Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Race and Veganism: Overcoming the Stigma of Black Veganism
The intersectionality of race and veganism has become an emerging topic in recent years. While veganism is often associated with white, affluent individuals, there is a growing movement of Black people embracing plant-based diets. However, there is still a stigma attached to Black veganism within the Black community. Some view it as a rejection of traditional Black food and culture.
This stigma is not just cultural but also economic. Vegan foods are more expensive and less accessible in low-income areas, which are often predominantly Black, presenting challenges for those who want to adopt a vegan lifestyle but struggle to access affordable and nutritious plant-based foods.
In my experience, adopting a vegan diet, I experienced cultural and economic challenges. Imagine being the only Black vegan in your entire family and at work. Everyone, including me, was in culture shock. Stank faces, suspicion and endless questions plagued my vegan journey. Imagine sitting in the break room at work minding your business, and then a coworker asks, "What is that?" Don't even think about bringing a vegan-friendly dish to the cookout. My choice to embrace a healthier lifestyle resulted in ingroup stereotyping and bias. I believe Black people assume that eating a plant-based diet means sacrificing taste.
In actuality, this is a myth. I enhanced my way around the kitchen by transitioning to a vegan diet. For example, I started experimenting and cooking with various foods and seasonings. If anything, my food had more flavor. Another problem is the miseducation of a plant-based lifestyle. People often assume that vegans only care about protecting animals. But people transition to a vegan diet for health, social, political, or environmental reasons.
People often ask me. "Why did you go vegan?" I went vegan for health purposes. My family has a history of high blood pressure and cancer. I transitioned to a vegan diet to combat these health concerns. I also started watching health documentaries and following medical research showing the benefits of a plant-based diet on health. As I learned about the benefits, I slowly started transitioning over the years:
First, I stopped eating beef and pork.
Next, I stopped eating chicken.
Last, I stopped consuming fish and seafood.
I did the cold turkey thing once, but it was short-lived.
Another question people ask me is, "How do you feel...can you tell the difference?" The answer is Yes. I have more energy. I wake up feeling refreshed. I rarely feel sluggish or tired throughout the day. I maintain a high-impact exercise routine, including weights and cardio. At one point, I had abs without doing a single crunch. I'm not too fond of ab workouts. Let's say I'm working my way back. Overall, eating a vegan diet has improved my overall health and well-being. I rarely get sick. At one point, I went almost two years without a single cold. Crazy, right?!
Economically, I experienced some challenges transitioning to a plant-based diet. At the time, my local community had few plant-based options. The fruits and vegetables were visibly undesirable and went bad quickly. So, I would travel 40 minutes away from home every two weeks to access better food. While I was not too fond of the drive, it was my only option.
Despite these challenges, veganism can be a tool for minimizing Black health disparities. Black people are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. These conditions may result from poor nutrition and minimal access to healthy foods. By adopting a vegan lifestyle, Black people can improve their health outcomes and reduce their risk of developing these conditions.
Moreover, veganism can also be a tool for social justice. The animal agriculture industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation and climate change, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities. By reducing our reliance on animal products, we can also reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainability.
So, how did I overcome the stigma of Black veganism? Well, thick skin and knowing my why. As the years passed, I also started introducing my family to new plant-based options, and they love many of my vegan recipes, especially my desserts. My sister and I do a sweet potato pie competition for Thanksgiving. She currently uses my mother's delicious old-school sweet potato pie recipe while I make a vegan-friendly potato pie recipe. We both have a win under our belts and last year we tied.
Here is proof that we don't have to sacrifice the taste of our favorite soul foods just because we use vegan alternatives. You cannot mess up the sweet potato pie in the Black community. They will never forget it. Ha! Nonetheless, you can learn how to make your favorite foods using plant-based substitutes with coaching and practice.
In conclusion, while the stigma of Black veganism persists, it is essential to recognize the potential benefits of a plant-based lifestyle for Black health and social justice. We must work to make veganism more accessible and affordable for all communities, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society.
