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IS YOUR VEGANISM DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INFLUENCE OF A RELATIONSHIP? I have to admit that a significant number of survey responders did not understand the first question. But somehow, there were plentiful good responses to the question: IS YOUR VEGANISM DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INFLUENCE OF A RELATIONSHIP? Many of the responders came to their veganism from a relationship's influence (whether it be a parent, sibling, spouse, lover, friend, child, activist or a non-human animal.) But even more said they made the choice all on their own or that they self-educated themselves. Numerous responders mentioned their relationship to animals as the major influence. Others said it was their relationship to the planet, to logic, to the Great Spirit, etc. A large percentage of survey responders were influenced by books/DVD's rather than a relationship. It became apparent just how good books and educational materials are at spreading the message, so share your books!! Frequently mentioned materials were: John Robbins's books, especially DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA, the book, SKINNY BITCH, the book, THE CHINA STUDY, the film, EARTHLINGS, the films, THE PEACABLE KINGDOM and THE WITNESS, the video, MEAT YOUR MEAT (P.E.T.A.), the book, MAD COWBOY, the book, VEGAN FREAK. Other responders mentioned influences like P.C.R.M. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) and S.A.F.E. (Save Animals from Exploitation) or attending animal rights workshops/camps by organizations like Farm Sanctuary or P.E.T.A., etc. The second question is related in that many of the same titles/authors were mentioned. With the second question, 'HAVE YOU INFLUENCED OTHERS TO BECOME VEGAN?' you will see an array of thoughts from 'It's my life's mission' to 'I don't try anymore'. Some responders feel so judged and ridiculed when trying to share the facts, and have thus become quiet about advocating veganism in society. Many let books/DVD's/literature/websites do the speaking for them. Many believe just being an example is the best approach. Numerous responders shared their disbelief in people who won't listen or won't change, even after hearing about the horrific conditions animals are subjected to. Once again, we see the overall conclusion, there are vegans and there are vegans. Some try to play it a certain way in society, so as to dispel the stereotype of the 'nutty' or 'uptight' vegan. Quite a few responders said they had not converted a lot of people (or any) to veganism, but have influenced them to make more ethical choices, or to be vegetarian, at least. The second question evoked a powerful assortment of responses.
QUESTION 1: IS YOUR VEGANISM DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INFLUENCE OF A RELATIONSHIP? "No. I chose it after watching "Meet your Meat". I had been vegetarian since I was 14, but that video was the deciding factor to go vegan." "No, I became vegan at a time when I had never met another vegan." "My veganism is related to a Farm Sanctuary Conference I attended about 3.5 years ago." "My veganism is indeed related directly to the influence of a relationship. In fact, my veganism is directly related to my relationship with every life from on the face of this beautiful earth and born out of a concern for the wellbeing of those beings, despite our physical differences. Also, I was introduced to the brilliance of veganism by a school research report written by my friend, Punawai, who was at one time the caretaker at Gentle World property in New Zealand. Having always loved animals and growing up on a farm where I was constantly confronted and heart broken by the death of the creatures I had loved and cared for, Veganism came as a ray of light, shining glory and hope into a dark existence. Once protected from the harsh realities of the industries profiting excessively from animal cruelty, a burning desire to expose these injustices was awoken within me." "Not really, but my boyfriend has gone vegan after watching certain documentaries together, like 'BARAKA' and 'EARTHLINGS'. He has decided to go nearly vegan a month after I decided to go vegan." "I became vegan because of living in vegan communities - 'The Farm' in Tennessee and later a Zen Temple in Korea." "I read an article about animals raised for food in the Yoga Journal about 20+ years ago, and I just knew I had to change my diet. I was vegetarian for 12 years, and then my daughter took a job with the North American Vegetarian Society. Then we attended their 'Summerfest' conference where our awareness was raised about dairy cows and laying hens, and that solidified our decision to go vegan." "I became a vegetarian before I understood how important the decision was, at 9 years old." "I became vegetarian with my ex-boyfriend, freshman year of high school. Together we took part in the animal welfare club at school and learned more about the cruelty that is inflicted on animals, and how to end it. We both went our separate ways, but each of us has taken our love for animals to the next level by living a vegan lifestyle." "Yes, I became vegan because my parents became vegan. They explained their reasoning to me and I agreed." "Yes, my veganism directly relates and influences my relationships. I won't date anyone who isn't vegan; that is non-negotiable. As far as friendships go; I have friends who are not vegan, but they understand and respect my choices. They know if they come over