Someone recently said to me they don’t identify themselves as a vegan. They don’t like labels. Instead they eat a “plant-based” diet. I hear this a lot these days, but I like labels. They give me a direction and perspective. Saying you eat a plant-based diet is also a label. Perhaps people find it gentler than the term, vegan. I find it less committed.
I’m proud to call myself a vegan and here’s why: I gave up meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, honey, leather, fur, silk, wool, down and products tested on animals to take a stand against what I thought needed to be changed in this world. I didn’t do this to be perfect or judgmental of others. I didn’t do this to be healthier. I didn’t do this to be “green.” I’m not a radical — far from it — although I have been called one. I did this because it felt like the right thing to do. Simple as that.
My decision to go vegan wasn’t entirely altruistic and I didn’t do it over night. It took years, but there came a point in my life when I knew I could do better. I could no longer live with myself knowing what I knew about animal abuse. This one decision and act of commitment to give up — as much as possible — all animal products freed my mind from guilt. Seven years later I’m certain it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What about you? Are you a proud vegan?
I actually like it when people call themselves “plant-based eaters” instead of vegans, when they haven’t made the connection to reducing harm to animals. If they are eating plant-based, or mostly plant-based, or vegetarian or pescatarian, or wearing, using, buying leather, fur, silk, etc. – they are not vegans, and shouldn’t term themselves as such, no matter what they eat.
I am happy to be a vegan!
Good point, Rebecca. Thanks for being here.
I think both terms have a place and use both in my vocabulary depending on who I am speaking to and about what. I believe the vegan “label” adds a whole other dimension on top of plant based diet.
To me identifying myelf as a vegan not only speaks to what I choose to eat and wear but it also means that I do not participate in exploiting or being a spectator to entertainment provided by animals. It means that I choose to be compassionate to all beings, including the human ones. I try to treat everyone with respect and not be judgmental regardless of their behavior and beliefs.
It is better to educate than acuse, point fingers, blame, or judge. We are all on a path. Some are further along then others when it comes to their perception of the world we live in and the food choices we make.
Proud to be an long-time ethical vegan! Veganism is the most important journey I have taken in my life and has helped me to become a better person. I do lament that the true intent of veganism has been distorted and diluted over the years. Many people who call themselves “vegan” these days have no concept of the ethical roots of the movement or its long history, and are adopting the vegan label to be cool or cutting edge. So often I meet “vegans” who still eat the occasional piece of fish or cheese pizza because “they’re so hard to give up,” and continue to use cruel products because they don’t want to spend more on cruelty-free. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud anyone who reduces his/her consumption of animal products but I get a little annoyed when they call themselves vegan without any idea of the true meaning behind the movement or commitment to the same.
Well said!
As a longtime vegetarian, I went vegan a few months ago, at least as far as my diet is concerned. I hesitate to call myself vegan at times, though, because I do still own (though no longer purchase) leather furniture, etc.
Hi Rapunzel, You may be interested in reading this post about clothes and accessories. Thanks for stopping by!