Thanks to http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1197499

Vegans are the type of people who like to fix things: when we see a problem, we try to do something to better it. So, when vegans set themselves up in business, does it become their responsibility to use these businesses as a means of spreading the vegan message? Should vegans in business take an extra step and use the popularity of their business to further the causes illustrated in activism for animal rights? 

When contemplating this question, I started by looking at the basics. In my opinion, activism in the sense of protests, letter writing and organized boycotts is an obligation for no vegan. If we are consistent in our principles and explain them when prompted, we are doing the minimum to support veganism as a lifestyle choice. 

Many vegans feel that it is an obligation to support single-issue campaigns like those against the circus and promoting more space in cages for KFC chickens, especially new vegans. Understandably, it is almost a rite of passage for those new to the animal rights movement to attend a PETA protest, or join in one of their letter-writing campaigns. 

The use of animals as circus performers is an illustration of the human assumption that non-humans are ours to “take care of,” and in most cases use for our own means (eg. food, experiments, entertainment, clothing). Protesting these cruelties seems like the right thing to do; after all, while you can’t save every animal, you should start somewhere. But it’s possible that single-issue campaigns like these don’t promote the ultimate goal of veganism and only work to confuse omnivores as to what it means to be vegan. 

The argument that anything is better than nothing (eg. that humane meat is better than meat from a conventional slaughterhouse) when it comes to many forms of welfarist actions, can be disputed if the increase in animal product consumption during the last decades is considered. When we take into account that more people are eating more meat, we have to wonder whether what we’re doing is really working. 

There are many people who hold the opinion that if vegans do any campaigning, it should be purely vegan – otherwise it can do more harm than good. For instance, in a circus protest, organizers should ensure that the message is that of abolition, and emphasize that using animals in the circus is only one example of how humans view non-human animals. Since circus protests, as we know them, are demonstrations using PETA and Vegan Outreach materials, two organizations that promote vegetarianism as acceptable, the results are immeasurable. When you place that work next to increased animal product consumption in the world, it starts to look like these actions aren’t doing anything but creating a false image of vegans. 

So, when you take a look at a truly vegan business, meaning a company that uses nothing tested on animals, nothing with any animal ingredients, and one that advertises itself as vegan, it is almost impossible to deny that they are helping the cause of animal rights, without doing anything other than existing. 

Every time someone drives by a steakhouse, there is an implied connection made between the demand for steak and the acceptance of steak. By the same token, when someone drives by a vegan business, it promotes the idea that there is a demand, which promotes veganism in its own way. 

As to whether a truly vegan company bears an obligation to promote animal rights on any other level, such as donating food to a vegan event, having vegan pamphlets available at their front desk or somehow raising support for a single-issue campaign, my feeling is that it is absolutely not an obligation. Simply being vegan is activism. 

The implication that a vegan business “isn’t doing enough” can be compared to the idea that wealthy people have an obligation to donate a portion of their money to charities, which they do not. Every vegan should be proud of their choices: they are morally superior and better for animals. Going above and beyond is simply extra credit. 

TALK TO US: Do you think vegans and their businesses should be “actively” vegan?