for dinner, there will be no meat or any dishes containing animal products. I haven't had any complaints yet, they love my cooking and I love to introduce them to delicious vegan dishes I create." "No, but from reading DIET FOR A NEW AMERICA back in the late 80's." "No. It is prompted by a deep abiding respect for non-human animals." "Sort of; the relationship of mother to child. After commencing breast feeding my daughter, I felt I could no longer steal the milk of another mother." "People influence us everyday; it is no different for me. Many wonderful people inspired me, and continue to do so. Thus, my veganism is the product of many streams of inspiration." "No, it was purely my own decision, although vegan friendships definitely help through any down times." "No, I read the lyrics of the song 'Sheep' on Pink Floyd's Animals CD." "When I went fishing with my father at age 6 and watched fish die, I knew I wanted to be a vegetarian." "Yes, my girlfriend had me watch Earthlings." "No, I stared reading books such as MAD COWBOY and DIET FOR A SMALL PLANET and FAST FOOD NATION. My decision to go vegan was heavily influenced by what I read and continue to read in the way of health and dietary studies. Additionally, I feel better and my doctor has said 'Whatever it is you eat and do, keep doing it!' My health is excellent." "No, it was an inner calling." "I was a vegetarian until I heard a cow crying for her calf, and she called for about 36 hours." "Yes. I had never even heard the word vegan before I met the man of my dreams who is and was a vegan. I was totally impressed and won over by his vegan ways..." "My vegan girlfriend was the initial cause for my veganism, but now it goes far beyond our relationship. I am committed, and even if we broke up I would remain vegan, and remain outspoken on animal rights issues." "For the most part, no. It was something I decided after having researched on my own through reading and prayer. One thing was how many of the great spiritual leaders and great minds were/are vegetarians or vegans..." "Sort of. The diabetes that the awful eating caused led me to learn how to treat it and I found P.C.R.M. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) and Dr. Barnard's vegan diet for reversing diabetes. In a way, the diabetes was a blessing because it gave me standing in my husband's eyes to demand my own food and because it brought me to veganism, which I'd wanted to embrace for decades but had found 'too difficult' before. (The internet makes it a lot easier now than it used to be.)" "Yes, the Christchurch Vegetarian Centre. I changed from vegetarian to vegan after watching a film on animal rights at their Film Festival 2006 and most of their committee members are vegan." "Yes; I met a vegan girl in 2001 who helped me to understand the compromises of lacto-vegetarianism and who guided me in finding dairy-free products. She put no emotional pressure upon me, but being with her gave me the encouragement I needed to convert." "... No. I was more influenced by books. I read John Robbins's THE FOOD REVOLUTION and asked myself why I couldn't do this. I made myself confront my own stereotypes of what a vegan was. When I couldn't find any good excuses, I did it. And I haven't looked back." "Yes, I was introduced to it by the founders of Gentle World, Inc.; (a non-profit educational organization that promotes a plant-based diet and lifestyle.) It makes life easier to have the support of other vegans." "Yes, my veganism is directly a result of having a passionate vegan daughter. She was a vegetarian from the age of 4, when she discovered that chewy sweets had gelatin in them and stopped eating them. Then I realized I had to take her seriously. She has been vegan since the age of 12. That is some commitment in a family of meat-eaters, as we were then. She found out more and more and more and passed the information on about health benefits, frequently leading me to do my own research." "It is directly related to Robin Lane, now co-facilitator of the London Vegan Festival, whom I first met in 1983." "No, it is due to learning and removing the culturally conditioned blinders we grow up with." "About 14 years ago, with no prior discussion, my husband came home from work and suggested we go vegetarian. So we did and eventually became vegan. This shared commitment makes our marriage stronger." "Living in a city that is so incredibly vegan-friendly inspired us to become vegan ourselves." "Certainly. Through my work on the www.vegansa.com directory." "It started with my second son. He saw P.E.T.A's 'MEET YOUR MEAT' and showed it to me. We both went vegan in a moment." "Yes. We both decided to go vegan for health reasons after reading a few books and watching some video's like Jill Ovnick's VEGAN GAL." "Yes. My relationship with science and logic. Dr. Klaper explained the science and common sense behind it and it was immediately and forever implemented." "My relationship to the planet." "Yes, my veganism came after seeing a TV programme called 'Living with the Enemy' in which a lovely vegan called John went to stay with a livestock farmer. His gentleness, reason and dignity gave me the impetus I needed to make the change. Years later, I met him and gave him a great big hug!" "My veganism is directly related to my involvement in a website: www.crueltyfree.com When I joined, I was a vegetarian, but I soon learned the truth about where milk and eggs came from and went vegan. Best decision of my life." "I decided to become vegan because of my relationship with