In my previous blogpost, titled, I'm an Animal Rights Activist, I mentioned how I now prefer to call myself an animal rights activist than calling myself a vegan, explaining why. In this similar blogpost, I want to mention that I also now prefer to say I use cruelty-free products instead of saying I use vegan products. Again, as mentioned in my previous blogpost, the word vegan is such a light, fluffy euphemistic word; it lacks the seriousness and power that the word cruelty-free has.
Veganism-Environmental Guide and Nutrition in Species Ministry. VEGAN = LOVE FOR PEOPLE, ANIMALS, PLANET.
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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."
Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Maneki Neko Cat
Love & Peace Maneki Neko Cat
Animals Killed Counter
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
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
I Use Cruelty-Free Products
In my previous blogpost, titled, I'm an Animal Rights Activist, I mentioned how I now prefer to call myself an animal rights activist than calling myself a vegan, explaining why. In this similar blogpost, I want to mention that I also now prefer to say I use cruelty-free products instead of saying I use vegan products. Again, as mentioned in my previous blogpost, the word vegan is such a light, fluffy euphemistic word; it lacks the seriousness and power that the word cruelty-free has.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
I'm an Animal Rights Activist
I like the name, "Vegan", I really do, and often in the past I have usually identified myself in the animal movement as a vegan, but the term is vague when it comes down to defining what this social justice movement is all about. Some people still look at me with a blank look on their face when I say I'm vegan. Therefore, from now on, I will rarely call myself vegan but instead, identify myself in a more straightforward way by saying I'm an...
Animal Rights Activist
It's a no-nonsense, well defined label. Plus, that name alone will cause people to think about how they treat animals. For instance, let's say I'm having brunch with someone for the first time. They order a meat sandwich and I order the only vegan sandwich on the menu. The person I'm having brunch with says to me, "Why didn't you order a meat sandwich? It's a bit too heavy to have so early in the morning?" I answer by saying, "No. I don't eat meat because I'm an animal rights activist."
So now they could think, 'Hmmm. I love animals too. Defending animals sounds like the right thing to do. But by eating meat that means I'm not being an activist for animals?'
See what I mean? If I had said, 'No. I do't eat meat because I'm a vegan,' they probably would not equate veganism with animal rights activism which both do mean the same thing, regardless of what some people believe. Veganism and animal rights activism may mean the same but the word vegan has become so bastardized and watered down to the point of tasting like water that most people when they hear the term vegan they think it as some sort of insignificant cult or club.
About a month ago, at work someone offered me some milk chocolate. I said to him, "No thanks. I'm a vegan." He said to me, "Oh, OK. Well, if you change your mind, the chocolate will be in the front in the lunchroom area."
Here I am, a staunch animal rights activist of 36 years and he has it in his mind that I will all of a sudden "change my mind" and stop being a vegan after 36 years! I told that to a meat-eating ex-boyfriend and even he was surprised at that co-worker's ignorance. People simply don't take the word vegan seriously.
Had I said to him, "No thanks. I'm an animal rights activist", do you think he would have thought I would immediately change my mind? I don't think so.
When choosing a term to represent yourself, choose wisely, as words speak volumes.