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he term veganism often evokes a negative and revolting reaction, even though most people don't know much about it. When it's mentioned during social gatherings, it’s not uncommon to hear things like - "it's those crazy people that don't eat anything", or "vegans are so pushy and aggressive, they attack people with their controversial attitudes, while you just mind your own business".
At the same time, many people truly agree with the beliefs of veganism without realizing it. They often say - "I'm not vegan, but I like to try vegan food" or "I'm not vegan, but I really love animals and would never harm them".
Veganism is a moral and ethical stance against injustice, exploitation and causing suffering to animals, as well as a conscious choice not to contribute to it with our actions. It is about something more profound than the food itself.
If we would explain this to someone or ask them what they think about it, they would probably agree with these views and say they also think and believe the same. Just like with many movements for equality (social, gender, class...), veganism somehow got a bad reputation. Maybe because big industries would be left without consumers.
As children, we all loved animals and cried when Bambi's mom was killed or when Babe the piglet was in danger. We wanted the animals to win and live long, happy and free lives. Many of us had our favorite plushy - a fluffy teddy bear, soft bunny, lovely cow, or a cute duck... We would sleep with it and hug it all day, expressing natural compassion and love for it.
At the same time, we grew up surrounded by the belief that it’s perfectly okay to kill and eat animals. Without realizing it, body parts of those we loved so much would be put on our plates.
Although we wouldn't have chosen it ourselves, we grew up on fried chicken, cow burgers from McDonalds, cheese and ice cream, scrambled eggs... We enjoyed the tastes of our friends.
That was, and still is, something completely normal and socially accepted, and most people around us do the same. The rare individuals who behave differently are considered weird. Why is that so? The acceptance of such behavior could be explained by carnism.
Carnism is an invisible belief system that normalizes eating animal products, especially meat, as natural and necessary.
This ideology classifies only certain species of animals (chicken, pig, sheep, cow, fish) as food and thus accepts and allows cruel actions towards them, while the same actions are considered unacceptable and horrific when applied to other species (dog, cat, horse, dolphin).
This classification is culturally conditioned, because in one part of the world people eat cats, dogs and horses, while in another the same ones are treated as man's best friends and are loved, cared for and pampered.
We can clearly see this in everyday life. We are bombarded with advertisements for meat, cheese and eggs. In popular tv shows and movies, the main characters we identify with also eat them. Men aren't considered real men if they don't eat steak. Those who eat salads, vegetables or anything healthy are mostly ridiculed.
Animal foods are culturally accepted and are part of habits, traditions and customs that are passed down from generation to generation. It is therefore no wonder that it’s challenging to do otherwise/behave differently.
Perhaps many don’t know the fact that around 98% of all animal products today come from industrial farms.
We often think that it's different for our country, but unfortunately, practices are the same in all parts of the world (Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavian countries, etc.).
Many animal lovers try to buy meat, milk, and eggs from organic, and local family farms, because they believe they are doing a good thing, that the animals are spared from cruelty and treated well, while they themselves eat healthier.
But the unpleasant truth is that there is no animal product that doesn’t involve some form of suffering. Small farms apply many cruel practices that they don't see as cruel. Also, all animals, whether they have a name or a number, end up in a slaughterhouse when they are no longer profitable. The very idea of exploiting another living being for profit is inherently unfair, immoral, and wrong
When it comes to food and what's on our plate, people often get defensive. They passionately defend their right to choose. You can often hear them say - "I have nothing against vegans, let everyone do what they want, just let me eat and do what I want".
However, a very important fact is being forgotten here, namely that personal choice ends where someone else's body begins.
For example, we don't think it's okay for someone to beat up a dog or to harm another person, regardless of whether it gives them pleasure. We don’t justify it or consider it a personal choice.
It’s a very simple matter. If our actions involve (the body of) someone else, they cease to be part of a personal choice because it’s not just us involved in that choice, but also someone else.
Human beings are compassionate and kind by nature. Our first instinct when we see a wounded animal is to help it. Rarely does anyone enjoy inflicting suffering (it’s usually people who are mentally disturbed).
Big animal industries know this and keep standard cruel practices hidden from us and out of the public eye. Because of this, most people are not aware of what is involved in production of our well-known products - meat, milk, eggs, honey, and materials such as leather, fur, wool, silk etc.
There is a saying that goes - 'if industrial farms and slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan'. Rarely would someone remain indifferent to the suffering inflicted on animals, and hardly anyone would do such a thing themselves. And yet most people support it every time they buy animal products in the store.
Most of us don't like to think about where the food we buy and eat comes from. When we happen to see a video that shows this, most of us turn our heads away because it's hard for us to watch it. The videos often come with a warning of a graphic content to warn us of stressful images, which is something that should make us think. Because, why would the production of our food have warnings?
It’s no coincidence that the animal foods in stores are beautifully packaged with pictures of happy animals and usually in unrecognizable shapes, so that nothing would remind us these were once living beings. This is a psychological trick that animal industries do, because they know people would find it repulsive to see faces, eyes, and actual bodies of animals...
We go so far as to transform meat into shapes that remind us of fruits and vegetables. Because that's what we're biologically designed to eat, according to experts. For example, meatballs resemble apples or cherries, thinly sliced sushi looks like juicy slices of watermelon, spices and herbs are added to mask the bland and a bit disgusting taste and smell of meat. To learn more about it, check out Dr. Milton Mills’ lecture
More and more studies show that a whole food plant-based diet is better for our health, for the environment, and of course for the animals. The American Dietetic Association states that a well-planned vegan diet is nutritionally adequate for people of all stages of life, including pregnant and nursing women, children and athletes, and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases.
Today, it's easier than ever to go vegan. There are more and more delicious substitutes for the foods we love to eat. From plant milks, creamy yogurts with probiotic cultures, various types of vegan cheeses, to burgers, kebabs, sausages, and spreads. To make compassionate choices, it’s literally enough for us to reach for a product from another shelf.
If you feel the motiviation to take a step towards veganism, you don't have to do it alone. Everything is easier when we have support.
There are great groups for it that offer help. One is veganchallenge22, an international group that welcomes everyone to join, no matter where they are on their journey. For 22 days, you have dietitians and nutritionists and experienced mentors to guide you through the process. Lots of delicious recipes and health tips are shared, as well as how to prepare your favorite dish in a vegan version, where to find the best vegan products, etc. All of this is completely free. If you want to find out more, Let's try vegan, together.
I believe we don't want to harm anyone. When our actions cause the opposite, we can feel restless and anxious. Once we align our actions with our values of compassion, we begin to feel inner peace that has deep effect on all levels of our being.