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MISSION STATEMENT

V-EGANISM is independent in thoughts and actions, only choosing what is right and just for animals, humans, and the environment. V-EGANISM however does have a mission statement which is how the founder of veganism, Donald Watson, originally coined the word's definition. It was a perfect definition then and it still is a perfect definition now. So the following paragraph is V-EGANISM's official Mission Statement:


"V-EGANISM educates people and helps people and animals regarding the political and social justice cause, Veganism, which is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude--as far as is possible and practical--all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, cosmetics, household products, entertainment, service or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment."


OPERATION V-EGANISM SHARING LINKS

I share links daily regarding animal rights/veganism on Twitter. https://twitter.com/LorraineVegan.

Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Maneki Neko Cat

Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Maneki Neko Cat

Love & Peace Maneki Neko Cat

Love & Peace Maneki Neko Cat

Animals Killed Counter

The Animal Kill Counter: Basic Version << ADAPTT :: Animals Deserve Absolute Protection Today and Tomorrow

Animals Slaughtered:

0 marine animals
0 chickens
0 ducks
0 pigs
0 rabbits
0 turkeys
0 geese
0 sheep
0 goats
0 cows and calves
0 rodents
0 pigeons and other birds
0 buffaloes
0 dogs
0 cats
0 horses
0 donkeys and mules
0 camels and other camelids

These are the numbers of animals killed worldwide by the meat, egg, and dairy industries since you opened this webpage. These numbers do NOT include the many millions of animals killed each year in vivisection laboratories. They do NOT include the millions of dogs and cats killed in animal shelters every year. They do NOT include the animals who died while held captive in the animal-slavery enterprises of circuses, rodeos, zoos, and marine parks. They do NOT include the animals killed while pressed into such blood sports as bullfighting, cockfighting, dogfighting, and bear- baiting, nor do they include horses and grey- hounds who were exterminated after they were no longer deemed suitable for racing. Courtesy of ADAPTT

Veg Movies Website - Largest collection of Animal Activism films!

VegMovies plant-based and animal-friendly movie directory


Truth!

Showing posts with label social justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social justice. Show all posts

Thursday, July 2, 2015

V-EGANISM's Official Mission Statement




I needed to create a detailed, official, mission statement for V-EGANISM. This following statement will also be located at the top of this web blog permanently.


There are animal welfare vegans and animal abolition vegans. V-EGANISM is neither. Just as there are positive things and negative things about conservatives and liberals, there are positive things and negative things about welfarists and abolitionists. V-EGANISM avoids all 4 "political parties", and remains as an independent in thoughts and actions, only choosing what is right and just for animals, humans, and the environment. V-EGANISM however does have a mission statement which is how the founder of veganism, Donald Watson, originally coined the word's definition. It was a perfect definition then and it still is a perfect definition now! So the following paragraph is V-EGANISM's official Mission Statement--and nothing more, nothing less, we are simply called, "Vegans", with no additives:

"V-EGANISM educates people and helps people and animals regarding the political and social justice cause, Veganism, which is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude--as far as is possible and practicable--all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, cosmetics, household products, entertainment, services or any other purposes; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment."

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

How I Define Veganism First and Foremost





When I say I'm vegan, I'm now defining it in the most serious of terms, to get it through people's heads it's not just some fad. So I define vegan as (which it is) a political, social justice movement. This definition, in my opinion, makes it sound a lot more powerful, and places it where it deserves, alongside other issues like, pro-life/pro-choice, human rights, GLBTQ rights, etc. which are also political, social justice movements. Then if I talk further with the person, I go into detail what veganism is all about.

People never say they are, for instance, pro-life, for human rights, etc., because of ethical reasons. Why should animal rights activists?

Saying words like "ethical", "philosophical", (or "plant-based", which is a term I have never used) just doesn't hold power like saying "political" and "social justice"; there seems to be more respect when those two words are stated. This is from my own personal experience when I speak to people.

So I tell people I'm vegan for political, social justice reasons.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

L.A.'s National Museum of Animals & Society Focuses on Animal Rights





The National Museum of Animals & Society, is a new museum in Los Angeles, featuring an active roster of exhibits and events focused on representing the animal rights movement.
There are many other social justice movements, like women's suffrage, civil rights, etc., and various labor movements have museums--or sections of museums--dedicated to those causes, but there has never been any museum that focuses on animals and animal rights. 
Beyond animal rights, the museum focuses on events where animals and society intersect through the arts, humanities, science, and humane education.


