For the Teachers

Many of us get into this movement because we want our lives to make a difference. We have seen injustices and we refuse to sit still and allow things we don’t support to become the status quo. However, once we make the decision to get active, there are several other decisions and hurdles to overcome. At first, we are so passionate that brief encounters may cause tears and distress. Our friends may think we have gone off the deep end, joined some alien “cult” or are just going through a deviant “phase.” We become insatiable for information that may in turn anger us more as we find it hard to understand how this knowledge has escaped us for so long, and how others refuse to accept the truth. Or they accept the truth, but honestly could care less about it. Gradually we seek out more effective strategies, because at the end of the day, we are here to spread our message, save lives and stand up for what we believe in.

I have been on a mission to learn how to effectively advocate the message of this movement. I believe that avoiding consumption of animals and animal products is not only first and foremost the best thing you can do for your overall health, it allows you to tread lightly on this earth, support the planets prosperity and allows you to go to sleep every night knowing you are living every day causing the least amount of harm possible.

Learning requires teachers. So far during my short journey I have had the privilege to meet certain individuals who offer so much inspiration and dedication that even in the most challenging of circumstances, their words help me to persevere. This is an attempt to shine the necessarily spotlight on these people. Most of them face opposition from their families and severely exhausting and challenging situations on a daily basis, but they are also the ones getting things done. Making change happen. We need to shout our appreciation louder, listen and repeat their wise words, and join them along in their fight. I didn’t think it was possible for me to become even more passionate about this cause, but being in the presence of some of these extraordinary people, who embrace and live their messages and display impeccable ethics day in and day out, can motivate even the most passionate activist. And I now believe my contribution has the potential to reach new and extraordinary heights.

Here are some names that come to mind, if you see them, say thank you.

Paul Shapiro

Neal Barnard

Betsy Swart

Jon Camp

Erica Meier

Michael Gregor

Drew Winter

Bruce Friedrich

Norm Phelps

Matt Ball

John Robbins

Erik Marcus

Jack Norris

Ingrid Newkirk