Why I Became A Vegan

Self-Righteous Vegans.

There is an issue in the vegan community that I would like to address here: self-righteous vegans. The kind of vegans that accuse people of "not loving animals" if you eat meat, the vegans that beat you over the head with a block of tofu if you're seen with a piece of cheese, the vegans that even condemn people for eating vegan meat-substitutes (because they're "too realist" and are "encouraging meat-eating")... I think you know the people I'm talking about. They are the vegans that give us a bad rap. They are the vegans that makes the rest of us wish they would drown in their soymilk and leave us alone. Okay, okay, maybe that's a bit too harsh, but you get my meaning. I would like to apologize on behalf of the self-righteous vegans, and let you know that we are not all like that. Most vegans are everyday people who truly love the world, and just want it to be a more compassionate place. Not all of us are "extremists"; most of us will state our opinions if asked, be willing to engage in a mature discussion about veganism, and will politely share our conflicting opinions in a kind and loving way. That's what veganism is really all about: love. Love for animals. Love for the environment. Love for people. Veganism not only benefits the animals, but can improve the quality of life for the people of this planet, as well. Condemning, mocking, or criticizing omnivores will only succeed to make them angry and defensive, and will not help them understand the vegan lifestyle any better. If you've been hurt by a self-righteous vegan, I am sorry. And if you are a vegan, and you find yourself condemning others- even in your thoughts- you need to make sure your heart is in the right place before trying to help others understand your point of view. There's a difference between being passionate about an issue, and being plain disrespectful.