Veganism and the Black Community

Veganism in the US today is associated with white privileged society. Black communities have not embraced a meatless diet and, in fact, surveys have shown that African-Americans are the largest consumers of meat in the country.

There are reasons for this. Affordable, fresh produce can be difficult to find in many communities of color. Many of these neighborhoods have access only to fast-food chains and convenience stores that provide cheap, highly processed food. These so-called racial food deserts are often made up of low-income families. If fresh fruits and vegetables are available, they’re often expensive and out of the price range of families.  

During centuries of enslavement, black families developed food cultures based on what was available to them. Meat scraps, pig’s feet, and intestines were staples as they were what was left over from the slave masters who provided their food. These, along with other more undesirable foods, became integral to family recipes and meals,  which have been passed down through the generations and are still eaten today.

However, veganism does have roots in communities of color. The word “vegan” was coined by Donald Watson who founded The Vegan Society in 1944 to describe a  cruelty-free diet that includes no animal parts or products. The Rastafarian lifestyle in Jamaica has links to veganism, while followers of Hinduism and Buddhism, who promote nonviolence, avoid foods derived from animals.   

Today, while many in communities of color in the US may not be aware of cultural links to veganism, some well-known personalities, including Serena and Venus Williams, Beyoncé, and NBA start Kyrie Irvin, are shining a light on the movement and its health benefits.

As more low-income communities of color gain access to affordable healthy fruits and vegetables, there will be a greater chance that these populations will choose vegan foods over cheap processed foods and meat.