One of the most important yet difficult things we have to do as vegans is talk to animal eaters
We are constantly given the same excuses and asked the same questions over and over again and thus it's so
important to learn how to properly communicate veganism to non Vegans. Now, this is by far the most requested video
that I've been asked to make by you guys and I'm not claiming in this video and that I'm the best advocate for veganism
nor am I saying that the approaches I describe in this video are the only ways to talk to non Vegans however
they are the most
effective techniques that I have found so far from the discussions that I have had. One of the most crucial things to remember when we
Enter into a discussion with a non vegan is that they're going to be basing their entire judgment of veganism based on that discussion
We are entering into and as such it's so important that we remain rational and level-headed
because if we come across as irrational, we make veganism appear to be irrational.
As frustrating as these conversations can become it is so important that we remain
empathetic polite and most of all listen. What we all have to remember is that most of us at one point in our lives
also used these same excuses to justify not going vegan and as such if we appear to be morally or intellectually superior
We're going to push these people further away from the method
we're trying to talk to them about. If we listen and seem relatable
we make the person we're talking to feel more comfortable and
as such to be more inclined to open up and be more honest with us during the discussion
This is when we can have a genuinely effective conversation.
Now I always think that it's good to approach the
Conversation as if you can learn something from them as well as this will in turn make the conversation
seem more two sided in their eyes. And also make sure you take their argument seriously
Use logic and reasoning to debunk their arguments instead of just getting
frustrated and angry at them. There are certain ways you can talk to non vegans that'll make them feel more comfortable in the
conversation
saying things like I can understand why you see that or even agreeing with certain things that they say will make them feel a
Lot more receptive to what it is you're trying to communicate. One of the things that I try to do is make sure the conversation
Remains quite lighthearted so I'll laugh at the appropriate moments just so the conversation doesn't become too serious
it doesn't seem like I'm being judgmental or preachy. So the technique that I use in my interviews is called the socratic method
Which was devised by the Greek Philosopher Socrates
and is used very commonly in counseling and in therapy. In essence it boils down to the philosophies of asking questions
Rather than giving answers. This is incredibly
important as by asking questions it means that the non-vegan you are talking to you has to come to the conclusions themselves.
So instead of save something along the lines of 'animal cruelty is wrong'
Ask them: Is animal cruelty wrong?
Another example would be instead of saying there is no humane way to kill an animal, ask them
do you think there is a humane way to kill an animal that doesn't want to die for an unnecessary reason?
That way whatever the person says in response
They know to be their own genuine opinion which means we can go down the route of asking a series of questions
That then highlight the hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance in the way these people treat animals and as such they're also revealing that to themselves
by using this method of asking
Questions rather than giving answers you create and stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas that then create
Contradiction in the person you're talking to. Entering into these conversations is like a process of elimination
You have to go through each of their excuses and arguments and use logic to show how they're flawed
Until they reach that vegan conclusion.
One of the main ideas in the Socratic Method is asking a focused line of questioning.
One of the things that animal eaters will like to do in a discussion is take the conversation off on a tangent
or deflection off what it is you're actually trying to ask them.
So if you ask a question about whether an animal can suffer they start talking about pets or something that's not related to the topic
Make sure you always bring it back to the question you've asked even ask it again if you have to.
One of the other things to remember is to ask probing questions. Now the good thing about coming across
as likehearted and not taking the conversation too seriously and seeming empathetic even is that when you ask these
Confrontational questions and probing questions the person you're talking to is much more likely to open up and give you genuine answers
Rather than getting defensive. So some of the key questions
I always ask in the conversations are things like
What's the difference between eating a dog and eating a pig?
Is there a humane way to kill an animal?
Do you value your own taste over life?
Do you value your own convenience over life?
these are really good probing questions that make people conflict with themselves
because they know their real answer is one that juxtaposes with their actual actions. Another line of question
I always find to be really effective is I ask: Do you think that animal cruelty is wrong?
people always say yes, animal cruelty is wrong.
the second question I'll then ask is 'Do you think we need to eat animals to survive?'
now obviously people know that we don't, so they'll say no
So I'll say if we don't need to eat animals to survive than to do so is an act of cruelty because it's unnecessary
and in that moment quite often what you'll see is people realizing that they're actually going against their own morals very explicitly.
