We had the pleasure of interviewing Jamie Logan, an animal rights activist, a YouTuber and an inspirational vegan lady.
“I believe one day we are going to look back at the treatment of animals and be ashamed of ourselves.”
Can you share with us when your animal rights activist story started?
Jamie: My story started when I was exposed to the truth behind the food industry when I was 13 years old. I was visiting my grandparents in Indiana one summer and I saw a livestock truck on the highway. I remember sitting in the car with my dog and thinking there was no difference between my beloved pet and the pigs on the truck headed to be killed. From there, I decided to go pescatarian, and then throughout high school, I went back and forth a bit before finally committing to going vegan when I turned 18 years old.
What pivotal moment or experience motivated you to advocate for animal rights?
Jamie: Going vegan is not enough. If we want change, we must actively speak up for the animals. I started attending Anonymous for the voiceless cubes, and then I started going to slaughterhouse vigils, where I would give cows and sheep water before they were taken inside. Then, I began my filmmaking career, creating videos about animal rights that would reach millions of people.
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How has your vegan journey evolved, and what challenges did you face along the way?
Jamie: My vegan journey has been wild! I went from super angry and militant vegan to happy-go-lucky content creator who uses humour (and other approaches) to advocate for the animals. As an activist, I am always trying to determine what is the most effective form of activism for me and how I can reach the most people with this message.
We heard about your film “The Next Girl.” Would you mind telling our readers a bit more about it?
Jamie: The Next Girl is a short film about young women who are born into this dystopian world where their bodily autonomy is taken away from them, they are physically and emotionally abused, they are forcefully impregnated, and their children are taken from them.
We hope this project shines light onto real-life issues happening today.
This project means so much to me.
I put my heart and soul into the role because I believed in its capacity to create great change. The Vkind team, the director, and the writer were incredible to work with–seriously, the dream team! Even during extremely vulnerable scenes, I felt comfortable and supported. I am so grateful for them.
Could you describe a particularly impactful campaign or project you’ve been involved in?
Jamie: I recently worked on a national billboard campaign that illuminated the horrors of the dairy industry. Anonymous street artist Praxis and I created the concept and design and executed it.
The goal was to compare the false advertising the dairy industry uses by showing pictures of happy cows in grassy fields with the actual truth of where most of them live and are killed.
What strategies are most effective in raising awareness about animal rights issues?
Jamie: I am not one to criticise other activists and their tactics because I believe the worst thing we can do is not try. I support disruptions, open rescue, art projects, films, protests and more. I think different tactics work for different people, and there is usually a method to our actions. We need media/press and we want eyeballs on what happens to animals at all times; the way we do that should be by any means necessary.
How do you navigate conversations with individuals who may not understand or support the vegan lifestyle?
Jamie: I like to engage people in conversation by asking questions. I love the Socratic method! Depending on what the person cares about, whether it’s the environment, health, or animals, we can usually draw them in somehow.
Although it is essential to recognise some people are not ready to hear the message, so it’s best to move on to someone who is open-minded and willing to change their mind.
Can you share a story about a positive outcome or change you’ve witnessed due to your activism efforts?
Jamie: I love attending Anonymous For The Voiceless cubes because it’s a nice time to have a one-on-one conversation with an open-minded person about veganism. One time, I was at an event, and a woman came up to me and said she has been vegan ever since our last conversation six months ago; now, she is advocating for animals, too.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes or goals for the future of the animal rights movement?
Jamie: My hopes and goals are that one day we won’t have to even use the word vegan and that letting animals live is the default normal thing to do.
I see the meat industry becoming seen as cigarettes where people understand the health ramifications, warning labels are placed on packaging, and not as many people smoke as they used to.
I believe one day we are going to look back at the treatment of animals and be ashamed of ourselves.
Do you have any advice that you wish to share with our readers?
Jamie: I advise finding a support system and making friends with other vegans. We are so much stronger together! In a world where animal cruelty is normalised, we must come together, strategise, and do whatever it takes to achieve animal liberation.
Image source: Instagram