Vegan education is about helping people connect with their values, not forcing them to change their values

Posted on by animalandmind

Is vegan education about forcing people to care about something they don't care about? Sometimes I hear people say "you can't force people to care about animal rights" as an argument against vegan education. Or that we should continue eating animals because everyone can care about different things, "so I'll care about humans over here … Continue reading Vegan education is about helping people connect with their values, not forcing them to change their values

6 Thought traps: How the way we think can influence our activism

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"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven" - Milton, 2007 How does what we think influence our activism? Have you ever wondered how the thoughts that enter your mind influence your experience of the world? From the way you behave, the emotions you … Continue reading 6 Thought traps: How the way we think can influence our activism

Coping with COVID-19 Distress: A Mental Health Guide for Animal Activists

Posted on by animalandmind

There has been a profound shift in the world with the recent arrival of COVID-19. Many people are feeling fear for their health or that of loved ones, the blow of financial uncertainty, anxiety for the future, and in many cases, grief and loss. This global pandemic is placing many of us in a position … Continue reading Coping with COVID-19 Distress: A Mental Health Guide for Animal Activists

You’re allowed to call yourself a vegan even if you don’t have it ‘right’

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Does someone need to be 'perfect' at veganism before they call themselves a vegan?  What if calling yourself vegan leads to learning more about it? Or motivates you to do more to help animals? Or makes you take pride in the title and spread it positively, encouraging more people to look into this whole 'vegan' … Continue reading You’re allowed to call yourself a vegan even if you don’t have it ‘right’

Animal activist whistle-blowers: why defending them is defending democracy

Posted on by animalandmind

Recently the Australian government has been cracking down on vegan animal activist whistle-blowers. Activists entering farms to capture footage may be able to face up to $200 000 fines as of this year, this is despite the fact that activists have captured countless footage of animal cruelty (both legal and illegal practices) in Aussie farms … Continue reading Animal activist whistle-blowers: why defending them is defending democracy

The Australia-wide vegan protest: A reflection on the different responses

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This week has been big in Australia. Never have I seen a protest create so much heated debate! In case you missed it, on Monday 8th April 2019, hundreds of animal activists held a bold nation-wide animal rights action. In Melbourne, they stopped the CBD with a peaceful protest holding signs about the film Dominion, … Continue reading The Australia-wide vegan protest: A reflection on the different responses

What’s the issue with ‘hero worshipping’ in activism?

Posted on by animalandmind

We hear the phrase 'hero worshipping' a lot in the animal activist community, especially with the recent rise of public celebrity faces in the movement. Usually it's described as a problem, but I think there's a little more to understand about the rise of celebrities in activism. So I thought I'd break down my thoughts … Continue reading What’s the issue with ‘hero worshipping’ in activism?

How not to debate – a demonstration by the President of the National Farmers Federation about Aussie Farms Map

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This week Australian animal charity organisation Aussie Farms released an online map detailing the location of over 5000 animal farms and other related animal facilities around Australia. Since its release, it has caused notable reaction among farmers, creating controversy. Following this response was a national televised debate on Australian news talk show The Project about … Continue reading How not to debate – a demonstration by the President of the National Farmers Federation about Aussie Farms Map

Veganism is not a black or white concept

Posted on by animalandmind

It can be easy to see things in black or white - that something is good or bad, right or wrong, perfect or a failure. Termed as 'polarised thinking' in psychology, this type of thought pattern is recognised as unhelpful due to its irrational and simplistic approach. Most of us think in this way from … Continue reading Veganism is not a black or white concept

A world without slaughterhouses

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After the incredible 2018 Melbourne March to Close All Slaughterhouses, which had approximately 1000 people colouring the city red, I began pondering what a world without slaughterhouses would look like.  Here's what I envision: Given animal agriculture is currently the leading cause of environmental damage,  including air and water pollution, mass land clearance and habitat … Continue reading A world without slaughterhouses