In Charles Dicken’s iconic holiday story “A Christmas Carol,” misguided Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Future, who shows him what his world will look like at Christmas’ to come if he doesn’t re-examine his way of life. It’s not a pretty picture. This Christmas, the reality we face is one of needless suffering of animals on an unprecedented scale. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If you want to create a better future, join the animal rights movement.

For some people, “animal rights activist” is a scary term. Negative stereotypes of activists and doubts about our ability to contribute to widespread change can push people away from getting involved with these communities. The truth is, when you partner with other people who care about animals, and you take a stand to end cruelty, you’ll see this work isn’t powered by anger or judgment- at its heart you’ll find hope, and inner strength, and joy.

Still, activism can be frustrating as well as rewarding. It’s often challenging to break through to people who value the well-being of their dogs and cats yet dismiss the well-being of other creatures. People say, “I don’t want to look at what happens in factory farms and slaughterhouses, it’s too awful,” and choose to deny the gruesome consequences of their insistence on eating animal products.

It is ever okay to say someone else's beliefs are mistaken? Yes. Because the choice not to support animal agriculture with our wallets isn’t about just us as individuals. It’s about love - love for the billions of animals we share the earth with, for the planet, and for ourselves. It’s about how standing up for a more compassionate world - even when it’s hard- is the right thing to do for everyone.

Christmas’ Future will look radically different as a result of our willingness to be brave for animals now, because as Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted as saying, "The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

Want to learn more? Check out our new Vegan Starter Guide!