Sorry Hannah, but You’re Wrong on Veganism

An open letter to Hannah Einbinder

Dear Hannah,

I saw your comments on veganism in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and learned that you’re an actress and comedian, known for starring in the series ‘Hacks’. That’s all I know about you. Accordingly, I’m not here to make fundamental judgements about your life or motivations.

However, what you said in the show needs attention. Your statements may have been brief and may seem harmless — but they are actually wrong and dangerous. I’m sure you don’t have bad intentions. But in times of unprecedented global challenges and rampant disinformation, we must demand truthfulness and accountability — especially from people who are famous enough to appear on national television.

I hope you will see that the criticism below comes from a place of respect and genuine concern, and not from a place of hatred or all-out condemnation.

“I think that's when we're at our best: when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for our past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow. When we educate each other; when we guide each other to redemption.”
— Joaquin Phoenix

Here is what you said on Colbert’s show:

You said that, after watching the documentary What the Health a few years ago (great film choice, by the way), you became “totally radicalized” — meaning: you went vegan.

Then, after the conversation with Colbert had already moved to another topic, you suddenly say:

“I do need to clarify: I was vegan at one point. I no longer am vegan.”

And why? Because you “think that the pressure needs to be put on corporations who do a lot of damage to our environment, and less so on the individual.”

This may sound sensible at first — and earned you a few rounds of applause. But on closer inspection, these statements are dangerous and misleading. I’ll explain why below.

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Problem 1: You don’t seem to understand what veganism is

The casualness with which you speak about quitting veganism gives me the impression that you neither know nor feel the gravity of the issue at hand. Oddly, you don’t even seem to understand what veganism is. I have to agree with this YouTube user who commented on your Colbert appearance: 

Veganism, by definition, is a stance against animal exploitation and cruelty. But you didn’t address this aspect at all. Instead, you spoke about a health documentary and about environmental issues.

It is true: there is a link between veganism and these topics. The livestock sector heavily contributes to rainforest destruction, climate change, soil degradation, water and air pollution, antibiotic resistance, world hunger, and the deterioration of public health — and ditching animal products is a crucial step in mitigating these harms.

But the concept of veganism, at its core, is about avoiding unnecessary harm to animals. The livestock industry inflicts immeasurable abuse on farmed animals, making it by far the biggest source of suffering in the world.

If you didn’t aim to avoid unnecessary animal exploitation, telling people why you’re “no longer vegan” is pointless and misleading — because you were never vegan, or even understood veganism in the first place.

Problem 2: You contradict yourself

The violence and destruction caused by the livestock industry is so immense that anyone who has ever honestly looked at it from the victim’s perspective, including industry insiders, will vehemently oppose it.

There is some part in you that seems to understand this urgency.

During your Late Show appearance, in a strange but hope-inspiring contradiction to what you said earlier, you shout: “It's super important to go vegan!”

Wait … if you say that yourself, then why on earth are you “no longer” vegan? (And proudly sharing it on national television, potentially encouraging viewers to follow your example?)

Honestly, I’m a bit confused.

Problem 3: Your justification makes no sense

Let’s revisit your justification for not being vegan:

“I just think that the pressure needs to be put on corporations who do a lot of damage to our environment, and less so on the individual.”

I’m sorry but I have to be frank: much like the other 50 excuses that people often use to justify paying for animal abuse, this reasoning makes no sense at all.

Even if veganism was mainly about environmental protection (which it isn’t, as we’ve seen above), your justification would still make no sense. Why? Because:

If we don’t change, corporations won’t change

Yes, it is true that a relatively small number of companies are responsible for the greater part of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of course, it is important to hold these companies accountable, to highlight their missteps, and to urge them to continuously improve (no doubt, there is a lot of space for improvement!)

