1 00:00:02,542 --> 00:00:05,242 Different peole go Vegan for different reasons 2 00:00:05,663 --> 00:00:08,873 And there are hundreds of reasons for choosing to avoid animal products 3 00:00:09,505 --> 00:00:13,305 But the simplest, most universal reason's because it's the right thing to do 4 00:00:13,926 --> 00:00:17,276 It helps the animals, it helps the environment and it helps us 5 00:00:18,049 --> 00:00:20,259 Some people ask this question aggressively 6 00:00:20,673 --> 00:00:24,573 Because deep down they're scared of having to take responsibility for their actions 7 00:00:24,847 --> 00:00:28,507 So they try to indimidate and disempower you with bitterness and sarcasm 8 00:00:29,167 --> 00:00:31,607 It's common for Vegans to become defensive 9 00:00:31,695 --> 00:00:36,015 And mutter an incoherent response in the attemp to change the subject and avoid awkwardness 10 00:00:36,125 --> 00:00:38,565 But don't let others stop you from speaking the truth 11 00:00:38,979 --> 00:00:42,563 All you're saying is that you don't want to have animal abuse as part of your lifestyle 12 00:00:42,563 --> 00:00:45,153 in a society where that's still considered normal 13 00:00:45,153 --> 00:00:47,193 It's their burden, not yours 14 00:00:47,870 --> 00:00:51,060 Be fearless and proud of the fact that you're doing the right thing 15 00:00:53,876 --> 00:00:56,186 Don't underestimate the person you're talking to 16 00:00:56,186 --> 00:00:58,086 because anyone can change 17 00:00:58,142 --> 00:01:00,802 And just understand that most Vegans were in this positions too 18 00:01:00,802 --> 00:01:04,292 before someone explained to them that compassion is a better option 19 00:01:04,292 --> 00:01:06,822 ”I mean I ate meat and dairy heavily over- 20 00:01:07,156 --> 00:01:08,786 For over 20 years 21 00:01:09,242 --> 00:01:11,152 I used to make fun of vegetarians” 22 00:01:11,152 --> 00:01:13,362 ”I started watching just videos- 23 00:01:13,362 --> 00:01:16,312 I started like peeking at stuff that I didn't really wanna watch 24 00:01:16,312 --> 00:01:18,082 I would bring um- 25 00:01:18,313 --> 00:01:21,933 chicken sandwiches, how I might be eating 'em and my chickens would be at my feet 26 00:01:21,933 --> 00:01:23,653 And I would start getting this- 27 00:01:24,058 --> 00:01:25,458 breakdown in my- 28 00:01:26,046 --> 00:01:28,126 in my awareness that I was eating 29 00:01:28,801 --> 00:01:30,501 their cousing or their mother 30 00:01:30,510 --> 00:01:32,630 That was right before I went Vegan” 31 00:01:35,632 --> 00:01:38,162 Every Vegan should have a confident response to the question: 32 00:01:38,162 --> 00:01:39,542 ”Why are you Vegan?” 33 00:01:39,915 --> 00:01:43,955 Because in many cases when someone asks, it'll be the first time they've heard about Veganism 34 00:01:44,505 --> 00:01:48,125 There's an immense pressure to find the right words that'll help them understand 35 00:01:48,161 --> 00:01:51,991 And there's no perfect answer that works for every person in every situation 36 00:01:52,214 --> 00:01:54,954 But here are some quotes and ideas that are worth learning: 37 00:01:56,536 --> 00:02:00,536 ”We all say that we love animals and we're all against animal cruelty 38 00:02:01,173 --> 00:02:04,683 But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals 39 00:02:05,168 --> 00:02:07,038 And it's not for any neccessity 40 00:02:07,261 --> 00:02:09,311 It's not because we need to for our health 41 00:02:09,742 --> 00:02:12,032 It's just because we like the way they taste” 42 00:02:14,667 --> 00:02:20,117 ”I'm Vegan for the female cows who are artificially inseminated then have their babies taken away to their death 43 00:02:20,206 --> 00:02:23,956 I'm Vegan for the chickens who are debeaked then