Matt, You’re right.

And Antoine, you’re right, too. Often the people who say “worry about humans first” aren’t actually doing much for humans themselves.

When people say that we should worry about humans first, what they are really saying is that animals don’t matter. I think it helps to try to understand what someone actually means so you can better respond to what they are saying. A top priority for vegans should be to show non-vegans that animals do matter, that they are thinking, feeling, iteresting individuals. Most people only experience animals as food, as pets, as property, as things.

I am a human so of course I am concerned with the survival of the human species, but I also realize that all species and all ecosystmes are linked, and if they die, so will we.

A funny story about this: My wife and I were shopping for pants for me. We spent over 3 hours going from shop to shop looking for vegan, fair labour slacks (and ideally made of natural fibres instead of synthetics)

We finally found a store, that had some products (not all) made in Canada under good labour conditions. But most of their pants were wool, except for two pairs. Well the clerk asked why I didn’t want to wear wool. And we told him about the wool industry and that we were vegan.

To which he replied that he cared more for humans than animals.

I said: “That’s great, so what do you do for humans?”
he stuttered and had no response.
“Because there was a huge demo last week in which we made a big peace sign near city hall, asking for the world to work for peace. Did you know about that? There were like two thousand people there, all human rights and peace activist groups were there.” he looked at me and had no examples of any action, activism, or cause that helped humanity that he was involved in.

At which point I told him: “Meanwhile my wife and I have just spent most of our day walking through all the stores in the city to make sure that we don’t buy a pair of pants that was made in conditions that abuse humans. But yes, we care more about animals.”

he blushed and conceded.

The reality is that veganism leads to a different view of the world, to a more critical view of the world, and as you say veganism is our hope for peace.

And while some may disagree with us, at least we offer a plan.

And to those who are not vegan and want peace on earth I say “HOW? What is YOUR suggestion for peace on earth?”

When everyone else have pipe dreams and vague hypocritical notions, we vegans have a clear plan.