Tell us a little about yourself.
I reside in Chicago, Illinois. I love exercising, meeting new people, writing, and listening to music. I love expanding my mind. I’m in the process of landing a new job. I’m a YouTuber currently as well. I’m a music reactor. I break down lyrics of songs and explain the meanings of the multilayered lyrics to people who may not know the deeper meanings behind them. I enjoy what I do indubitably. My YouTube channel is Devo The Ambivert. I love helping other people to become better versions of themselves and empowering other people. I love to enlighten people. I love learning new things and growing as a person. I love languages. I speak English and Spanish. I took Italian, Portuguese, and French classes in school. I know a small amount of Swedish. I am straightedge as well. I never drank nor smoked. I don’t believe in jumping on bandwagons or doing what everyone else does to be accepted. I believe in self-dominion. I love looking things up for myself. I don’t blindly believe what everyone says. My IG is @dlocnation_locnified. My Twitter is @AmbivertDevo. My TikTok is @ambivertdevo and my YouTube channel is Devo The Ambivert.
What lead you to veganism? How long ago?
I ate a beef burger in the university dining center on campus. I attended Illinois State University over five years ago in August of 2020. I ate this beef burger a few days before my freshman year of college started. I was with my friends eating. A while after I left the dining center, I felt weird. I didn’t throw up or anything too crazy like that. But, I did feel weird. I told myself that I will be done eating all meat forever. The next day, I radically stopped eating all meat. I stopped eating dairy as well. I did not backslide. I don’t miss meat or dairy. I was going to eventually become a vegan anyway. I was always passionate about healthy eating and healthy living. I watched things like Super Size Me. The consumption food at McDonald’s can cause bodily ailments like obesity and cancer. Eating nutritive plant-based foods prevents against those diseases. Foods with antioxidants in them prevent against free radical damage. I watched things like Earthlings as well.
When you first went vegan how did you phase out your non-vegan food, clothing and other items?
I gave non-vegan clothes away. I threw stuff away as well.
Do you make any exceptions for yourself or if you are married with kids – your family, when it comes to veganism? For example, how strict are you with your children’s veganism at school or at family gatherings?
I do not have any children of my own right now. I’m focused on my passions. Before I have children, I will ensure that I’m financially ready and everything.
Do you believe we should show children the process of how animals are turned into meats?
I honestly believe that we should show children how animals are turned into meats that are consumed by humans. I don’t think that animals are to be here for human consumption. Animal cruelty is dishonorable to the maximum extent.
What does being vegan mean to you? For example, does it extend to not killing bugs and bees? Does it include not patronizing vegan companies owned by non-vegan parent companies? Does it affect the way you treat other humans?
Being vegan to me means the evasion of using animal products, whether they be cleaning products , body wash products, toothpastes, dairy products, animal flesh, etc. Being vegan is ahimsa, which means without harm. Being vegan to me means minimizing the harm on animals as much as possible. I do know that everything isn’t easily avoidable like car seats that may be made from animals. I treat non-vegans with respect and empathy. I was once a non-vegan. I understand that it’s hard to switch from meat-eating to veganism quickly. I said in one of my vegan raps that I am not a vegan who looks down on other people or thinks that I’m better than everyone.
Is it every vegan’s duty to become an activist?
I love vegan activism. I enjoy participating in the Cube of Truth events with the mask on and holding the television for pedestrians to watch. I’m passionate about letting other people know about the immorality that occurs in slaughterhouses globally. I love informing people about what veganism and I love debunking the myths about vegans and veganism in a respectful way. I think it is every vegan’s duty to become an activist. I don’t think it’s enough to just eat plant-based foods and use plant-based products. I believe it is fun to participate in activism and inspire others to become vegan in a more active manner. I feel that being truly passionate about real vegan activism and engaging in it more often would cause more real change to happen globally. The world is slowly awakening and getting better. The world is slowly veganizing. Haha that’s real.
How compassionate or empathetic are you towards non-vegans?
I’m immensely empathetic towards non-vegan members because I was once in their shoes. I used to eat meat all the time as a kid. I used to love chicken wings, catfish, pork chops, and other meat. I understand that it’s difficult to switch from meat-eating to veganism quickly. Certain people that I know have told me that they are gradually moving towards veganism. They are interested in becoming vegans. They don’t agree with how the animals are being treated. It’s despicable that the animals get enslaved. Certain friends that I met in college told me that they became vegan because of me. I was very appreciative that they were serious about becoming vegans. They’re still vegans to this day. I am very appreciative. It’s great to know that you had a positive impact on other people’s minds. I never force people to become vegan. I just inform people about the negative programming that is going on and what is being hidden from the public. We humans have been spoon-fed lies and false statements since birth.
Any recommended Vegan books?
I don’t have recommended vegan books but I have recommend vegan YouTubers. These vegan YouTubers include Joey Carbstrong and Earthling Ed. Vegan activists that I respect include Carbstrong, Ed, and James Aspey.
Any recommended social sites, blogs or pages?
Recommended Instagram pages are @torre.washington, @biancataylorm, @domzthompson, @nimai_delgado, @veganrapper, @anonymousforthevoiceless, @iamkingazir, and @vegan_indigo13.
Do you have a favorite movie or videos or your own media that you want to share?
I have vegan poems of my own. I have written and unwritten vegan raps of my own. I can send you a video of one of my unwritten vegan raps. I love the documentary What The Health. I recommend What The Health to people.
What’s your favorite Vegan restaurant?
My favorite vegan restaurant is Veg Soul.
Please share your favorite vegan recipe?
I love the vegan burritos. Vegan meat, brown rice, lettuce, guacamole, tomatoes, and beans go in these burritos.
Some encouraging words for new Vegans?
Do not let the criticisms of non-vegans cause you to backslide. Disallow the criticisms of non-vegans to bring you down. Instead of criticizing them back, educate them. Education yields better outcomes. Do not look down on non-vegans because you were once in their shoes. Don’t eat vegan junk food or vegan burgers all the time. Eat fruits and vegetables more often. Don’t be scared to partake in activism. Purchase B12 supplements. It’s important for vegans to get B12. No one wants to have nerve damage. Drink a lot of water. Don’t let anyone pressure you to eat meat or dairy again. Be around as many vegans as you can. Go to Cube of Truth events to meet other vegans. Learn from vegans who have been vegans longer than you. Never stop learning and growing. Read the ingredients in the back of products before purchasing them.
What is the vegan scene like in your city?
There are Cube of Truth events that happen every 2 weeks in Downtown Chicago. There are vegan restaurants all over Chicago, but there aren’t many. There are marches and disruptions that occur.
What personal recommendations can you make for people to meet other vegans?
Cube of Truth events are great events to meet other vegans.
What does living cruelty-free mean to you? Does it extend to the way you as a vegan treats other humans too?
Cruelty-free means something that is made without the killing or harming of animals. Cruelty-free is the antithesis of mistreatment and abuse. I feel that it’s prudent, sagacious, and good-hearted to treat humans, animals, and the environment respectfully. I as a vegan stand against all forms of oppression. Veganism isn’t limited to the standing against animal destruction.
What are you favorite Vegan non-food products or companies?
One of my favorite products is Silk(company) chocolate almond milk. Another fav is the Silk(company) blueberry vegan yogurt.
What is the toughest Vegan item to find that you need?
The toughest vegan item to find that I need is cruelty-free shampoo.
Talk about a time when you struggled with your Veganism?
A time when I struggled with my veganism was when I volunteered at Lollapalooza last summer. They had no vegan snacks, but I survived. I consumed water.
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