50.689,0:04:53.439 and help them relate their personal journies with yours 0:04:53.902,0:04:55.992 Many Vegans were once militant meat eaters 0:04:55.992,0:04:59.292 who mocked and ridiculed Vegans because they didn't understand 0:04:59.896,0:05:04.616 Powerful stories give us hope that anyone can turn their life around and choose compassion 0:05:05.220,0:05:07.370 ”The reason I took a vow of silence 0:05:07.881,0:05:11.721 was to raise awareness for the voiceless victims of this planet 0:05:12.157,0:05:12.737 The animals 0:05:12.737,0:05:13.907 The animals” 0:05:14.162,0:05:17.672 It doesn't always matter what you say when people ask you why you're Vegan 0:05:17.808,0:05:19.718 What matters is how you say it 0:05:20.107,0:05:22.617 Don't let fear stop you from speaking up 0:05:22.931,0:05:28.011 Use evey question as an opportunity to inspire compassion in those who are too scared to change 0:05:28.011,0:05:30.701 And don't be indimitated by sarcasm and ignorance 0:05:30.701,0:05:34.701 Speak with such passion and conviction that they can't help but listen to your voice 0:05:35.253,0:05:36.403 Don't back down 0:05:36.745,0:05:40.645 Speak the truth like you'd want it to be told if you were queuing up to be slaughtered 0:05:43.288,0:05:45.658 You might not always have the perfect words 0:05:45.989,0:05:49.959 But if you choose to say nothing, you'll have missed the opportunity to change someone's life 0:05:50.815,0:05:54.185 And you'll have missed the opportunity to speak up against injustice 0:06:13.616,0:06:15.726 ”We all say we love animals 0:06:16.074,0:06:16.704 and- 0:06:17.686,0:06:20.126 we all are against animal cruelty 0:06:20.522,0:06:25.672 But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals” 0:06:25.914,0:06:27.374 ”Killing is never humane, 0:06:27.374,0:06:29.274 it's never gentle, it's never kind” 0:06:29.532,0:06:31.462 ”And it's not for any neccessity 0:06:31.755,0:06:34.255 It's not because we need to for our health 0:06:34.325,0:06:36.735 It's just because we like the way they taste” 0:06:36.911,0:06:40.371 ”Now I wanna let y'all know that I was not raised Vegan 0:06:40.676,0:06:44.476 I ate meat, cheese, milk and eggs for around 25 years” 0:06:44.476,0:06:46.166 ”I remember saying to vegetarians 0:06:46.698,0:06:47.208 Um- 0:06:47.277,0:06:49.897 For any animal you don't eat, I eat three, will you eat one?” 0:06:49.937,0:06:51.517 ”Needless to say 0:06:51.597,0:06:53.687 I understand your lifestyle 0:06:54.085,0:06:55.475 It used to be mine 0:06:55.846,0:06:58.436 We all have different likes and dislikes 0:06:58.512,0:07:01.062 Different nationalities and religions too 0:07:01.234,0:07:04.304 But there's one thing that we need to have in common with each other 0:07:04.304,0:07:05.624 and that's peace 0:07:05.696,0:07:10.646 Genuine compassion and genuine peace for our planetary companions” 0:07:10.943,0:07:13.173 ”There's no valid argument for a westerner 0:07:13.333,0:07:17.063 in the world we live with an abundance of fruit and vegetables in every street corner 0:07:17.063,0:07:21.063 to ever pay someone to kill an animal in our behalf that we wouldn't wanna kill in the first place 0:07:21.063,0:07:22.213 when we don't need to”