Currently, I’m a student in NY state, soon to begin pursuing a degree in illustration. My name is C. Jacobs but I’m more commonly known by my Instagram username Cynical Coyote. My decision to pursue illustration came after a year of regularly creating artworks highlighting the plight of animals. I’ve realized art is far more than making aesthetically pleasing pictures but a political tool capable of changing the world.
What was the moment you realize that you wanted to go vegan?
It was late at night when I was browsing youtube. I found “Gary Yourofsky’s greatest speech” or something by a similar title. It was like a slap in the face. It forced me to realize some uncomfortable truths about both the world and myself. Things were not as idyllic as I thought, I was not living my values as much as I assumed. I had already had doubts about supporting animal agriculture before but Yourofsky pushed me over the edge, I went to bed after the video and woke up vegan. I haven’t looked back since.
How long have you been Vegan?
About a year and a half.
Why is being Vegan important to you?
Veganism is consistent with values I already had held, such as letting others live their lives and rejecting a human-centric outlook.
Any recommended Vegan books?
Yes! I highly recommend Animal Liberation by Peter Singer and The Abolitionist Approach by Gary L. Francione.
Any recommended social sites, Facebook Groups or other?
I would highly recommend the youtube accounts VeganRevolution, AskYourself and BiteSizeVegan.
Do you have a favorite movie or videos or your own media that you want to share?
My favorite vegan focused movie is Carnage, as I found the somewhat humorous film took a unique outlook on the vegan movement.
How do you actively promote veganism?
Yes, I am a vegan artist and hope to grow my activism in future years. The most satisfying thing about promoting veganism is seeing people change, be it sometimes a long, hard process. I once had a friend who regularly mocked me for being vegan, to the point where I thought she was a calloused animal hater. Gradually she has reconsidered her position and is actually vegetarian becoming vegan.
What is your favorite Vegan meme?
Anything that involves vegans eating grass and twigs.
What is the vegan stereotype you hear the most and how do you respond to it?
That vegans are self-focused and obnoxious. I counter it by being animal focused and obnoxious. Don’t worry too much about other people’s perceptions but focus more on being honest and helping the real victims.
What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?
Berben and Wolff’s, they sell fantastic seitan burgers.
Please share your favorite vegan recipe?
Some encouraging words for new Vegans?
The first few weeks or months are the hardest. But you will grow immensely as a person as you strengthen your values in the face of a society who challenges you every day to give them up.
What does living cruelty-free mean to you?
It means trying to cause the least harm and promote the most freedom for others that I possibly can.
What are you favorite Vegan non-food products or companies?
What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need?
Vital wheat gluten, the stuff’s expensive and rare where I live.
Talk about a time when you struggled with your Veganism?
When I was staying at a home where the people were foreign to the idea of veganism. I had no trouble resisting the bacon they shoved in my face, begging me to “have just a taste”, the real struggle was not starting a quarrel with my hosts.
What is one question you would ask other Vegans? Please answer it.
What is the best way to apply yourself to helping animals and the planet? For me it’s my art but the answer is personal.
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