Image by by KROMKRATHOG
2011 was a big year for veganism, with the lifestyle making headway—and headlines—in the general public. Now that the new year is well underway, let’s take a look at a few things that are on the upswing in the veg world:
Vegan Fashion and Beauty Go Mainstream: Ethical fashion has been on the forefront of many of our vegan brains for years. However, in the mainstream world, many are just waking up to the fact that a fur coat isn’t the only non-vegan garment commonly purchased. Vegan products are not only more widespread, they are beginning to get the cruelty-free recognition they deserve! From floral print this spring to summer sandals, vegan products will be getting news coverage in 2012. On the beauty front, cruelty-free beauty is moving to the minds of America’s teens. A vegan nail polish was just featured in Seventeen magazine’s online version;. Ginger & Liz, a vegan nail lacquer line, is showcasing bold stylish colors proving beauty can be fun, flashy - and vegan.
Veg Makes Way on Campus: In September 2011, University of North Texas garnered mainstream media attention when it opened a vegan dining hall. Following suit, University of California, San Diego, opened a new vegan dining option, a veg-only restaurant called Roots, located in Muir College below Pines dining hall. The restaurant opened doors to students Monday, January 9th 2012, although construction has been underway since January 2010. “It’s a healthier option for everyone,” Muir College Senator Elizabeth Garcia said. Additionally, popular vegan actress Alicia Silverstone, and author of “The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet,” will be speaking February 3rd at the University of Central Florida about benefiting the environment by living a kind lifestyle.
Vegan Muscles: Vegan bodybuilding has been trending lately, with a recent article in the NY Times online about the niche community of plant-based bodybuilders. Also on the vegan athlete front, the winner of the 2011 Toughest Mudder was Juliana Sproles, a vegan now crowned 2011’s “World’s Toughest Woman.”
Vegan Politics: As more organizations get involved in promoting veganism for a variety of reasons, we are seeing an increase in the presence of veganism in the political world. From the nutritional and ethical legislation being worked on by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine to the undercover investigations and resulting legislative reform of groups like Mercy for Animals, the political voice of veganism is growing louder.
One political event that may be worth watching occurred this past Saturday, January 28th. Organized by Meat-Abolition.org, The World Day for the Abolition of Meat (WDAM) has been held each year since 2009 on the final Saturday of the month of January. The WDAM focuses on encouraging people all over the world to take action and demand the abolition of, the production of, and the consumption of animal products throughout the world.
Meat-Abolition.org notes that this movement is different from veganism as it promotes taking a political stand—as opposed to an environmental or moral one—to abstaining from meat to support equal rights between animals and humans. They don’t want to merely abstain from eating meat; they want to abolish the consumption.
But who are “they?” Poking around on their website provided vague answers: “The resolution for the abolition of meat was conceived collectively by people from different horizons, reunited on an open internet listserv created for this purpose. This same small group of people, and any new people who would like to join them, are also taking on the task to launch this movement internationally with animal organizations, with the idea that they also take up the movement themselves.”
Watch for more from this organization, which also holds World Weeks for the Abolition of Meat (WWAMs), organized every year at the end of the months of January, May and September.