Current Exhibits at Animals & Society


Light in Dark Places was their first exhibit this summer. (The exhibit is open one final weekend, closing on August 3.) The show, curated by writer and animal advocate Julia Orr, traces the history of the Anti-Vivisection movement from Victorian England to modern day. The Anti-Vivisection Society was originally created to end various types of medical testing on animals. Experimenting on animals has been done through the ages, and pre-dated any type of anesthesia for humans or animals. The extent of inhumane treatment knew no bounds. Today Anti-Vivisection Societies still exist in this country and worldwide to fight to end animal testing done by medical and cosmetic groups.
The exhibit documented the involvement of notables such as Mark Twain and George Bernard Shaw, both of whom used their influence to stand up for this cause. Caroline Earle White (1833-1916) is among the many women who are highlighted. Ms. White was the founder of the first animal shelter in the United States.
The next exhibit is Dog, Cat, Mouse, which features work by three California artists showing the art they have produced featuring dogs, cats, and a rodent. A percentage of the proceeds of any art sold will be donated to the SPCA of Los Angeles. The opening reception will be on August 9 at 7 p.m.

Other Exhibits of Interest
The museum sends representatives into schools and they host field trips on site for parents, teachers, and educators. Be Kind: A Visual History of Humane Education 1880-1945 is a popular program; there is also a pop-up exhibit on this subject that can be sent out on loan.
My Dog is my Home was among the early exhibits at the Museum of Animals and Society and also exists as a traveling show. It tells the story of homeless people and their animal companions and the very important bond between them.
There was another exhibit titled Uncooped. This exhibit explored the origins of and the cultural attitudes towards one of the most common--yet most often overlooked--of all domesticated animals: the chicken. For this exhibit, the museum hosted a chicken adoption event and found homes for 93 rescue hens.

Enriching the Lives of Both Animals and People
The goals of the museum also include enriching lives of animals and people. A year ago they coordinated the largest service fair on Skid Row for people and their companion animals. The animals received free grooming, veterinary care, food, and supplies. Food and supplies were donated and made available for the people as well. 
The museum is located at 4302 Melrose, Los Angeles, but for those not in the Southern California area, there is a website. Visit the National Museum of Animals and Society and My Dog is My Home.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Social Justice Cards



I just ordered my brand new cards for my vegan ministry! It should arrive within 8 days from Vistaprint.

As you can see, I was able to put a lot on it! I didn't just want to have my name, email and web address; I wanted to describe in detail what my ministry is all about before anyone would contact me.

The picture was the best I could find on their site to illustrate what my ministry is all about--Veganism equaling love for all, symbolized by doves which represents peace.

I can't wait for my cards to arrive!

Monday, November 4, 2013

The True Meaning of Veganism




The definition of "Vegan" is effed-up and vegans are the main reason it is! 

There is no such thing as vegan food, vegan clothing, etc. Veganism is an ethical, world view idea. Veganism is a social justice. Non-animal food is just that--plant/vegetarian food. Non-animal clothing is man-made/cruelty-free clothing. The food/clothing is NOT an ethical, social justice; the food/clothing isn't political: it's simply food/clothes that a social justice person--a vegan--would only eat/wear.

The only thing that is vegan is the person who believes in the social justice of animal rights; one who believes in veganism.

I too, am very guilty at erroneously calling foods, clothing and other items "vegan". I will no longer do so and instead say, plant food, man-made, cruelty-free... when describing items used by vegans.

Someone once on Facebook brought this up and said how there is no such thing as a vegan restaurant as one is only mentioning food. The busy group pretty much ignored her thoughts and went on discussing other things. I was like, 'Wow! This is definitely food for thought and one reason why vegan is made to look as a joke in this day and age, and her statement gave one of the reasons why and it just went over everyone's heads!'

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Vegan is a Way of Life




Bruce Friedrich, senior director for Strategic Initiatives at Farm Sanctuary said this on his Facebook page on August 1, and asked for comments--which he got over 200 replies.

"I just wrote this on a comment on my wall, and I'm wondering what others think: "I'm comfortable with vegan referring exclusively to diet. The most frequent use of the word is on foods and cookbooks, I'd guess, where it is only referring to the lack of animal ingredients in food. And for the vast majority of people who think they know what it means, 'vegan' is a diet term. People fighting to identify vegan according to its original meaning are not likely to win that battle, I'm pretty sure. It's the nature of diction that word meanings change according to common use. Fighting it will be an exercise in frustration, I suspect."

I know some people feel with what seems to be an almost religious zeal that "vegan" must adhere to the original (purely animal rights, no leather, wool, silk, etc.) meaning, but surely that train has long since left the station. Is this really a battle worth fighting? Don't we have more important things to worry about? What do you think?"

I think to redefine the word vegan is crazy! And I'm sure the 2 reasons how this problem started as to why mainstream thinks veganism is a diet only are:

1. The vegan community some years back got lazy in their animal activism and just started mentioning the diet part at least most of the time in educating people so people just assumed by what most vegans talk about--the diet part--is basically what it means to be vegan.

