Judgmental, restrictive, extreme–all common descriptors of people who call themselves “vegan.” With loud bumper stickers and special restaurant order requests, it’s easy to assume that most vegans are self-promoting their supposed elitism. But behind these stereotypes sits a much humbler reality: their lifestyle has little to nothing to do with themselves.
Veganism: Founded on Anti-Cruelty Values
In 1944, Donald Watson began “the beginning and end of vegetarian” when he and five other non-dairy vegetarians in England founded The Vegan Society. After witnessing the slaughtering of pigs on his uncle’s farm as a young boy, Watson’s early rejection of contributing any further to this inhumanity fueled the movement that has now inspired over 79 million people worldwide to adopt a vegan diet. Though countless studies have since shown the tremendous benefits of veganism on also the environment and people’s personal health, including lowering the risk of five types of cancers, veganism still majorly benefits the animals.
Animal Welfare: The Forefront
The lack of animal products on vegans’ plates or in their wardrobes isn’t their annoying way of reminding you they have self-control. Instead it places a direct spotlight onto non-human life that is consistently hidden in the dark. Each year in the United States, 55 billion land and sea animals are slaughtered by the meat industry. Considering animals killed globally, that number becomes utterly incomprehensible. The process behind these numbers is even more appalling, with American law requiring animals are either gassed or electrically stunned before being cut and bled to death. A poll of 8,500 vegans revealed that most vegans’ number one reason for cutting out animal products is animal welfare. The environment comes second. This focus outward is the centerpiece of veganism, contrary to the widely believed stereotype that vegans are motivated by the reactions of others. And while there are groups famous for inciting reactions in non-vegans such as PETA, they’re still organizations established on the belief that no human is superior to any animal.
How Compassion Inspires The Movement
The fuel that has powered the vegan movement is simple: compassion. When people are exposed to the truths of the meat and dairy industries, they’re posed with the moral dilemma of whether or not to care. Those who choose to care gain a level of compassion most of us are not exposed to growing up: that no human or animal is above the other. Believing that all living things should coexist instead of taking their seat in the hierarchy humans have created is learned, and this can only be learned when vegans are vocal about it. Though this vocalization is controversial and stirs up negative opinions regarding the people behind it, they are some of the most selfless conversations vegans will ever have. Being compassionate means accepting that your comfortability and safety in life is something others deserve, too. No life is worth more than another, and no vegan is better than anyone.