When I was 10-years-old, my big sister became vegetarian. She was able to keep up with the lifestyle change for two years before giving in to my mother’s famous steaks at dinner. Although she was only vegetarian for a short while, it felt like she was vegetarian for a long time since I was young and it seemed like such a difficult choice to make at that age. At the time, I didn’t understand how she was able to do it, and I had no interest in trying.

It wasn’t until my second semester of being away in college that I was finally able to understand where she was coming from. I was older, had more discipline and was also living in an environment where I could buy and prepare all of my own food. I was no longer forced to have the temptation of jerk chicken and beef patties present for every day of my existence.

After watching countless documentaries which usually ended up with me in tears far before the beginning credits finished rolling, I knew that ethically, vegetarianism was the way to go. I didn’t need much convincing for me to realize that the way that animals are treated in the food industry is horrible. The things I saw struck a chord of compassion within me, and I wanted no parts in the torturing of other species.

Aside from that, I chose vegetarianism for health reasons. Seeing the condition that the animals are raised in and hearing of all of the medicines that they are pumped with and fed daily was enough to deter me from consuming them. Also, realizing that consuming the animal means to consume the fear, sickness and sadness that exists within them was also a huge factor. I simply didn’t want those types of energies and hormones inside of me, and now I can see a huge difference in my body and overall self since giving up meat.

Like many other vegetarians within Black communities, I faced scrutiny at first form those who eat meat like it’s a family tradition (because sometimes, it is). The difference that I have seen in myself was life changing; from clear skin to a clearer mind and emotional state is enough to help me power through all the criticism and questions form inquiring minds.

The more time that passes, the more passionate I am about being vegetarian. It was not a long process for me at all. I actually made the decision with one day of thinking about it and it has been so much easier than I anticipated. I can just imagine my body building up an intolerance to animal consumption with every day that passes and to me, it is such a beautiful thing. The love and compassion for all species has been my greatest reward in practicing vegetarianism, no matter how much of a difference I see in myself physically, that is what I am proudest of.