When people hear “vegan” today, they often think of it as a personal health choice or a diet. But being vegan goes far beyond what — or who — we choose not to eat. At its core, it’s not about humans. It’s an ethical stance for animals; a rejection of the idea that they are resources or commodities for us to use as we please.

The term "vegan" was coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and The Vegan Society to describe a life excluding all animal products. Co-founder Leslie Cross later expanded the term, and the definition was refined as ”the emancipation of animals from exploitation by humans,” for food, clothing, entertainment, testing, transportation, or anything. Cross played a significant role in shaping the ethical foundation of the movement.

While a vegetarian diet avoids animal flesh, it doesn’t necessarily mean fewer animals are harmed. Animals in the dairy and egg industries are also slaughtered. Vegetarianism also doesn’t address other ways that animals are exploited and killed. 

Veganism has transformative power for humans and the planet, too. Top nutrition organizations endorse a plant-based diet as healthy for all life stages and protective against the major diseases linked to animal products. A nutrient-rich, balanced plant-based diet relies on simple whole food staples, including grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, and is up to 30% cheaper than an omnivore diet. 

While there remains a misconception that vegans rely on processed foods, many plant-based meats and brands are made with beans, peas, rice, veggies, and tofu, though others are less nutritious. Regardless, these are optional extras and are not necessary to live as a vegan. Few things are more processed than killing an animal, carving up their body, sanitizing it with chemicals, and packaging their flesh, milk, or eggs. 

From an environmental standpoint, being vegan is one of the most effective ways to reduce our impact on Earth. Animal farming is a leading cause of environmental devastation, surpassing even top oil companies in damage. It accelerates the climate crisis, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem destruction. Land used for animal farming could instead grow crops to feed billions more humans or be left alone for other species to live on. 

Yet, when “vegan” is viewed solely as a dietary preference for health or the environment that can be easily abandoned, it loses the urgency and commitment necessary to challenge the entrenched, false belief that animals exist for our control and consumption. All animals are individuals with their own personalities, desires, and families; each should have the inherent right to live free from human oppression. 

In Western societies, we don’t shun eating dogs because it’s healthier or better for the environment; we simply refuse to contribute to their suffering and killing. We would never suggest others reduce how many dogs they eat, we would demand justice. No one is entitled to the body or life of any sentient being.

Animals endure hellish cruelty unnecessarily. They experience pain, fear, enslavement, torture, and killing in farms, slaughterhouses, and all industries that exploit them. Using anyone leads to suffering. 

We can change the narrative. What humans do to other animals is what’s extreme; being vegan and defending them is not. To know what’s just or humane, we must see from the victim’s perspective. Is it harder for us to live vegan, or is it harder for the animals to go through what they do? 

When we think of them, it’s easy to expand on the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Non-human animals are also "others," they just want to live and be free, too.

Learn more about speciesism and the “humane” lie.

Understand why factory farms are not the real problem. 

Speak up for all animals.