2. Mainstream, on their own, simply started to embrace the diet part only in hopes of making it easy to be called vegan because--hey!--it's such a cool word that everyone should easily be called vegans. {rolls eyes}

One vegan has said vegans should be called, "Animal Rights Vegans", and let the word vegan by itself be for as to define a diet only.

I don't like this AT ALL.

Veganism means a lot more than "animal rights". Animal Rights can be defined in various ways anyway; it's simply too vague. Or saying "Cruelty-free Vegan" would be a misnomer too, as being vegan is more than just not being cruel to animals.

Animals should not be used in ANY way--THAT is how vegan is defined.

Always was and always should be.

By horribly diluting the word vegan, we make light of this social justice issue. Defining vegan as just a diet is a huge insult to this social justice word! Vegans have no other word as definition. We claimed that word and it's definition a long time ago and it should stay that way in how it's been originally defined.

Bruce asked, "Don't we have more important things to worry about". This IS one of the important things! His lame psychological BS does not intimidate me in how I feel about this subject.

We vegans CAN stop this attempt to redefine veganism by placing on all our animal rights blogs, articles, websites, cookbooks (which I think is part of the problem--too many vegan cookbooks makes mainstream think that's all veganism is about), on ALL our vegan education materials, on top of the page, explicitly explaining what being vegan truly means. And when we talk to others we should make damn sure people have a clear understanding that veganism is more than just what we put in out mouths. And we can explain to them in a way that doesn't overwhelm people.

Vegan is NOT just how we eat....

Vegan is a way of life.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Ways to Be an Effective Vegan Activist



In my last blogpost, I mentioned how the vegan community tends to only preach to the converted in discussing veganism. I mentioned a couple ways in how to be a real active vegan in educating people who are non-vegans.

Today, I want to talk about other very effective ways to educate non-vegans, including ways I said yesterday, in no particular order:


Schools

Be it grade schools or colleges, go to the teacher of the class and ask nicely if you can give a vegan presentation. Many places of education would allow you to come in and educate their students about a healthy life. You'll be reaching people (students) mostly under 30 years of age.


Churches

Churches, especially large ones with many programs and other things going on there throughout the week, would welcome someone coming in to talk to the congregation about veganism/healthier way of life. If you are a  member or at least regularly attend worship services at the church, you have an even better chance of being allowed to present veganism there. If you are a member and your church has an area where members do tableing for social justice causes, ask the main organizer of the tables if you can do a vegan table with pamphlets and samples of delicious vegan food. Who mostly attend church? People who are over 30.

So with educating the schools and the churches, you will be informing all the ages and generations of people.


Twitter

Follow everyone who follows you, so as you Tweet, all the non-vegans, which will be most of your followers, will see your vegan tweets. I say follow everyone because if you don't, many (non-vegans) will stop following you. If you want to have a section at Twitter to just see fellow vegan tweets easily, simply make a Twitter List of all your vegans before following everyone else. You can make many Twitter Lists for any category you want.


Tweetdeck

Tweetdeck is a marvelous way of spreading the vegan message! After you register there and get the deck, type in the word vegan in the search at the upper right corner. After you click for the search, you'll see only the tweets at that Tweeter column with the word "vegan" in it as mentioned. Go to the bottom of that search and click at Add Column. Now, when you see someone asking about the vegan life, you can tweet them back with information. Believe me, you'll see A LOT of people asking for help. Plus, you'll help many other non-vegans, as you'll have many non-vegan followers because you are following everyone who follows you, so they'll read your informative vegan tweets. This also can work in other social networks.


Outdoors

If you want to spread the vegan message in a more public way, do it openly outdoors! Most non-vegans will not go out their way to hear vegan/animal rights talk. By having vegan gatherings out in the parks, you'll be taking the message to where non-vegans normally are. Make sure it's very accessible to non-vegans and not in such a way where a person has to go through a gate to get there, as I said, non-vegans will not go out their way to hear the message, so have the entrance wide open, like in a public park.


How to Tell if You're Being an Effective Vegan Activist

In your activism, whether it be in public in person, on your podcast, on your blog, your emails, etc. if the majority of people responding to you are praising you and agreeing with pretty much everything you say immediately without questioning you,  then you are not being an effective vegan activist! You are simply just informing other vegans what they already know, and your vegan activism will be nothing but a vegan club for fellow vegans. Non-vegans (who most of your audience should be) will not quickly praise you; they will be asking a million questions, challenging you, debating you, mentioning their fears, being skeptical....at first until you give them more information to their satisfaction as it pertains to them as an individual. Then they may express gratitude and praise toward you for being so informative.

You can certainly do whatever you want in speaking the vegan message, and not take my advice, as you are not hurting me. Who you are hurting are animals in the world by spending most of your time talking to people who already are vegan/animal activists.

Follow Me on Twitter! I share links daily regarding animal rights/veganism on Twitter: