If You Believe in Social Justice, You Believe in Veganism
The article describes a powerful moment in Delhi when the authors see a young girl selling balloons at a busy intersection. The sight of her struggling for survival reminds them of the larger issue of exploitation, not just of people but of animals as well. The authors argue that just as we reject human exploitation, we should also reject the exploitation of animals by choosing veganism.
Many people don’t think about the suffering behind animal products. Just like human oppression, the mistreatment of animals is based on arbitrary beliefs that one group is superior to another. The authors believe that serious social justice activists should also be vegan, as justice should extend to all sentient beings.
The article also explores the connection between poverty and veganism. Some argue that veganism is only for the wealthy, but the author counters that animal agriculture harms poor communities by polluting their environments and offering dangerous, low-paying jobs. While plant-based diets are sometimes inaccessible due to food deserts, the real issue is systemic oppression. The solution is not to justify exploitation but to fight for fairer food systems for both people and animals.
The discussion extends to speciesism, comparing it to sexism. Just as poverty does not excuse sexism, it should not excuse the exploitation of animals. The authors explain the cruelty in dairy and egg industries, where female animals are used for their reproductive systems, and male animals are killed because they are deemed useless.
Ultimately, the article argues that rejecting animal exploitation is necessary for a truly just world. If we demand change from oppressive systems, we must also be willing to change our own habits—starting with what we eat.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