forced into small cages 44 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:28,857 I'm Vegan for the cows who are beaten because they're too sick to walk themselves to their own slaughter 45 00:02:29,177 --> 00:02:32,267 I'm Vegan for the pigs who are slammed to pieces on the ground 46 00:02:32,359 --> 00:02:35,819 I'm Vegan for the male chicks who are tossed into a grinder alive 47 00:02:36,083 --> 00:02:38,853 I'm Vegan for the foxes who are skinned alive for fur 48 00:02:39,202 --> 00:02:43,202 I'm Vegan for the orcas who are stolen from their families and forced to entertain 49 00:02:43,685 --> 00:02:46,475 I'm Vegan for the bunnies who are tested on for makeup 50 00:02:46,572 --> 00:02:50,572 I'm Vegan for the elephants in chains at the circus who are beaten to perform 51 00:02:51,032 --> 00:02:52,502 But most importantly 52 00:02:52,524 --> 00:02:55,644 I'm Vegan because I reject slavery, cruelty and murder” 53 00:02:57,010 --> 00:03:00,150 ”We have the power to save over 1 100 gallons of water, 54 00:03:00,622 --> 00:03:02,332 45 pounds of grain, 55 00:03:02,748 --> 00:03:04,828 30 squarefeet of forested land, 56 00:03:05,187 --> 00:03:06,757 20 pounds of Co2 57 00:03:07,553 --> 00:03:09,083 and one animals life 58 00:03:09,636 --> 00:03:11,066 Every single day” 59 00:03:12,958 --> 00:03:18,158 ”A whole foods, plantbased diet can help prevent, treat and reverse 14 of our 15 leading causes of death 60 00:03:18,158 --> 00:03:20,278 Including our top three killers” 61 00:03:20,498 --> 00:03:24,288 ”If there was a way to be healthy while saving animals and helping protect the planet 62 00:03:24,814 --> 00:03:26,374 why wouldn't you do it? 63 00:03:26,974 --> 00:03:28,574 It's easy to be Vegan 64 00:03:29,020 --> 00:03:30,910 We don't need to eat animals 65 00:03:31,059 --> 00:03:34,219 We benefit in every conceivable way from not eating them 66 00:03:34,818 --> 00:03:38,818 And the good news is that being Vegan doesn't mean you have to give up taste or your favourite foods 67 00:03:39,851 --> 00:03:44,571 These days there exist amazing Vegan alternatives to every meat, every cheese and even eggs 68 00:03:45,017 --> 00:03:48,367 And there are hundreds of recipes dor all kinds of great Vegan meals” 69 00:03:51,953 --> 00:03:57,543 The more you talk to people, the more you can start to remember different kinds of responses that resonate with different kinds of people 70 00:03:57,622 --> 00:04:02,112 James Aspey's response was one of the most sincere, inspiring ways of expressing why we're Vegan 71 00:04:03,187 --> 00:04:07,187 If you're talking to someone with a strong sense of justice or someone who deeply loves animals, 72 00:04:07,608 --> 00:04:11,468 explaining how the industries work can be very effective and spark conversation 73 00:04:13,636 --> 00:04:15,086 For people who want to protect the planet, 74 00:04:15,086 --> 00:04:20,276 give them facts from Cowspiracy about how animals agriculture is the leading cause of environmental destructuon 75 00:04:20,683 --> 00:04:25,923 And for those who are health conscious, it's okay to tell the health benefits of eliminating unhealthy animal products 76 00:04:27,251 --> 00:04:31,051 It's easier for people to understand the ethics once they've changed their dietary habits 77 00:04:31,212 --> 00:04:33,672 Even if it is for somewhat selfish reasons 78 00:04:34,030 --> 00:04:38,030 And sometimes leading by example is the best way to get people interested in the lifestyle 79 00:04:38,445 --> 00:04:41,415 So showing them how easy it is and how tasty Vegan meals are, 80 00:04:41,525 --> 00:04:43,735 they're more likely to understand your points 81 00:04:44,156 --> 00:04:46,736 Never underestimate the power of stories 82 00:04:47,075 --> 