I'm a Vegan And I Don't Hate You. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I'm a Vegan And I Don't Hate You.

Not all vegans are pretentious jerks.

7
I'm a Vegan And I Don't Hate You.
Aztec Recreation

I’d like to start off this conversation by explaining the difference between vegetarianism and veganism, as they are often used interchangeably despite the fact that they’re stark in comparison. Vegetarians abstain from eating meat, fish, or poultry. Veganism mandates that you neither use nor ingest anything that was made from the byproducts of animals. This includes, but is not solely limited to eggs, dairy-products, honey, leather, silk, wool, certain cosmetics and soaps made from animals. Neither one is inherently better than the other, as both lifestyle choices are great for the body and the environment.

Vegans in Society

The vegan community, more often than not, gets a bad rap from mainstream culture due to their extremely irregular diet and lifestyle choices. This is due to the fact that vegans feel strongly about their cause -- the cruelty that farmers, manufacturers and consumers inflict upon animals is heartbreaking and upsetting to us. This tends to make us feel the need to spread our truths in rather outspoken ways; rallies, protests, brand-bashing and promoting our agenda are some of the many ways that vegans work to spread their ideas throughout the world.

YouTubers like Freelee the Banana Girl and Emma Blackery use their social media presence to help advocate for the rights of animals who cannot advocate for themselves, and people in the mainstream culture tend to find this as abrasive and off-putting. To some extent, this is true! There's something that needs to be said about those in the vegan community who are extremist in nature, as they tend to bring a negative connotation to joining the vegan community at all.

But, I'm not here to tell you that you're a horrible person because you like to eat meat and dairy. In fact, I'm here to do the exact opposite -- you are a normally socialized human being for eating meat and dairy. While I may not agree with the way that you choose to live, I'm not going to patronize you for doing so.

Yes, I'm a vegan. No, I don't hate you.

Yes, in my opinion, veganism is the way that I think we can help alleviate the issues of our expanding carbon footprint, the cruelty towards and exploitation of animals and the growing numbers of diet-related epidemics. However, people will live how they want to until they make the conscious decision to do their own research.

My own journey into veganism has been full of eye-opening experiences through research into the meat and dairy industries and the assessment of how possible it would be to adopt the lifestyle. And, to tell you the truth, it's quite easy to learn how to be a vegan. You can do it at your own pace, and I have taken the past few months to truly settle into the vegan lifestyle.

I think that the vegan community as a whole should step back from the aggressive, spiteful and angry outcry against those who do not follow in their footsteps in favor of a gentler, appealing approach. While being overtly angry at the world for living in the way that they were socialized to live, there's something that needs to be said about the branding of the lifestyle as a whole.

By branding the vegan community as an accepting, open-arms place for people to come together for a greater cause, we can all work together to learn more about how we can change our lives for the better. By educating people about how the vegan lifestyle can help the planet, the animals and their bodies, they'd be more likely to stop and listen. And, once they listen, that's the first step to teaching them about how life can be different but still sustainable.

For more information, read this article from Health magazine and check out the linked materials and delve into the research yourself. You'll be amazed as to how simple it is to start taking steps toward living a more eco-friendly life.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

72448
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

5129
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

8600
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments