I can't pinpoint a moment, but I was vegetarian for 15 Years, and after lots of reading (for all his faults, Peter Singer was a big influence) finally decided to go vegan a couple of months ago.
A BBC prog, Veganville: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07wn1by there's a moment where Joey Carbstrong did a vigil with animals before they went into the slaughterhouse through the slats on the truck. The cows and pigs etc just looked like scared people, immediately went vegan, never looked back, 3 years ago
It was a transition of a few years. I met a vegan couple who pretty much debunked the myth that you need animal protein to survive. That was the seed. I watched a bunch of heart breaking footage online afterwards and said no more. Wish I did it sooner.
It became obvious that my own choices had a much further reach than i had ever thought about. Animals, Health, Environment, abhorrent exploitation. Convincing the wife was the hard part. In the end we went vegan over night. Never looked back.
This is a lovely story. It seems that taking those close to us with us is very challenging. I find that quite distressing. I don't think I could ever develop a relationship or even a friendship with anyone who abuses animals. Just working with these people is difficult.
I was already a fair way along the path (largely thanks to vegan leftists), and I avoided watching Dominion for ages because I knew deep down that the excuses I told myself would no longer cut it. And then I watched Dominion (took me three goes to get through it all), and there was no turning back.
Came across a Compassion in World Farming magazine /leaflet when I was 15 back in 1988. Discovered the horrors of factory farming. Went vegan overnight, my mum too. Never looked back. 💔💚
Well done, Helen!
For me it was Singer's book @ 18!
Fast forward to today when my committee is exploring Ballot Box initiatives as a way to advance #animalrights during a hostile political climate.
What do you think of ballot initiatives / citizen referendums? https://winning-by-ballot.eventbrite.com
I had a dream I was in some chicken slaughterhouse and I could hear them screaming when they were killed. I don't know why I dreamt this, because at the time I didn't know how chickens were killed and I've never seen a slaughterhouse. But I never ate a chicken again. And am now vegan for 30+ years.
A short documentary on egg manufacturing. I still remember those poor hens crammed into filthy cages that were far too small for that many birds.
How about you?
For me it happened 25 years ago, we went for dinner to an Australian place that had kangaroo stakes. I couldn't eat it because I couldn't process how an animal as nice as wallaby, or kangaroo, is killed for food. For people who grew up in cities, I find it's often the direct contact with animals.
When we think of farms, we have an idealized version from a children book in mind. Pettson & Findus style. Then you go to California and drive through miles of pig and cow farms, and it's hell on earth.
Then, once you stop w/meat, you realize how much more energy you have, and it's a done deal.
It was a combination of factors, but watching undercover footage of factory farms was the turning point. Seeing the fear and suffering in those animals’ eyes was something I couldn’t unsee. It made me realize I had been complicit in their pain and inspired me to align my choices with my values...
I became veggie as a teen, thought that was enough until I met a couple of street activists (in '89) who shared truths about the dairy industry. It was a shock to learn I was still contributing to animal suffering, exploitation and slaughter. Gave up dairy immediately, eggs followed soon after 🌻💚
We just happened to watch What the Health, me and wife. Started right away, or I ate the fridge empty of Christmas leftovers. Vegan for over 5 years now.
That’s because the filmmakers were unethical liars who edited the film that way. Racing Extinction is a reputable film on the issue. Cowspiracy is a lie and made by liars.
Agreed. The film is an animal rights film masquerading as an environmental. I’ve no problem with an animal rights message but pushing it with lies at the expense of environmental organizations is disgusting & filmmakers should be ashamed. (Also Kip’s personal story in the film is an admitted lie).
Seed was first planted when I had to go to an abattoir for work, and witnessed a cow on the back of a truck who survived the kill line but was fatally wounded, and was being moved to another area for a reason unknown to me. 😢
I honestly don't know, a few years back I just started to get more and more uncomfortable with the idea of eating animal products. I gave them up for lent and never went back. It wasn't until months later that I discovered and started reading and engaging with ethical vegan discussions.
If I had to highlight a piece of media to help others make the step it would be Ed Winters' book "This Is Vegan Propaganda: (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You)"
It's a really tough read, I had to take multiple breaks because it was so heavy.
Especially the scene where they put her head in a thing and a guy with a bolt gun is about to kill her. The paradigm shift/wakeup thing I had made me cry for about 1/2 an hour
Watched the Earthlings documentary at 14 years old, violently sobbed all night under my covers, and have been vegan ever since. It was truly a traumatizing experience but I think everyone needs to watch it at least once.
Trying to find evidence that humans needed meat to be healthy. Started from a place of motivated reasoning but simply did not find the evidence to support it or any good reasons that were "worth" animals' lives or suffering.
it started with videos of pigs. you can really see their personalities and intelligence by how they interact with the world. after that i kept learning more and more about how different animals are treated & was horrified.
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I found it's not at all difficult once you see the problem
I was horrified & couldn’t believe what I was seeing, I had no idea it went on. That was it. Went vegan & never looked back.
#vegansky
#govegan
For me it was Singer's book @ 18!
Fast forward to today when my committee is exploring Ballot Box initiatives as a way to advance #animalrights during a hostile political climate.
What do you think of ballot initiatives / citizen referendums?
https://winning-by-ballot.eventbrite.com
How about you?
Then, once you stop w/meat, you realize how much more energy you have, and it's a done deal.
And I'm so much happier now. Guilt free happy healthy tasty food (and lifestyle)
https://Earthlings.com
It's a really tough read, I had to take multiple breaks because it was so heavy.
All made sense!