Famous Vegans - Persia White

Persia White at Farm Sanctuary Gala in 2008.

Persia White

Born October 25, 1972. She's an American actress, musician, producer and painter. She is best known for her role in the television series Girlfriends. She also played in the television shows Breaker High and The Fall of Night and has played guest roles on shows like Angel, NYPD Blue and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She played in several independent films like Red Letters and Blood Dolls. As a musician, she plays in the band XE03 and performs solo. Her solo music can be found at this link. She is vegan, an animal rights activist and the co-producer of the movie Earthlings, which was narrated by Joaquin Phoenix (English version) and Georges Laraque (French version). You can find her website at this link.

Persia White participated in an anti-fur campaign for PETA:

To make this clip and print add she held a death, skinned fox in her hands. About this she said:

"I feel a little sick and shaky because of holding this animal. And I think the thing that made me become a vegetarian and become involved with animal activism in the first place is when I was a little kid, I saw my dog get run over, and a part of his fur got lifted up, and you could see the flesh of his leg, and it looked very similar to the animal that I am holding."

Other quotes by Persia White:

"Most people never see real animals dying nowadays. ... It is graphic. I mean, there's no problem looking at some freshly picked vegetables. You wouldn't get sick, you know? Anything that has to be hidden and covered up …, I think there's something really dark going on there that should be exposed."

"I’ve always been an animal-lover and when I was about twelve I became a vegetarian. My mom subscribed to PETA’s magazine and I just started looking at the level of what it was. And I just thought it was unkind, so I made my personal choice."

"I’ve been vegan for about 8 years." [interview 2008]

"People may have an idea that the meat industry and what goes on behind closed doors might be creepy, but what you don't know may be killing you. Yes! Actually killing you. There are huge corporations that are profiting off of peoples lack of awareness. This is not some hippy talk I’m giving you, but straight up truth. You owe it to yourself to know what you’re putting in your body, as well as the pain and suffering you take part in when you support such vicious industries. It’s liberating to be informed and make choices with open eyes, rather than being a blind unhealthy victim of corrupt corporations that only want your money."

"The fact that the meat industry is more concerned with profit, than health is disturbing. The people in our country today seem to trust the meat industry more than they should. The Bovine hormone which is given to cows was illegal in the United States at one point but now it’s back even though it affects our health, is linked to problems like cancer and has been proven to be dangerous and banned in other countries."

When asked what inspired her to co-produce Earthlings, she answered:

"I was shocked and devastated when I learned what goes on behind closed doors on factory farms, fur farms, and other industries of death. I wanted to be part of a film that elevates consciousness and compassion, Earthlings does that."

"I know we can make a difference in the world around us. One simple action can lessen or stop the suffering of another. Every great movement, invention, or philosophy began with ONE person. Often times society can make a person feel small or unimportant, yet there is tremendous strength in every word, every action, every voice. It's time to be heard."

Quotes are from the Thoughts page on her website, her interview with Men's Fitness, her 2008 interview with Ecorazzi, her interview with PETA and her interview with SayWhatNews.