Veganism and the Black Lives Matter Movement

Most importantly, let us first listen to the voices of some of those at the center of the Black Lives Matter Movement:

Invisible Vegan Weekly 16: Black Lives Matter Part 1 (Jasmine C. Leyva)

Jasmine C. Leyva directed The Invisible Vegan, “a documentary that explores the problem of unhealthy dietary patterns in the African-American community, foregrounding the health and wellness possibilities enabled by plant-based vegan diets and lifestyle choices.”

Veganism, social justice and intersectionality (Omowale Adewale)

Omowale Adewale is the founder of Black VegFest. Black VegFest “is about consciously supporting black people in every shape and form and using our voices to defend the voiceless animals!” Read Black VegFest’s 7 points of Allyship for the White Vegan Community in Defense of Black Lives here.

(Editorial Piece Written by LGP Founder, Zef Rem).

Why is veganism mutually inclusive of the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement?

Perhaps you are vegan. Perhaps you are white. Perhaps you do not yet fully resonate with the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, let’s talk about why veganism and the Black Lives Matter movement go hand in hand.

What is Veganism?

At its core, in my experience, veganism is an expression of universal compassion and respect for all beings. Veganism is a lifestyle rooted in love. Those who consider themselves ethical vegans have accepted that acting towards other beings with violence, and oftentimes prolonged cruelty, is simply not tolerable.

Veganism is an Extension of the Golden Rule

Do onto others as you would have others do unto you. If you want to be treated with care and respect, act so unto others.

The United States and the Black Lives Matter Movement

What is happening in the US and around the globe right now is an awakening of consciousness. That which has been sought after for so long is now being demanded by millions of people.

It is an awakening and call to action for those who believe in the equal treatment of all people, no matter their skin-tone, ethnicity, or cultural background.

Interrelated Systems of Oppression

Veganism and the Black Lives Matter movement both seek mutual and fundamental goals: equality, freedom from oppression, and compassion for all.

People who are vegan may indeed realize that support for Black Lives Matter is an essential step towards equity for all beings.

The collective consciousness of humanity is going through growing pains. Right now, humanity is hearing the voices of those who have been systematically mistreated over the span of many generations.

As we learn to treat other humans with equality, respect, and love, these conscious values will permeate the human experience and the human psyche. As people become more aware of their own privileges, the suffering of others, and how we can together create a more equitable, peaceful, and resilient society, the presence of compassion in the world will increase.

The Dawn of Collective Consciousness

I believe that the birth of the internet represents the true birth of global consciousness. We are living in a shared world and a shared experience now more than ever.

The internet has given rise a sense of interconnectedness and the potential to organize like never before.

Now is the Time

This is a tragic, yet potentially beautiful moment in history. The plight of the oppressed is being exposed. Brutality is being protested en masse.

Those with privilege have the opportunity to be a part of the solution to end oppression and brutality – to use their voices for the advancement of all beings.

This beautiful step for humanity can also be a beautiful step for all beings on Earth.

Let us join together to create a world of equal treatment for all. No being should suffer arbitrary violence or oppression. Let us all work towards a bright future that sees an end to mass incarceration, an end to brutality, an end to modern slavery, an end to sex-trafficking, an end to factory farming, an end to injustice everywhere.

Open yourself to being an agent of evolution. Open yourself to the utmost love for all beings. Open yourself to possibility. Together, let us create the most beautiful vision – heaven on earth for all.