Why Vegan?

Animals are not “ours”. They are individuals with lives of their own not to be dominated or controlled by humans. Society objectifies animals and makes the irrational conclusion that animals cannot feel pain, think, or even possess emotions. This misconception allows people to carelessly continue consuming flesh, eggs, dairy and other “products” from sentient beings without questioning where, how and who it came from. Objectification authorizes abuse and killing; people are no longer required to think of animals as individuals, but rather products to be exchanged, priced and consumed. In addition, the greedy demand of consumers along with the profits industry rakes in is what perpetuates the murder, exploitation and abuse of non-human animals.

By demanding the flesh, eggs, dairy, skins, honey, etc. of animals, the consumer is also purchasing an animal's pain, agony and suffering. Most people are not innocent by-standers but directly participate – with their purchasing power – in the murder of billions of land animals and sea animals every year. Buying flesh, eggs, dairy, honey, and skins is an investment in and approval of murder, torture and cruelty. In addition, when a consumer purchases these “products” they perpetuate the so-called “normality” of mass slaughter waged against non-human animals and ignore the animals' pain. Each time a greedy dollar is laid down to buy a slab of flesh, a block of molding lactate, or a jar of bee vomit, the demand for the animal death toll increases. Consumers are hiring assassins to do their “dirty work” so that they may enjoy the “luxury” of eating or wearing someone else's flesh (etc). But what about the animal's luxury to life? The most precious thing we hold for ourselves – life – is so easily taken away from another being just as long as it doesn't affect us, or so people falsely believe.

Contrary to this misinformation, the meat industry has caused thousands of human illnesses and deaths every year (such as influenza outbreaks) due to the harboring of dangerous bacteria and viruses that spawn during slaughter. Moreover, humans are killing animals, only to kill themselves. Heart disease, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, cancer and obesity are directly linked to the consumption flesh, dairy and eggs and more humans are dying from these diseases each year. Pharmaceutical companies that excuse the torture of sentient beings for “human health” and drug safety are killing us faster . One out of every seven hospital beds are due to the failure of pharmaceutical drugs – tested safe on animals.

It should also be noted the Earth is destroyed due to factory farming and the slaughter of animals. Animal fecal matter and blood run-off from factory farms causes mass detriment to the environment such as contamination and poisoning (i.e. E-coli). In order to build the mass “feed lots” and buildings where animals are held captive, forests are demolished (also know as deforestation). In addition, animal agribusiness creates more greenhouse gas emission than cars and pollutes rivers, lakes, and oceans.

In conclusion, veganism is an ethical code and commitment to a life without flesh, dairy, eggs, honey, skins, furs or any other “products” derived and exploited from non-human animals. It is the rejection of the commodification of animals and respects each individual being to live without human constraints. Veganism is the commitment based on the rights of animals to live a life free of murder, abuse, enslavement and objectification. Although veganism benefits human health, we should adopt a vegan lifestyle for the animals and the Earth – not ourselves. It is time to abolish all animal exploitation and never compromise in the face of a perceived “threat”. There is no larger threat than all the animals who are abused, exploited and murdered every minute of the day. Animals count on you to act completely on their behalf, and there is no time for excuses.

Honestly stand up for all animals. Go vegan.

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A Special Thanks to Band Of Mercy - Los Angeles