But as I’ve explained in another article, we can’t leave environmental protection and climate action to those “up there” —  for five reasons:

• Corporations exist because of us.
  Companies don’t create their products and services for themselves. Any given company  —  and all their ethical and environmental footprint  —  would not exist without consumption choices made by individuals. If you think corporations should stop murdering sentient beings, it makes no sense to purposely pay them for murdering sentient beings. As PETA has stated very aptly: “Corporations won’t change from a will to do the right thing — consumer demand is what urges them to change.” In my hometown Berlin, a major retailer recently opened a 100% vegan supermarket. The company didn’t do that for fun, but because it is catering to evolving consumer demands (Germany has recently announced a record low in meat consumption, which is the result of many individuals’ consumption choices.)

• To survive, we all need to cut consumption.
  Today's level of consumption  —  especially in wealthier countries — is not sustainable. A significant reduction in our consumption at all levels is the only way for us as a species to survive on this planet. Obviously, reducing consumption is a task that we cannot simply pass on to politicians or large corporations. We all need to do our part.

• We can — and must — all act simultaneously.
  You can demand that companies and politicians do their part AND try to live a fair and sustainable life yourself — both at the same time! It’s not mutually exclusive.

• You’re not alone.
  Even as a single individual, we can already save a lot of animal lives, water, grain, forested land, and emissions by ditching animal products. But if you’re worried about not having enough positive impact on your own, you can multiply your impact by (1) spreading relevant knowledge, (2) being a positive role model to inspire others, and (3) joining forces with others in advocating for justice, compassion, and sustainability.

• Politicians and corporations have a limited scope of action.
  Most CEOs couldn't simply decide to donate their company's proceeds to nature preservation projects. They would be fired by the company's shareholders. Similarly, the bold steps needed to save this planet have become exceedingly rare in modern politics. This is not because all politicians are jerks, but because this is  —  structurally  —  how politics works. And I'm not saying this is bad per se. The safeguards that limit the power of CEOs and politicians are important to avoid abuse of power. We as private individuals face our own challenges and limitations, but usually have —  in some ways — much more freedom and flexibility than politicians and corporations.

That means: Those “up there” won't solve our climate and environmental problems  —  because they can't

We should hold corporations and politicians accountable as much as possible, but also need to acknowledge the aspects discussed above. With their individual strengths and limitations, all stakeholders need to complement each other. And we, the private individuals, will play a crucial role.

While offering valid criticism towards others can be important, the real power lies in directing our attention to the aspects of life we can directly influence ourselves.

As individuals, we possess much more power than we often realize  — especially when we creatively explore our possibilities, strategically leverage our strengths and freedoms, follow our passions, and connect with others.

Pointing the finger to those “up there” raises false hopes, and is a convenient way to shirk responsibility. Here is another great comment from a YouTube user, highlighting the absurdity of your justification:

Despite its absurdity, the “corporations will fix it” narrative it is currently gaining ground. If you think it’s important to warn and educate people about it, please share this post with your friends and social media networks. 👇

Hannah, you’re not a bad person

As I said, I don’t think you have bad intentions. To the contrary. You seem to have your heart in the right place. For this very reason, I’m hopeful that my words will resonate with you (in case you ever read this, of course).

As someone with deep insights into, and grave concerns about, the livestock industry, I sincerely ask you to engage in more critical thinking and self-reflection.

To say it in the words of Albert Camus:

“The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding.”

Please make sure that public statements you make on important issues like veganism are well-founded. Don't underestimate the power your words can have, and the significant harm — or good — they can cause.

As you’re surely aware, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert  is one of the highest-rated U.S. late-night talk shows and has millions of viewers.

Fame is power. And with power comes responsibility.

As you can tell from their applause, the audience was receptive to your words — they're always eager to hear messages that absolve them of personal responsibility. However, the viewers of the Late Show and you, as a multi-millionaire actress, are all privileged individuals who bear significantly more responsibility on this planet than merely pointing fingers at those “up there”.

This approach won’t save anyone — neither us, nor the suffering animals. And deep down, you know it.

I’m charged up

Misleading narratives and anti-vegan disinformation are on the rise — sometimes caused by ignorance, but often actively pushed by the corrupt livestock industry. I’m ready to bust the lies and myths that people use to justify animal abuse. But I need YOUR help!

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