Social Justice Activist Shaun King Goes Vegan

Social justice activist Jeffrey Shaun King (who goes by Shaun King)—a journalist known as one of the leading voices to cover the Black Lives Matter movement—transitioned to veganism last week. “On day four of being vegan,” King posted to his 1.7 million Facebook followers before asking for suggestions for the best vegan restaurants in New York City. Vegan chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz invited King via Facebook to her Brooklyn restaurant, Modern Love. “I tried to get a reservation for my huge family there tonight, but it was all booked,” King responded. “Can’t wait to make it happen.” To make a connection between veganism and social justice, one commentator posted a news story about North Carolina’s Duplin county, where many people of color live, that is exposed to 15,000 Olympic pools-worth of animal waste every year from nearby factory farms. “This was absolutely one of the reasons why I became a vegan,” King responded. “I saw this story.” A columnist for political media publication The Intercept and commentator for news outlet The Young Turks, King frequently covers topics related to police brutality, mass incarceration, crimes against women, and racism.