a goat. While visiting a friend in California, I helped bottle feed a kid that had been found by the roadside, suffering from a broken leg. The goat was believed to have fallen off a truck full of kids being taken to slaughter, so their mother's milk could be used for (my favorite) goat cheese instead of its proper use, feeding it's young. The relationship between dairy and death could not have been made clearer to me; the Spirit at work." "Yes. I was a vegetarian for 23 years when my wife of 6 years convinced me to attend a P.E.T.A. meeting. She was a vegetarian at the time. I read ANIMAL LIBERATION on the train ride to Norfolk, and became a vegan within an hour of arriving at the PETA reception. Without my wife's prompting, I wouldn't have gone to see P.E.T.A., and I wouldn't have read ANIMAL LIBERATION. Both o these were essential to changing my perspective, and she was essential to me embracing them." "...at an animal right's camp, I saw an image of a cow with udders so hugely distended by the milk producing drugs, she could barely walk. It was an instant, visceral thing, having seen that image, I just couldn't stomach, let alone justify, having a cow suffer like that just so I could have my morning cappuccino ..." QUESTION 2: HAVE YOU INFLUENCED OTHERS TO BECOME VEGAN? HOW? "Yes, through vegan cooking classes that I have taught in the Houston area since 1987, speeches and presentations: Vegetarian Roots: The Fascinating and little known history of Vegetarianism. Also, on the radio; I am co-founder of Go Vegan Texas! on Houston's KPFT radio. The show has recently changed the name to Vegan World Radio and can be found at www.veganworldradio.org" "Yes, my partner, after reading some of my vegan-related and animal rights books, and trying my cooking and seeing how easy it is to live a vegan lifestyle, he saw it as the right thing to do." "I talk to anyone about veganism that crosses my path for even a few minutes at a time. I always find some way to broach the topic. I hand out and leave 'WHY VEGAN'S' (literature from Vegan Outreach) all over. I don't know if I've converted anyone, but I've planted many seeds." "Yes, through preparing delicious vegan food, free vegan cooking classes, events, seminars, writing and publishing articles, vegan restaurant, co-authoring INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS; RECIPES FOR A NEW PARADIGM (by Gentle World), talking to everyone, my website and book: www.veganpoet.com" "Yes, mainly through my lectures, my book, my articles, my example (according to what people say) and so forth. I've been working at spreading veganism for over 25 years, and get many emails from people saying that because of my writing, they've gone vegan." "Yes, mainly through my music; I play in several all-vegan bands." "Yes, I have a strong influence because I am a good vegan representative. I tend to practice what I preach and be a good example myself." "Yes, through cooking, kind-heartedness and teaching. I also threw together a brochure to give people who ask questions; that way they get more information than they would be willing to sit through me speaking!" "I have encouraged people to research, and my dad, his girlfriend and my partner are now vegan. My previous partner is now vegetarian. (Previously all were omni)." "Yes, I actively encourage people to go vegan. It's a wonderful part of my life and I love to share it with others. If people ask for information, recipes or advice, I go out of my way to make it available for them." "I've done a vegan newsletter for 6 years. My wife and I have started a farm animal sanctuary and we pass out vegan literature at animal events in Reno. I also do a mainstream companion animal blog for the daily newspaper in Reno, where I bring up veganism somewhat regularly." "Yes! I never preach and don't criticize. I always approach from a place of compassion, education and passion. I try to lead by example and throw vegan-specific information wherever I can. I determine what the best approach is, as well (i.e. health, animal abuse, or environment)." "I have directly handed out over 250,000 pieces of literature related to veganism at demonstrations, college campuses, street/music festivals, etc. I have later bumped into several people who have been affected by a conversation or piece of literature, or movie screening. I know I can make a positive change in my community." "I have never hidden it and share my thoughts with people who ask. But I don't push them to become vegan. In my experience, people who are more influenced by others and use those others as their motivation are not as strong in their convictions. If problems arose with those people, they are very likely not to continue. I admire those who come to it on their own as they have given the idea much consideration and therefore more likely to adhere and inspire others. The vegan movement is only as strong as their weakest link." "Yes my friend became vegan a few months ago. She was already vegetarian for years, and after I went vegan, I told her how easy it was. After awhile, she decided to try it herself. She was also inspired by SKINNY BITCH. When she told me she was going vegan, I let her borrow my copy of VEGAN FREAK and took her to Shangri-la Diner in St. Louis. She was so excited at first, and always sent me text messages about the new vegan things she was trying." "I give a 'Power Point Presentation' on veganism to schools and other groups. I do educational outreach tables and other events. I work at a vegetarian natural foods store and give 