For any new vegans (and with love for any existing vegans)

For any new vegans (and with love for any existing vegans!)

This awakening may be difficult for some of you at first. Many long-term vegans such as myself have similar stories – of when we finally SAW the world for what it really is…and realized we had been brainwashed.

We initially feel encouraged and enthusiastic and feel absolutely sure that people will change once they KNOW what is really going on, and how much we have been misled. We seek ways to get the information to others, and share our newly discovered realization of the discrimination and exploitation we inflict on others.

Then the reality begins to seep in - your enthusiastic response to stopping these horrors and complete planetary destruction is met by those who seek only to absolve themselves of responsibility for their choices, or rationalize them. It is possible some members of your family will ridicule you or even shun you, and many will simply refuse to listen to you or hear you at all. There is little in life as frustrating and hurtful as being utterly dismissed by people you love and respect.

If you make posts, comments, or videos about veganism you may get a range of hurtful, ignorant comments, some so mean you can hardly believe your eyes/ears. Some of your friends may distance themselves from you, some may even mock you. Coming face-to-face with the horrors they support can sometimes even cause a very angry reaction.

You may get intimidated initially (this wears off for most of us!!!) at the response you are getting, and can even feel a bit confused or down. You may even wonder if you really have gone bat-shit crazy! I assure you that you have not and you are NOT alone! Stand your ground and do not let people insult you or your incredibly admirable and noble ethics.

You can be as kind and as tactful as possible and still people may be upset. Eventually you worry less about how others will react, but recognize that it is often impossible to state fact and not have some claim to feel insulted. Always be as kind as you can, but ultimately remember that the actions of nonvegans every day is FAR WORSE than anything you could ever say about it (sticks and stones), so do not let them place blame or burden their negativity onto you.

With regards to educating others – Be prepared for insistence on positions that are easily disproved. Be prepared to prove them false and still be insisted upon!!! You will soon realize that educating the willfully deaf and blind is impossible! NEVER let anyone’s disinterest in reality and truth quell your passion for justice and peace.

You may never know how many lives you have touched/impacted, but you should ALWAYS KNOW that you ARE making a difference! People who comment will suddenly become an expert on nutrition, protein, health, environment, raising animals, farming, etc. Feel confident in your ethical choices, but it is also critical that you back up your ethics with education and knowledge so we can be best effective in reaching the thinking humans out there and having educated discussions.

People who want to learn will seek truth. You cannot accept sole responsibility for the dissemination of knowledge or the behavior of others. People will blame your approach, your style, your tactics, your pictures, etc. This is purely defensive tactic. One who seeks information will learn information. All you can really do is ensure the information is readily available and circulated as much as possible. You are not to blame for anyone else’s chosen ignorance or questionable character.

We are a vicious species. Your mind may be blown by the things you will read and see. Some really appalling, scary, and incredibly sad things are happening every day. Sadly, you will sometimes find an utter lack of true empathy from your fellow humans. This too is terrifying.

It is unlikely anyone is going to stand up and cheer for you. You have to have a solid backbone and you should NOT allow people to bully you or make you feel embarrassed for being RIGHT. Vegans are on the correct side of history.

Vegans are looked upon as extreme - you will be seen as extreme.
Let me tell you something that is 100% INDISPUTABLE:

BEING COVERED IN THE BLOOD OF VULNERABLE ANIMALS IS WHAT IS *EXTREME*.

Vegans have simply woken up to a backward society of shocking violence that is wrongfully considered *normal*.

IT IS NOT NORMAL.

VEGAN IS NORMAL.
NONVEGAN IS EXTREME.
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