By Kirsty Coleman-
Beyoncé is a health freak, not a true vegan. Careful examination of her actions and what she says demonstrates this. The superstar has achieved great things in her career and her recent offer of a concert ticket as a reward for anyone who rises to her vegan challenge, was good promo for veganism. However, we must be factual and not get carried away. Veganism is more than just a show, adopting a health diet, or gaining credit for offering an attractive reward in exchange for a challenge. Veganism requires all its core followers to understand and appreciate what it really is about. That is respecting the value of animal life and being genuinely against any lifestyle that undermines or goes against it.
As human beings , we are not perfect, and there a people who are part of this publication, who are not vegan. Still, highlighting and spreading the importance and need for people to stop and review their lifestyle is an important mission. Beyonce’s promotion for veganism was great, but she needs to really question herself as to whether she really is vegan, or just wants to be associated with the name. Beyonce in reality is more interested in maintaining a healthy figure, and not so much in practising veganism. Many things support this conclusion.
22 DAY CHALLENGE
Beyoncé is known for following FAD diets and taking significant pride in her appearance. Back in 2013, Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, announced they were to embark on the 22-day challenge, which consists of eating a vegan diet for the full duration. This was encouraged and applauded by Marco Borges, the couple’s personal trainer and the founder of 22 Days Nutrition. Upon their announcement on deciding to embark on the 22-day challenge, the day before Jay-Z’s 44th birthday, with Jay-Z calling it a “spiritual and physical cleanse”.
PARTNERSHIP WITH MARCO BORGES
In 2015, the pair partnered with Marco to offer a vegan food delivery service, thus, making another association between themselves and veganism. Marco is the author of ‘THE GREENPRINT’, a book with the tag-line, “plant-based diet, best body, better world.” The author makes it clear that his intention is about improving health, bettering the world, and importantly, he hasn’t attached himself to the word ‘vegan’. Lots of praise to Marco Borges for being transparent about his intentions as opposed to jumping on the vegan bandwagon.
The U.S popstar and her spouse wrote the introduction, starting off with, “Having children has changed our lives more than anything else. We realise now, more than ever, that most of the things we want for ourselves we also want for the world – peace, happiness, love, prosperity, and above all, health.” This is just one example to show how important health is to her, above all else. Of course, health is an important part of our lives and one which we need to take control of, but regarding true veganism, the sole purpose is to join the movement in stopping the slaughtering of animals, and finding alternative solutions wherever possible to our modern-day needs. Does Beyoncé mean to say, that if eating animals had significant health benefits for humans, she would seek to consume a vast amount of meat?
This goes against veganism in itself. Despite this, Beyoncé cannot be stripped of all credibility, as she also writes in the book, “The world won’t change itself. We need to change it. A single decision by one person can affect change not only within themselves, but also within their family, their community and the planet.” There is still the issue, even after this statement, that Beyoncé continues to wear fur and leather, and admitted she does still eat meat. If she truly felt so strongly about this matter, would she not feel compelled to abstain from wearing animals, or at the very least, commit to a 100% vegan diet for longer than 22 days
In a youtube video, entitled 22 days Nutririon, Beyoncé comments on how her skin felt firmer, the weight she lost stayed off, and how she had to share the diet with the world. There is no mention of changing the world, helping the planet, or protecting innocent and voiceless animals from repeated torture and unforgivable treatment of animals. The selfish reason to improve her physique, is at the forefront of her mind, despite the applaudable speech in Marco Borges’ book.