'vegan tours' of vegan products and info on the vegan lifestyle." "Just by being true to myself and walking my own path, while answering the questions of others about food and animal abuse, etc. And giving them resources in the form of sites, books, and DVD's (like Earthlings and The Witness)." "You can never be the sole influence to get someone to go veggie or vegan, but you can be a large contributing factor. Sometimes people will never tell you; I never had the chance to tell the people who influenced me. However many people over the years have said I, or something I made happen, influenced them to go veggie/vegan. The main way is by showing it is possible. Being healthy, happy, involved, informative but never preaching. Being part of the wider community, not separate from it. Being involved in positive activism such as free food fairs, info events, giving talks (e.g. on bringing up children vegan and doing veggie/vegan talks in schools.)" "Yes, mostly through the Adopt-a-College program in Vegan Outreach, where you just go and leaflet colleges. Also tabling and visits and schools." "Yes. Example, mostly. Articulate reasoning when required. I am very active as a vegan/A.R. advocate, including public speaking engagements and blogging. I've had numerous people tell me they went vegan as a result of reading a blog entry, hearing a speech, or being my friend long enough to realize that they were not behaving consistent with their morals." "I'm trying to plant lots of vegan seeds wherever I go." "I have influenced a few people to adopt a whole-foods, plant-based diet. As for adopting a non-violent philosophy such as veganism, I believe I have affected some change. Sadly, the focus for many people continues to centre around human health, not the overall health of our planet and its many species." "If someone is interested in my life choices and asks questions, then I'll answer their questions. But, I'm not one to give unsolicited advice." "Probably one friend anyway. I think she was always interested in becoming vegan, but felt it was too confusing or difficult. After seeing how easy it was for me, she decided to try it herself! It's been about 2 years for her." "One! Just by answering questions and by forwarding details of the 'Vegan Campaign-Vegan Pledge' for a month that took place in Jan-Feb 2008." "Yes, mostly through our website: www.all-creatures.org" "Yes, by my energy, the way I look and my compassion." "I organize groups on 'meet-up.com'." "Yes, I have a vegan catering company...www.myvegancuisine.com" "Over the years, yes, I've talked about it to a lot of people and have convinced some to become vegan. I also reach people through my website: www.veganpeace.com" "I hope so. My bottom line is non-violence, and I mention that whenever asked about my reasons." "Lots. I am a holistic medical doctor. Socially, people say I look healthy and vital, and I think that influences them to consider it. I am thin and most people are jealous. My late husband became vegan after our first date." "Yes, usually by speaking at colleges." "Yes, I am proud to have been told by a handful of people that I had a major influence in their choice to become vegan. One of them told me that he was swayed by my cooking. He was shown by example that vegan food can be delicious and satisfying. He and his vegan wife are now raising two vegan children!" "I generally just answer people's questions about veganism; I don't bring it up much since people see that as 'preaching' or whatever. As a result, a few people who have known me for a long time have attempted veganism. My brother went vegan when I did, simply by me just explaining why vegetarianism isn't enough, and he agreed right away. Other people, I think they just need to be around it for a long time for them to really consider what they're doing as wrong." "Yes, by letting them know the Truth." "I work with a project called Try Vegan PDX and we organized a week long vegan mentoring program in our city. We are keeping the program and monthly events going here." "I think that we are all at different levels in our lives, and we all have to make our own choices. I'll share information with others if they ask or are interested, but I don't try to push my beliefs on others. I have areas I still need to make changes...don't we all?" "I have tried in the past to educate others how animals are tortured in factory farms, but they ignore me." "Yes, through casual conversation, NOT through confrontation, or hostile attitudes." "Yes, by informing people of what products are available as alternatives and what stores they can best locate them. Sometimes, I have had to describe or direct people to the book SLAUGHTERHOUSE or graphic websites to see the truth, if they are not convinced." "...but generally people think veganism would be too hard to be worthwhile. I don't really care about influencing people most of the time. The planet is choking on fast-breeding humans and their pollution; it doesn't matter what I think or do." "At least one person, who I spent hours chatting to at a free-food fair we were running, went vegan from our talk. I met her again after 6 months from our initial chat, she looked a new person. She looked 10 years younger and considerably more attractive...." "Several, but the work is far from done." "Maybe, I tell people why I'm vegan but I don't preach. Nothing puts me off more than preachers!" "A friend of mine became vegan after me; I hope I was a positive influence. He also came along to the Bristol Vegan Fayre." "Most recently