This was originally published on Substack.
I am writing this on October 8th, after just unfollowing yet another large vegan platform on Instagram after seeing their blatant propaganda.
I used to think going vegan would mean I would be met with loving, kind people, and yet all I see is calls for violence and bloodshed. They used to be good at hiding it, but after October 7th 2023, no one even pretends anymore.
Vegan platforms that used to promote values like compassion and unity are now posting calls for genocide of Jewish people, spreading anti-democratic messaging, and using the vegan movement to reach a wider audience.
People who were first in line shouting to “believe women” are now the first in line denying mass rapes. People who were first in line defending indigenous rights are now first in line calling for the genocide of Jewish people from their ancestral land. People who are shouting on the streets, “stop the genocide”, are also waving Jihadi flags and celebrating murders of Zionists.
The quotes “I don’t care about your boos, I’ve seen what makes you cheer”, and “They don’t kill you because you’re a Nazi; they call you a Nazi so they can kill you” have never been truer.
I first realised I would be standing alone as a vegan advocate when I was labelled a “fake vegan” in 2017, after talking about the dangers of open borders in Europe. Now I am called a fake vegan for wanting the hostages to be returned home.
I was scared to write this post because, as an aspiring writer, I know that my niche is now too small to make me a professional writer anytime soon, but how can I claim to be a real writer if I censor myself?
How can I call for the liberation of non-human animals when I am living in a cage?
So this is for everyone who cares about non-human animals but has never felt at home in the larger community. Or for those who want to live vegan, but are afraid of being the only centrist, conservative, Zionist, capitalist, etc. in the movement.
You are not alone, and you don’t have to be.
Here are 5 ways to belong and thrive as an unorthodox vegan:
- Find an outlet to channel your emotions into.
This can be journaling, meditation, prayer, forest bathing, or a therapy session. Any outlet that allows you to pour out your heart and mind, and go within your soul to find the strength you need.
- Have a daily practice to connect to your values.
If you have a companion animal in your home, spend some time every day being with them and consciously paying attention.
We are seeking animal liberation, the end of animal exploitation, which means we must stay connected to those we are fighting for. If you don’t have other animals in your home, go to nature. Plenty of non-human animals there.
- Reach out to similar minds online.
While I intend to create my Substack page to be a hub for “outsider” vegans, you can find countless other places to connect. There are 8 billion people on Earth, so trust me, with a little effort, you can find your tribe.
Prepare to be rejected and insulted, but know that the more you reach out and ask for love, the faster you will receive it.
- Stay peaceful in the face of hate and intolerance.
The world is not the kindest place for those who don’t meet the criteria set up by people who think everyone who is 1% different from them is a fascist. I wish I were only shading one side, but every group has this weakness.
I’m struggling with this as time to time I still reply to rage posts, and then delete them a day later in shame of falling for bait. But I have one thing that protects my integrity and values: I never told anyone they deserve to die for being different.
Be better than them.
- Practice courage.
Everything I’ve said so far has been in the same vein. Practising courage, bravery and doing what is right.
Do you know what all the greatest people who stopped wars, brought peace and saved countless lives had in common? They followed their values and ignored people who threw stones at their feet.
I’ve been vegan for 10 years for other animals, not the people. I’m not the type of person to impress others by fitting in; I learned soon enough that standing my ground meant standing alone most of the time.
I’m a strong woman, so I don’t mind.
Vegans demand peace, so we must be peaceful. We can’t demand it from hypocrites, as they are blind to their hypocrisy. We must demand it from ourselves, because we should be better than our “enemies”.
There should be no enemies, actually, and we can be the reason the vegan movement becomes more tolerant of others. I’m not writing about peace because I am always peaceful, but because I know what I want from others.
I get angry, enraged and sometimes tell people to go fuck themselves, but ultimately, I do want kindness to prevail. And for the millionth time, it always starts within ourselves.
To quote Martin Luther King Jr: “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Tanja
