being vegan can sometimes be hard mentally

as your mindset and beliefs seem to be so remote and disparate from the majority of society

It's especially confusing to think how our friends and family who we consider rational loving caring people

and are against the willful harm of animals yet

they allow animals lives to be taken for food and the pleasure of their taste buds

It is quite the ethical Paradox that actions do not match their values

but we as Vegans cannot fall prey to the nature of hindsight bias

as most of us were previously in the same position

We need to make use of this understanding

help people understand the disconnect of their values and actions

It is our job to educate people on this and as the saying goes

Education does not exist to persecute you but the question begs

Why do people eat meat?

well this can be explained by the belief system known as carnism

an ideology which was coined by Dr. Melanie Joy in 2001

Carnism is a belief system around the eating of meat

of only specific types of animals

It is justified by the notion of the three N's

natural normal and necessary

all which are logical fallacies

Carnism is a highly ingrained and indoctrinated social norm

One which when you think about it was never choice anyone made themselves

It is a practice and an acceptance that is taught from a young age

It has continued to be normalized as everyone else around you continues to eat animals

It is socially accepted as Moral

The most important part of carnism to add some sense of rationality

and help carnist understand the concept of their ideology is by demonstrating how they only accept only particular

is by demonstrating how they only accept only particular

species of animals as food and not others

If these same practices were applied to animals they don't consider food.

They would then classify this as unacceptable cruelty

There is absolutely no rational or logical reason

to have the divide between animals

to say that some are okay to eat and to some it is unacceptable,

how does one draw the line between animals that are food and those that are not

as mentioned previously

It is quite the psychological Paradox where people's actions do not match their values

They are the huge disconnection

and don't even look at their plate, and think this was a living breathing sentient creature

They totally dissociate from that reality

the livestock industry has done a great job in making people believe that

these animals are a commodity and inanimate objects

without names without emotions that do not feel pain

Yet, they are so similar to the pets we keep in our own home that we consider family

So how does understanding carnism help you when talking about veganism?

But why not try the three E's?

Empathize educate and ease

Empathize with them and tell them you understand that these are ingrained and indoctrinated beliefs

which they had no decision over

Simple statements such as I understand that you think it's natural, normal and necessary

but that simply isn't the case

If they are open to it suggest some materials they can consume to understand it further

number two, explain just like them you're once a victim of this psychological paradox

to help them understand this

you can use examples of animals such as dogs that are eaten in other countries

And ask what is the real difference?

If they think it is weird and wrong ask them why?

Just get them thinking about it

number three, if they are concerned with their actions or

thinking about what they could possibly do

Put them at ease as changes are probably one of the most daunting things in life

Demonstrate the easy transition and the options and resources available

Reinforce that it was the best decision that you ever made

and the other benefits such as health and environmental factors

Now I hope this has helped you

and if you have any further questions or concerns

feel free to ask them in the comment section below

But further information on carnism,

I highly recommend watching Dr.Melanie Joy's Ted

or to get an in-depth understanding

Grab her book "why we love dogs eat pigs and wear cows"

an introduction to Carnism

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