It means, if nothing else, that you are a witness.
On a continual basis, you are bearing witness to the cruelty and atrocity waged on innocent sentient beings, and while that may sound passive, it really isn't. Seeing, recognizing and acknowledging what others refuse to see, is the first step in changing reality.
Being vegan also means that you're a humanist and a feminist. A human rights advocate, animal rights advocate, a poverty advocate, and a peace advocate. In short, and to sum it all up, YOU are a truth advocate.
You're a student and a teacher, learning and imparting knowledge as you go. You may be a mentor and/or mentee, a mover and a shaker, and some of you are even leaders.
You're an artist and a rebel, a dreamer and a visionary (What is now proved was once, only imagin’d. --William Blake), and a poet.
You're an optimist, an idealist, and a realist all rolled into one.
You're a gardener. Literally, if you happen to grow your own veggies or flower beds, or figuratively as you plant seeds of compassion and change. You're an environmentalist, championing the cause of our host planet and ALL her guests. You're even a nutritionist of sorts, as you pay more attention to what your body needs than most.
You're a warrior for all sentient beings, plus a conscientious objector to the unholy and horrific war on animals.
You're an intersectionist, deconstructionist, and systems analyst as you figure out how justice issues intersect, and how different political, economic and cultural forces collide and collude in keeping oppression alive.
You may be tired, or suffer from compassion fatigue, or even PTSD as unrelenting cruelty will affect anyone trying to make this world a better place. What you are NOT though, is crazy (although living in an insane world can certainly be crazy making), and you are definitely not a domestic terrorist no matter what the real terrorists may claim.
What you ARE is strong, and motivated, and perhaps even a bit of a hero.
So don't ever think of yourself as just a vegan.
Because you're not.
++++++++++++
"Don't ever think of yourself as just a vegan."
Thanks for the reminder! And what a great graphic. Looking forward to sharing it! Did you create it—or, do you know who did?
Excellent points and reminders. Hooray for all y'all great folks out there! The more of you there are...the better off everyone is.
Wonderful! You've managed to compile a list of all the best attributes of a whole, compassionate and engaged person! Yep - That would be a Vegan or an aspiring one for sure! Not "just" a Vegan at all! Thank you for this tribute to us! ;)
I so needed to read this right about now. I admit that I am one of those who gave in to compassion fatigue. I tried to avoid being a witness but I can’t un-know what I know. This post is the perfect reminder that being vegan isn’t just about not consuming animals it is about fully participating in trying to make this world better for everyone. I don’t want to live any other way. Thank you for reminding me of that!