Fun, easy vegan education

May 21, 9:06 AMVegan ExaminerAdam Kochanowicz

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Veganism may be new to some, but there are plenty of people out there who want to change their life to an optimal state of non-violence.  If a community of nurturing vegans is not there to nurture others to this important transition, they're left only with an industry that tells us we need animal products, people who encourage against and ridicule veganism, and a lack of information on how to effectively make this transition.

Vegans are good people, so they don't want anyone to feel their beliefs are being challenged or cause anyone to feel uncomfortable.  Yet often this sensitivity is so great, vegans are too afriad to educate at all.  When this happens, we neglect our friends' freedom to know that milk is as, if not more cruel than meat itself.  We also fail to pass on a lifestyle that is equally fulfilling as it is a practical starting point for non-violence.  Remember, anyone, even a cattle rancher can go vegan.

The method of education I've found most effective is the showing of footage of animal slaughter and treatment.  Again, vegans sometimes shy away from this approach as the footage is undoubtedly graphic.  For this reason, it's best to set up an outdoor display where the public actively has the option to stay and watch or run and hide.

My father and I worked on a little project recently to set up an OVED or "Outdoor Vegan Education Unit" which is essentially a TV on display.  Numerous animal rights groups have set these up before but I decided to do this a little differently.

Rather than just playing a dvd video on loop, I created interactive computer software that's free to use, share, and modify.  This software allows the presenter to attach a USB numeric keypad (a keyboard with only numbers) so viewers may select a video to watch based on an onscreen menu.

See this link available under "Tools" at AbolitionistVegans.org (or click the above photo) to see how to mod your own kiosk, download a copy of the software or, having not a kiosk, links to the downloadable educational pamphlets to distribute on your campus or downtown area.  Get out there and educate!