NEWSFLASH: Being a “True Vegan” is Not Impossible

We love comments here at YDV. Discussion is what we’re all about! But sometimes, I have to go against my own advice and roll my eyes. Take this recent comment by Gregg on our post, “Fish Aren’t Animals: A Seemingly Common Misperception.”

Any creature that has animal cells is an animal.

With ya so far, Gregg.

Daria are you aware that it is impossible to be a true vegan.

Um, no, I wasn’t aware of that. Please elaborate.

Because without vitamin B12 you eventually die. And the only source of this vitamin is from a living organism, an animal (not plant).

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a minute, Gregg. We are well aware of the need for vegans (and non-vegans, let’s be real here) to get adequate B12. It’s why Anya Todd recommends supplements or fortified foods. And guess what? The supplement in my cupboard is plant-based. You do realize that “living organisms” – I assume you mean the micro-organisms that we source B12 from – encompass not only animals, but plants, right?

The Vegan Society has a pretty comprehensive look at B12 that I recommend.

So saying your

[sic] a vegan is like saying i’m catholic but don’t believe in Jesus.

What if I believe in Jesus but am not Catholic? Sorry, I’m being a smartass. I don’t get your analogy.

Hope this doesn’t offend i’m just saying what is fact! Not opinion.

Your comment doesn’t offend me, but your belief that it’s “impossible” to be a “true” vegan and your belief that it’s a fact is offensive. I’ve referenced the definition of veganism before, but I’ll do so again:

“Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing and any other purpose.”

Veganism is not about perfection. If I have to supplement my diet with a plant-based pill to ensure that I am adequately healthy so that I can continue speaking out on behalf of the exploited, so be it.

Whenever anyone says something like “being that is impossible,” there seems to be an unsaid second part to that statement: “so stop.” Sorry, I’m not going to stop. I will not stop living according to my values just because I cannot do everything for the animals in this non-vegan world.

You know, the more I think about that “Catholic/Jesus” statement above, the more I think I might get what you’re saying. But ya know what? You don’t have to believe in Jesus to be a compassionate person. Newsflash: even Jesus wasn’t Catholic – he was a Jew. Nothing is impossible. But thanks for your comment.

Photo Credit: Nathan Rupert via Flickr