00:04:50,689 Using anecdotes from your life to show why you chose to change can stay with people 83 00:04:50,689 --> 00:04:53,439 and help them relate their personal journies with yours 84 00:04:53,902 --> 00:04:55,992 Many Vegans were once militant meat eaters 85 00:04:55,992 --> 00:04:59,292 who mocked and ridiculed Vegans because they didn't understand 86 00:04:59,896 --> 00:05:04,616 Powerful stories give us hope that anyone can turn their life around and choose compassion 87 00:05:05,220 --> 00:05:07,370 ”The reason I took a vow of silence 88 00:05:07,881 --> 00:05:11,721 was to raise awareness for the voiceless victims of this planet 89 00:05:12,157 --> 00:05:12,737 The animals 90 00:05:12,737 --> 00:05:13,907 The animals” 91 00:05:14,162 --> 00:05:17,672 It doesn't always matter what you say when people ask you why you're Vegan 92 00:05:17,808 --> 00:05:19,718 What matters is how you say it 93 00:05:20,107 --> 00:05:22,617 Don't let fear stop you from speaking up 94 00:05:22,931 --> 00:05:28,011 Use evey question as an opportunity to inspire compassion in those who are too scared to change 95 00:05:28,011 --> 00:05:30,701 And don't be indimitated by sarcasm and ignorance 96 00:05:30,701 --> 00:05:34,701 Speak with such passion and conviction that they can't help but listen to your voice 97 00:05:35,253 --> 00:05:36,403 Don't back down 98 00:05:36,745 --> 00:05:40,645 Speak the truth like you'd want it to be told if you were queuing up to be slaughtered 99 00:05:43,288 --> 00:05:45,658 You might not always have the perfect words 100 00:05:45,989 --> 00:05:49,959 But if you choose to say nothing, you'll have missed the opportunity to change someone's life 101 00:05:50,815 --> 00:05:54,185 And you'll have missed the opportunity to speak up against injustice 102 00:06:13,616 --> 00:06:15,726 ”We all say we love animals 103 00:06:16,074 --> 00:06:16,704 and- 104 00:06:17,686 --> 00:06:20,126 we all are against animal cruelty 105 00:06:20,522 --> 00:06:25,672 But we pay people to mutilate, torture and slaughter animals” 106 00:06:25,914 --> 00:06:27,374 ”Killing is never humane, 107 00:06:27,374 --> 00:06:29,274 it's never gentle, it's never kind” 108 00:06:29,532 --> 00:06:31,462 ”And it's not for any neccessity 109 00:06:31,755 --> 00:06:34,255 It's not because we need to for our health 110 00:06:34,325 --> 00:06:36,735 It's just because we like the way they taste” 111 00:06:36,911 --> 00:06:40,371 ”Now I wanna let y'all know that I was not raised Vegan 112 00:06:40,676 --> 00:06:44,476 I ate meat, cheese, milk and eggs for around 25 years” 113 00:06:44,476 --> 00:06:46,166 ”I remember saying to vegetarians 114 00:06:46,698 --> 00:06:47,208 Um- 115 00:06:47,277 --> 00:06:49,897 For any animal you don't eat, I eat three, will you eat one?” 116 00:06:49,937 --> 00:06:51,517 ”Needless to say 117 00:06:51,597 --> 00:06:53,687 I understand your lifestyle 118 00:06:54,085 --> 00:06:55,475 It used to be mine 119 00:06:55,846 --> 00:06:58,436 We all have different likes and dislikes 120 00:06:58,512 --> 00:07:01,062 Different nationalities and religions too 121 00:07:01,234 --> 00:07:04,304 But there's one thing that we need to have in common with each other 122 00:07:04,304 --> 00:07:05,624 and that's peace 123 00:07:05,696 --> 00:07:10,646 Genuine compassion and genuine peace for our planetary companions” 124 00:07:10,943 --> 00:07:13,173 ”There's no valid argument for a westerner 125 00:07:13,333 --> 00:07:17,063 in the world we live with an abundance of fruit and vegetables in every street corner 126 00:07:17,063 --> 00:07:21,063 to ever pay someone to kill an animal in our behalf that we wouldn't wanna kill in the first place 127 00:07:21,063 --> 00:07:22,213 when we don't need to”