one of the most effective things I did was start Team Vegan in New Zealand; a sports team for vegans. Several people went vegan just to join. They were all vegetarian and with vegan friends, and it was the final influence to tip the scale, I guess." "YES! Through my vegan youth group and camp programs, I have helped many a child and parent go vegan. Most of the kids who come are not vegan, but all the food served to them, and messages served to them, are fully vegan. They ask questions. We discuss. Ultimately, I start hearing from miscellaneous children and parents that they would like to go vegan. I happily help them along the way." "Yes, but via many different ways: some by example, others by direct appeals to them. Most powerfully, I think, is simply creating the soil and community space for non-vegans to meet more vegans. I think this is the single best thing to be done by the ordinary vegan. Keep veganizing the space around us, keep tilling the soil." "Yes, I print a monthly newsletter and I tell my testimony all the time." "Yes, by providing a shining example of health, happiness, and supreme vitality while being devoutly vegan." "...I know that, if I get even the slightest chance to help the meat-eaters become vegans, without them shouting me down and ignoring me all the time, I will manage to turn some people vegan. I have made it my mission for the next few years to turn as many people vegan as possible. I need to help the animals." "I tried and failed. Most people only think of themselves and are too greedy and lazy to do what, in their hearts, they know is the right thing." "My Sweet Winifred Soulforce died a few months short of her 14th birthday. Winnie, as I called her, was my first pet. When she died the bottom fell out of my world. A few months after her death, I was listening to 'Go Vegan Texas', a radio show on Pacifica Radio 90.1 FM. I happened upon the show where Bruce Friedrich of PETA fame was talking about factory farming. He told us how animals suffer on the way to slaughter houses, how baby calves arrive alive and literally half frozen to meat packing plants and then are dumped on to steel slabs and beheaded, how male chicks are brutally slung against walls to die because they are of no use to the food industry, etc ... Usually a squeamish and overly sensitive person, I did not turn off the radio. I just knew the animals needed me to be a witness and I should honor them by listening to every word of their suffering. "I'm the founder of Maqi - for Animal Rights, Against Speciesism (our web sites: maqi.de) and many other web sites in German and English. One in particular German site (in English means) 'Vegetarians are murders', has made many, many vegans" "I would not have gone vegan without my wife's influence. When she was in college (and we were living together, but not yet married), she saw some PETA videos, and was driven to investigate more. I was lazy, and tended to push away the standard arguments against omnivorism---I'd say things like, 'There's no way those practices are typical. Farmers are decent people, because it's easy to keep doing what one's used to. She was the one with the diligence to actually research everything and ultimately persuaded me that going vegan is the right thing for us to do." "No although I have tried. It seems a moot point in this area. No one wants to listen. Everyone insists that God intended for us to eat animals or animals would overrun the world if we didn't eat them and blah, blah, blah ... I've even gotten a few people to watch the video 'meat your meat' which saddens me. Others say yes it is horrible but continue to eat meat! I don't get it! It's so discouraging, I sometimes don't even mention my eating habits to people anymore." "Yes. Through my blog http://www.goingbananasblog.com - I have people telling me often that I am helping make better life decisions." "My husband; just by telling him the cruelty of dairy farms." "We did adopt our dog from Eddie Lama (The Witness), and that was when we moved from a vegetarian to vegan lifestyle, although we ate very little dairy products even as vegetarians." "Yes, via my book and talks. I also am an Ambassador to THE PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIBLE MEDICINE who promotes veganism." "Yes, many people, just by being vegan, not by preaching. I also have a vegan blog." "My husband is vegan because of me. He was an omni when I met him years ago. When he moved in with me, I only cooked vegetarian food and he loved it. He still ate meat when we went out to eat, though. When I became vegan I began only cooking vegan food in the home. He was very impressed with the food I was making. One day, one of my Animal Times magazines from PETA came in the mail and I found him sitting in the living room crying as he read the articles. He said that he was never going to eat meat again and that he was becoming a vegetarian. It was only about two weeks after he became vegetarian that I was able to convince him to become vegan. I explained to him the reasons that I became vegan and had read him articles about why it was the healthier choice for himself and the world. It did not take long to convince him." "Sometimes people just need an example." "Being vegan at Texas A & M (where it was not unusual to see a calf in the back of a pick-up drive through campus and the shrieks of pigs from the on-campus butchering building were prominent) and in Forth Worth ('cow town') was definitely not easy. Not finding many alternative foods was the least of my stresses." |