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Move 4:Another Perspective: From a seasoned Vegan
My third move was pretty harsh awakening, but I know that as I make my journey towards veganism, I have to try and move past the feelings of hopelessness and remind myself of the difference I am making, even if it is small. The following interview with Aleya ended up being exactly what I needed. I emailed her and she was once absolutely enthused to help with my project. At the time I was feeling uninspired and dying to eat some fried chicken, but her optimism and conviction reminded me of why I was doing this in the first place. I wanted to add this move to my Capstone becasue it provides a contrasting experience to compliment my personal story.
Q: How long have you been a vegan?
A: This summer will mark two years being vegan!
Q: Why did you become a vegan? Was it more for ethical or environmental reasonings?
A: Lots of reasons! I was raised in a vegetarian household so meat was rarely, if ever, a part of my everyday diet. My mom allowed my brother and I to choose whether or not we wanted to eat animals but it was never particularly appealing and I always resonated with her personal logic surrounding the philosophy of vegetarianism. When I was around 12 or 13 I decided to cut out meat and seafood altogether, largely due to her influence. Going vegan took a few more years. I’d always considered myself a huge animal lover but the switch to veganism didn’t happen until I realized how contradictory my lifestyle choices and eating habits were to my values. I couldn’t call myself an animal lover while simultaneously contributing to their suffering… It didn’t match up.
So yeah, my decision to go vegan was almost entirely for ethical reasons, followed by some health reasons. The environmental aspect of veganism didn’t actually register with me until early last year. I will say, however, that people initially connect with the environmental arguments for veganism far more than they do the ethical ones. I guess that’s why I usually take that route. In my experience, empathy for animals is rarely something people will admit they have. We’ve been conditioned to see a huge disconnect between human life and animal life.
Q: What is the hardest part about your lifestyle?
A: Probably the awareness! It might sound silly, but sometimes I really do wish I could return to that place of ignorance. That’s not to say I’ve learned all there is to learn but once you begin to tap into that part of yourself that’s been conditioned to numbness, you start to see a lot further beyond the surface. Choosing to be anything that goes against the norm and choosing to stand up for any minority cause is mentally draining. Veganism covers a whole range of issues from human rights to worker’s rights to species extinction to global warming to world hunger to animal liberation to… so many things! It’s a lot to absorb at once. When we feel connected to everything, we also feel a sense of responsibility for everything, and that can be exhausting. I’ve gotten over the ‘being different’ factor of it all and I think that’s because as time has gone on I’ve realized a lot more people are genuinely interested than they are critical in regards to my eating/lifestyle habits. It makes me SO EXCITED when people express interest. That’s when the change happens.
Q: What is your favorite part?
A: A vegan diet saves nearly 200 lives per year. That’s my favorite part! Also, the food. I’ve never loved food the way I do now and I attribute that largely to the health aspect of veganism.
Q: How do you feel you are making a difference?
A:It doesn’t really seem like much of a choice anymore. I couldn’t comfortably live any other way. Now that I know what I know about the horrors behind animal agriculture, I’d never let myself support the industry in any way. The violence and torture and pure suffering that happens in slaughterhouses is something I think very few people are aware of but once the ignorance shield is shed, there are only two options. You can continue to support cruelty or you can stop. There’s no way of knowing if I’m making a difference but I’ve helped influence several people to adopt different eating habits and that’s pretty cool!
Q: How do you feel about the stereotype of being a vegan and the stigma that surrounds it?
A: Hahaha. Oh man. I can’t stand preachy vegans. There’s nothing worse than someone who has this preconceived notion that they’re already better than you. The stereotype is justified, but we’re not all bad. Some people get very involved and connected to their cause (for good reason) that they forget where they started out. At its core, veganism is about compassion and respect. I respect everyone’s right to live and I am compassionate towards those in pain. It’s really so simple. Also, not eating animals makes a lot of people who do eat animals feel like they’re doing something wrong; like I’m attacking them for their choices. I try to minimize that stigma as much as possible. We all start somewhere.
Q: What’s the most common response you get when you tell people you are a vegan? What do you say in return?
A: Usually the protein argument is thrown at me. Or people will tell me that humans are meant to eat animals and there’s no other valid or appropriate way to eat. I used to try so hard to counter those arguments but now I usually just show people research studies negating whatever it is they’re trying to prove to me. But other than that, people are generally super intrigued and want to know more. And I love that.
Q: What is the biggest thing your lifestyle has taught you?
A: Compassion and interconnectedness. It is SO hard to live a completely ethical life nowadays and to consciously source everything you consume and buy from responsible companies with fair practices BUT like I said, you have to start somewhere. Going vegan has exposed me to a lot of urgent issues our world is facing and I’m much more conscious of my choices now than ever before. We have a responsibility to provide for this planet as it has for us. I can see that now.
Q: What do you wish everyone could know about being a vegan?
A: Everything you eat now, you can eat as a vegan. I promise. Every food can be made plant-based and cruelty-free. Also, you won’t become protein-deficient because there’s no such thing. Plant foods are richer in nutrients than any animal-based product so no matter what you eat, you’ll feel healthier.
Q: Do you see this lifestyle having an effect on your future/career?
A: I really hope so! I’m not entirely sure what I want to do but I imagine veganism will find its place wherever I end up.
Q: What benefits do you see occur in your life from your eating habits?
A: Probably the way I feel. I always wake up energized, I haven’t been sick in years, my body requires less sleep and maintenance, and I never feel weighed down or lethargic after eating. When you treat your body the way its supposed to be treated, everything works effortlessly.
Q: What advice do you have for people who are thinking about going vegan/vegetarian?
A:Eat enough! Plant foods are naturally lower in calories so you literally need to eat more bites of food to fulfil your caloric needs. Eat abundantly, do your research, and include a lot of variety in your diet. Also, determine your motives for going vegetarian or vegan. It might be difficult to stay accountable (especially if you’re living in a non-veg household), but if you have your reasons determined and present, you can always remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.
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Q: What’s your favorite thing to eat?
A: Doughnuts and smoothies!