Haute Box

1. “People have always eaten meat and they always will.” Sorry, but not true. Throughout human history, many cultures have eschewed meat. And just because something may have been done in the past doesn’t mean we should continue to do it. Move on.

2. “If I stop eating meat, it won’t make a difference.” It will to the more than 30 animals you save each year. All together, Americans ate 400 million fewer animals last year than we did just five years ago. Times are changing.

3. “We need to eat meat to get protein.” No, we don’t. Protein is abundant in plant foods. From nuts and beans to tofu and seitan, you don’t need meat for adequate protein. It’s a myth. The end.

4. “Animals on farms are treated humanely.” Not even close. Over 95 percent of animals raised and killed for food livemiserable lives on factory farms: crowded, filthy facilities where animals are crammed in tiny cages, mutilated without painkillers, and ruthlessly slaughtered. Don’t believe it? Watch this.

5. “I don’t like vegan food.” So you don’t like french fries or pasta? What about peanut butter or chocolate? Please. You probably eat vegan food all the time and love it; you just don’t call it vegan. Click here for some amazing vegan recipes. They taste great!

6. “Being a vegan is unhealthy.” In reality, studies show that vegans have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Plant-based diets have also been clinically shown to be one of the best ways to lose weight and safeguard against obesity.

7. “Athletes need meat to be strong.” Riiiight… unless you’re Olympian Carl Lewis, tennis champion Serena Williams, or ultramarathoner Scott Jurek. The list of vegan athletes is impressive and long. Forget about it.

8. “My body needs meat.” No, it doesn’t. Re-read number six. Your body would actually do much better without it.

9. “If we stop eating meat, cows will take over the planet.” Seriously? It’s called supply and demand. If people stopped eating meat, farmers would stop breeding animals. It’s that simple.

Kyemah McEntyre on her Afro:

Eiko Hara on Japanese beauty:

Daunnette Reyome on her feather:

Sashamoni Burnett on her locs:

Leaf McLean on her baby hairs:

Natasha Ramachandran on her traditions:

Brandi Kinard on her braids:

Appreciate, don’t appropriate other cultures. 

I can basically see the confidence oozing out of her.

I think 27 is going to be one of those peculiar, wayward sort of ages. A much more seasoned 23 peering from the shadows of 30, still only a rumor of who I’m supposed to be.

Spoiler alert: I still don’t have my sh*t together.