If the conversation doesn't seem to be going anywhere and you're going round and round in circles
I always just recommend you end the conversation politely.
I think it's always really important we end this conversation as politely as we can
because it leaves the person we've had the discussion with in a positive frame of mind and they don't see
this discussion has been necessarily a negative thing. When I go into a conversation or an interview
I don't go in with a mindset that I'm going to turn that person vegan on the spot
It's amazing if it does happen but the most important thing is
where you leave that person with the curiosity and knowledge to want to be able to go and research Veganism on their own
that's why I always recommend to carry around some cards or some leaflets with information on so you can give people
A resource that contains all the links they'll need to research veganism independently
So this is one of the cards that we use at Anonymous for the Voiceless and as you can see
it has a whole range of different resources on it
One of the ones that is my favourite is the link to challenge22.com
because challenge 22 is where people can sign up to take a 22 day pledge to try veganism.
That's a really great resource to give people once you finish your conversation. There are two tips
I always give to people who want to start talking to non vegans and the first one is educate yourself. Watch as many
documentaries and Youtube videos read as many books and articles as you possibly can about all the different ways that we exploit animals
Which includes clothing vivisection and entertainment. Because the more that we know the better Advocates for veganism
We can be. It's also super important to learn about all the different excuses that people use to justify harming animals learn them
But also learn how to debunk them and use logic to argue against them this includes learning things like Vegan
Sources of protein calcium iron and all the other nutrients that can be used to try and debunk veganism. The second piece of advice I
Always give is to practice. The only way we can build up our confidence and effectiveness is by getting out there and actually
Doing it. If you're worried about just going out on the streets and starting conversations yourself then go along to an Outreach event
Events like Anonymous for the Voiceless are perfect because they provide a great platform for practicing having
Conversations and you're also surrounded by other Vegans who are there to support you. Most of all don't worry if you have a conversation that
doesn't go very well. It happens to everyone. The most important thing to remember is that even though some people aren't receptive
There are many many more people out there who will be receptive
Also neverunderestimate the power of a conversation
even if the person leaves the discussion and it seems that they don't care at all and they've not been receptive
You don't know if you've planted a seed or a fault in their mind that will later leave them on the path to research veganism
On their own accord. Also if there are no outreach events in your area, then set one up
Anonymous for the Voiceless is a really great way to get into
conversations with people and if you want to set up one in your area either message me on my Facebook page, or
Message the Anonymous for the Voiceless Facebook page
And we'll give you all the tips and all the tools you need to set up your own group
There are also a whole host of other ways to start
Conversations with people and spread veganism in a really educational manner for instance you can have an Outreach store
Where you give out free samples of plantmilks and vegan chocolates and invite
Conversations that way. You could also offer the incentive a free cupcake or cookie if people watch a short
4-minute video or even throughout the Animal Equality iAnimal virtual reality experience
When it boils down to it veganism is based in fact, common sense and logic. It's better for your health
It's better for the environment and of course better for the animals which makes arguing veganism very simple because there are no good
Justifiable arguments that can be used against it
I also want to emphasize at the end that
Anyone has the potential to be a great advocate and voice for animals and for veganism
All it takes is a bit of practice and education
About all the different areas of veganism and all the different ways that we exploit animals
So I really hope this video has been helpful
And given you guys the confidence you needed to go out there and start talking to non Vegans
I know it can seem really daunting
But actually it's really fun
And the more you do it
And the more you practice, the easier it'll become and the more confidence you will have. And I just want to say a big
Thank you to all my patreons because without you guys
I wouldn't have the time to be able to be an activist and get out there and have conversation with non Vegans
So thank you guys so much
and if you're not one of my patreons
but you'd like to become one you can do so by clicking the link in the description also
Make sure that you all follow my Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with my activism, and I'll see you all next time