EPISODE TWO: That’s the Motto, Y.G.V.O

Be encouraged to reject vegan narratives, activists or platforms that disregard your lived experiences, promote white supremacy, contradict your values, or commit violence to one or more of your identities.

EPISODE TWO:

That’s the Motto, Y.G.V.O.

(You Only “Go Vegan” Once.)

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Three Word Check-In: Tired, Grateful, Serene

Affirmation: I am Resilient

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Black/Brown Vegan You Should Know:

Jamila Anahata, The Soulful Veganista

What is Conscious Living?

Conscious Living is Activism

 Afro-Vegan Society 

Recipes

Jamila’s IG is @thesoulfulveganista 

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Background Info: Definition of Veganism 

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Discussion: That’s the Motto, YGVO

1. If you want to eat as a vegan does for your own health reasons, then thats wonderful, but do vegan activists a favor by just not using the word “vegan” on your platform and in your interactions.
2. If you are only plant-based for health, I’d suggest referring to your platform as plant-based or even just healthy. It is true that some vegan diets are optimal for health and fitness, but I feel as though that should all stay over there. Reasons to Go Vegan videos are becoming watered down by the diet culture and fat-phobic rhetoric to the point where I actually don’t blame people making “going vegan” a New Year Resolution. It is up to us to discern our platforms to provide more authentic vegan resources.
3. It is actually helpful to the narrative that a plant-based lifestyle is healthy without portraying veganism as a completely diet-related effort that sometimes considers compassion. Be transparent about the fact that your plant-based lifestyle 
4. If you want to use the word vegan, bring your values to your platform. If you’re not in the place to bring the entirety of veganism to your platform, remove veganism from your brand.
5. Veganuary is a reflection of the fact that mainstream white vegans jump at every small interest in veganism, then throw people away when they don’t end up pursuing the lifestyle holistically or long-term. They do so without realizing the gaps in their activism that lead people to believe this is a single issue campaign and a knee-jerk decision.

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Forward Item

Find your “Why” allow it to blossom.

Allow your why to  take up space in different areas.

Seek the reasoning that resonates for you.

Clarify why it resonates, and carry this resonance throughout your interaction with vegan content.

Expose yourself to several arguments.

Be encouraged to reject vegan narratives, activists or platforms that disregard your lived experiences, promote white supremacy, contradict your values, or commit violence to one or more of your identities.

Also, be encouraged to just reject certain arguments within the vegan movement without rejecting veganism as a whole. 

Peace!