Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers

by Joanne Kong PhD (Editor)

Overview

A collection of informative, diverse, evocative, and inspiring essays from over 50 vegan activists, educators, artists, and changemakers on the whys and wherefores of the vegan diet and lifestyle.

Why should one go vegan? Is veganism the positive change the world needs? Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers is a comprehensive collection of compelling testimonials about how our food choices are deeply connected to the pressing challenges and issues of our time. Areas covered include personal and global health; the devastation of animal agriculture to the environment; society’s collective loss of compassion and connection to our kindred animals; and the desire for a world of greater peace, harmony, and inclusivity. The book points to the need for a cultural and spiritual transformation in which we embrace the commonalities between all living beings as a source of positive change and healing.

Author and editor Joanne Kong has brought together the most inspiring and influential changemakers from around the world at the forefront of the vegan movement. They represent the great diversity of roles through which veganism has moved into the mainstream: activists, authors, speakers, athletes, entrepreneurs, community and event organizers, advocates for social and food justice, artists, filmmakers, medical and health professionals, environmental advocates, sanctuary owners, and more. The essays are organized into six sections: “Our Kindred Animals,” “Around the Globe,” “Activism,” “Body and Spirit,” “The Arts,” and “A New Future.”

Vegan Voices fills the needs of a wide range of readers, from those new to exploring the plant-based lifestyle to longtime vegans and advocates. Many essays are deeply personal reflections that attest to how veganism has the power to touch our lives on many levels. The book can be a source of continuing inspiration and motivation for those desiring to create a world of greater compassion and equality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590566503
Publisher:	Lantern Publishing & Media
Publication date:	10/05/2021
Pages:	324
Sales rank:	317,269
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Dr. Joanne Kong has been recognized as one of the most compelling advocates for plant-sourced nutrition today. A frequent public speaker at universities, festivals, and conferences, her highly praised TEDx talk, “The Power of Plant-Based Eating,” is on numerous websites. She has toured extensively—in Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and a three-week, ten-city tour of India—speaking on veganism. She is the author of If You’ve Ever Loved an Animal, Go Vegan (self-published), and is profiled in the book Legends of Change, about vegan women who are reshaping the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword Victoria Moran xv

Introduction Dr. Joanne Kong xix

Section 1 Our Kindred Animals

Dogs for Dinner Laura Barlow 3

The Harm of "Humane" Emily Moran Barwick 6

Might Does Not Make Right Katina Czyczelis 13

With Heart and Voice: Will Birds Sing or Will They Be Silent? Karen Davis, PhD 19

Swimming Against Ignorance and Cruelty Mary Finelli 23

Sanctuary: This Is What Matters Pete Kit Jagoda 27

A Birthday Surprise Ingrid Newkirk 33

There Is No Other Rae Sikora 36

What Kind of Person Am I? Jesse Tandler 40

Section 2 Around the Globe

Understanding the Power of Compassion Elin Gundersen 49

To a Nation of Animal Lovers Chris Hines 55

Veganism in Japan: Present Challenges and Hopes for the Future Nadia McKechnie 60

