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Vegans of Color
Christopher “Soul” Eubanks on How He Became an Activist for the Animals
“When I became vegan, I didn’t realize I would also be going through a spiritual transformation.”
Vegans of Color is a series for Tenderly that highlights chefs, activists, and content creators of color who are leading a vegan lifestyle. I was inspired to start this column when I started thinking about my own ethnic and cultural background (my mom is Japanese, my dad is white, and I was born and raised in America) and the ways in which identity intersects with food in my own life. Growing up, I noticed that some foods I ate at home — like sweet Japanese curry and white miso soup — were totally foreign to most of my peers. When I became vegan two years ago, the recipes I discovered from popular and mainstream sources were most often versions of traditional American foods. This series intends to shine a spotlight on vegans who bring something different to the table.
“Once I went vegan, when I started to grasp what was happening to animals and the fact that it was so systemic, I felt like I couldn’t just sit back and say nothing,” says Christopher “Soul” Eubanks. The 37 year old photographer and organizer, who lives in his hometown of Atlanta, uses his creative talents to spread awareness of the problems with animal agriculture. From canvassing in the streets with his local Anonymous for the Voiceless chapter to capturing photo stories for animal sanctuaries, Eubanks’ work speaks entirely to his passion and beliefs.
He cites his upbringing in the vibrant, creative Atlanta community and early exposure a vegetarian diet as major factors that led to his current involvement in the vegan activist community. And Eubanks certainly isn’t alone in his endeavors; the booming vegan scene in Atlanta has given him many mentors and opportunities along the way.
In his conversation with Tenderly, Eubanks discussed the challenges of activism, the booming vegan scene in Atlanta, and how the marginalization that he himself experiences motivates him to campaign for animal rights.
