Taking Back the Vegan Movement from Grifters

Don't let narcissistic con artists take over what activists started

I am proud to be part of a movement that for decades has been led by (mostly) well-meaning, compassionate activists motivated by such ideals as public health, animal welfare, and saving the planet.

But in recent years, the movement has been taken over by people whose sole agenda is to promote their own personal interests.

It’s not just the obvious examples of excessive capitalism that I have written about before. It’s certain individuals who pretend to be lifting up others when they are actually tearing them down, while they hoard all the attention for themselves.

The word grifter fits what I see happening. Here is one definition:

A con artist; someone who pulls confidence games; a swindler, scammer, huckster, hustler, and/or charlatan.

Social media, which did not exist when I started in the movement (way back) in the 1990s, has obviously exacerbated this problem.

Here are a few common themes I see with people who fit this profile:

  • They come out of nowhere but pretend to have been in the movement all along.

  • They gain a huge social media following very quickly.

  • They put on events to showcase themselves while pretending to uplift others.

  • They tap into celebrity power to pretend they are important.

  • They are focused on youth and looks instead of effectiveness.

  • They focus on the hyper-capitalistic aspects of veganism instead of activism.

Finally, they ignore those who have built the movement from scratch over decades, with the exception of a few stars who temporarily serve their purposes, until they discard even these people when they no longer are in positions of power.

I am tired of letting these grifters take over the vegan movement.

It’s time to speak out, but we need to do this together. Too many are afraid to come forward because those with narcissistic traits can be scary when they react to criticism. They will threaten “legal action” where no possible legal cause even exists.

That’s why we have to come together to fight these con artists.

Who is with me?

Women, Workplace, Plant-Washing, Money, GriftersMichele Simon