Vegan, Naturally Shankar Narayan 66

Veganism: A Changing World Doreen Rothe 70

The Israeli Food Revolution Ori Shavit 75

Expedition of a Vegan to the Heart of the Amazon Marly Winckler 81

Section 3 Activism

Thirty Years of Radical Compassion Hope Bohanec 89

How I Became a Voice for the Animals Shweta Borgaonkar 95

My Parents "Forced" Veganism on Me Sarina Farb 101

The Power of Isis Gwenna Hunter 104

A Momentous Time to Be Living Through Sandra Isobel Kyle 110

Stories of a "Bug Girl" Claudia Lifton 116

Is This Something You Want to Support? James O'Toole 121

Get Involved Curtis Vollmar 125

Section 4 Body and Spirit

A Journey to an Awakening of the Body, Mind, and Soul Nancy Arenas 133

Making Nutrition Real T. Colin Campbell, PhD 138

My Journey to Create a More Compassionate World Chatilla van Grinsven 146

The Terrain Dr. Elisa Beth Haransky-Beck 152

The Road to a Higher Self Giselle Mehta 158

Veganism, Yoga, and Me Victoria Moran 164

Awakening to Compassion across the Decades Nancy Poznak 169

We Are Deeply Interconnected Dr. Rupa Shah 175

Adventures in Myth-Busting Janice Stanger, PhD 180

Not Your Typical Vegan Derek Tresize 185

Vegan Larry Weiss 190

Section 5 The Arts

An Evolving Voice Jeff Adams 197

The Invisible Line Allison Argo 204

Vegangelism and the Gospel of Spiritual Alignment Thomas Wade Jackson 209

The Rise of Animal Photojournalism Jo-Anne McArthur 215

Artivism for the Animals Ryan A. Phillips 219

Reflections on Music, Animal Rights, and Human Rights Farah Siraj 223

Zen and the Art of Vegan Living Dr. Will Tuttle 229

Section 6 A New Future

In a Post-Meat Economy, People, Not Corporations, Thrive Gene Baur 239

Evolutions and Revolutions in Care-giving Rebecca Moore 242

Humane Investing: Creating a Better World Brenda A. Morris 249

Tools for a New World Abhay Rangan 255

Imagineering a Vegan World by 2026! Dr. Sailesh Rao 259

Purposefully Dreaming of a Vegan Future Stephanie Redcross West 265

The Hearts of Nations Clifton Roberts 270

Beyond Joy Lin Silvan 277

Positive Activism for Lifelong Change Krissi Vandenberg 282

Afterword Dr. Joanne Kong 287

Notes 291

About the Editor

About the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Vegan Voices brings you the thoughts and experiences of the visionaries who have built this powerful movement. From ethics and activism to aesthetics and economics, it looks at all sides, charting an optimistic way forward for humans and for all the other animals with whom we share the planet.”
—Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC
 
“As a vegan for forty-seven years, I appreciate Vegan Voices as a delightful and well-rounded holistic approach to veganism as a way of life as well as eating. I fully recommend this book to all levels of vegan readers. It points to veganism as a way to sanctify our eating. In each generation, we are given the medicine for healing that generation. Veganism is the medicine for healing this generation and also future generations. Vegan Voices gives a wonderful understanding of the vegan approach and understanding of life.”
—Rabbi Gabriel Cousens, MD, MD(H)
 
“There are as many reasons to be vegan as there are vegans, as this lovely anthology makes clear. So many of my heroes in one place—what a treat. Read it and be inspired.”
—Bruce Friedrich, Co-founder & Executive Director, The Good Food Institute
 
“If we are to have any hope of healing our damaged planet, it is clear that we must first rethink our relationship with animals. As Vegan Voices eloquently describes, for too long we’ve regarded the sentient beings with whom we share the world as mere things—commodities to be used for food, clothing, research, and entertainment. This is an important book that will serve as a call to action for every consumer to seriously consider the consequences of their dietary choices. Vegan Voices demonstrates that being vegan truly is a matter of life and death, and each one of us can make a difference.”
—Mark Hawthorne, author of A Vegan Ethic: Embracing a Life of Kindness Toward All
 
“Reading Vegan Voices, I found it fascinating to discover how others became enlightened, whether through their own observation, being taught by others, or through our subconscious with our ‘mirror neurons’ allowing empathy to not judge and misjudge other species. The variety of backgrounds presented here illustrates how we all can come together regardless of where we start. From philosophy professors to bodybuilders, it works for all! A ‘Must Read!’”
—Ruth E. Heidrich, PhD, author of A Race for Life and Senior Fitness

“Vegan Voices is a wonderful testament to the inspiring individuals around the world who are part of a growing paradigm shift towards more compassionate living.”
—Sebastian Joy, Founding President of ProVeg International
 
“This inspiring collection of essays presents the plight of animals and the activism in many forms meant to redeem our species by following an approach of live and let live. The volume seeks all attention from the ideal reader who with open heart and mind listens to the reasonable and passionate narrative experience of writers trying to convey the songs, the cries, and interests of our fellow animal friends from all different species.”
—Anita Krajnc, Founder, Animal Save Movement
 
“Animals have voices, but humans don’t speak their languages—so vegan voices speak for them. And this book allows everyone to tune in.”
—Ingrid Newkirk, President and Founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
 
“A beautifully inspiring and informative read for everyone who cares about animals. Dr. Joanne Kong has compiled an invaluable resource with unique experiences and wisdom from advocates across the globe, tapping into a broad range of topics. This just may be the inspiration that will spark your life’s passion and ignite your sense of purpose in changing the world for the better.”
—Jen Riley, Director of Operations at Our Hen House
 
“This book offers inspiring insights into how animal activists became who they are. Discerning the most successful strategies for their vegan advocacy, the individuals in this book show that through a redirection of our personal and professional lives, we can create a world that works for all beings!”
—Veda Stram, All-Creatures.org

From the Publisher