14 million Deaths in 5 Minutes
A Slovenian vegan advocate Daša Keber is using her artistic skills to bring us closer to the lives of countless anonymous animals. Her video aims to encourage people to speak and stand up for them.
What was the turning point that finally made you go vegan?
I have always had a special bond with animals. But for a long time I didn’t want to face the fact, that my lifestyle was causing them pain. The deciding factor for me was watching the documentary Earthlings. It broke my heart. I could not bear it anymore. I could not look away from what I was causing.
The word “vegan” has various connotations; from animal rights movements, to social media posts of meals, and it being defined as a First world problem. How do you view the term?
For me, it stands for an ethical way of living in tune with my values. Not causing harm to others and not treating other beings as property or objects. Animals are individuals. Their lives matter and we have no right to take that away. There is no excuse for treating animals the way we do. Our personal pleasure or some antiquated tradition is not worth more than a life.
What motivates you to share awareness about animals?
The animals. Every day. When I see a transport truck, full of beautiful souls on their last day of life. When I hear the rattling of chains from cows closed up in dark barns. When I see photos of tourists posing with dolphins in marine parks. When I see someone being all proud of catching a big fish. When I see posts from other activists and when I hug my cats... Every day. They are living beings with feelings and they value their lives. No one should be robbed of their life. People need to realise that any creatures right to life and freedom is inalienable, and that we have no right to impose our will in such ways!
In what aspects did your life change when you became vegan?
In so many ways. Some are hard to explain. But you just feel lighter. Like as if all the weight of animal suffering you carried on your back, has been lifted. I am not causing this anymore. The biggest change I see in myself is that I became stronger, tougher and “louder”. I am not afraid to speak my mind, to stand up even if people around me are laughing at me and I stand alone. I used to be shy, didn’t speak up, didn’t share my opinions. But this is too important to stay silent. And this is what the video is about. To remind all of us who know this is wrong, that we have to stand up. That we have to speak up! They need us. WE OWE IT TO THEM. I wish to encourage everyone who hasn’t changed their ways yet to GO VEGAN. The video is also dedicated to the memory of all the animals that have suffered and are still suffering. It is a portrayal of those emotions all of us sometimes have: “I should have saved you”. That feeling of helplessness, when you wish to save someone but can’t. It is important to use these emotions for something good. To raise awareness.
