This week, I caught up with the inspiring activist, Robbie Lockie (pronouns: they/them). It is widely accepted that mainstream media provides insufficient coverage when it comes to topics that don’t suit a certain agenda or ‘normalised behaviour’. These topics include gender inequality, a bias towards hetrosexual and cisgender lifestyles being depicted as normal and the negative impact animal consumption has on our health and the environment. Robbie is a natural born activist and has decided to do something about it. Together with Klaus Mitchell, they co-founded and co-directed Plant-Based News www.plantbasednews.org, which is the world’s latest online media outlet empowering its readers with information covering all things to do with veganism and plant-based living. Robbie has also produced viral videos for other media outlets, including the charity, Viva! [https://viva.org.uk/] Such as ‘The Dairy Industry’s … Trash,’ and ‘Swine.’ But it doesn’t stop there. Robbie is the founder of the annual https://www.worldplantmilkday.com initiative that challenges people to go dairy-free for seven days, and see how they feel afterwards.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Africa, Robbie relocated to London, England in 1999. As an attempt to overcome their health problems back in 2013, Robbie decided to try a plant-based diet to see if it would make any difference. This led to a permanent change, allowing Robbie to live a more vibrant life. At the time, Robbie was a digital designer, but after having become more increasingly aware of the animal rights issues, they felt compelled to do something about it, thus leading to the creation of www.plantbasednews.org, and what Robbie passionately does for a career to this day.
2:14 - Kate shares her angst about the current state of affairs in the world;
3:24 - Kate asks Robbie about veganism in terms of business ethics, morality and spirituality;
4:13 - Understanding the motivations of businesses, and what to look for;
6:14 - The financial credibility and transparency of Robbie’s platform, plantbasednews.org;
7:50 - The hypocrisy of businesses who use Pride Month as a marketing opportunity;
10:25 - Kate asks Robbie about his philosophy on gender;
17:34 - The discriminatory practices towards homosexuality across the world;
19:44 - The need for privileged people to educate themselves to become allies and help;
20:20 - Standing together to overcome prejudice and hate;
21:10 - The language that we use, and the associations that we make, can have a harmful impact on vulnerable groups;
23:35 - Why we should hear the truth, even if it is dark, and at times, distressing;
24:42 - Kate asks Robbie “what drives you internally, and how do you keep going?”;
Where to find Robbie:
https://twitter.com/robbielockie
https://www.instagram.com/robbie_lockie/
https://www.facebook.com/robbielionheart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbielockie/
Links:
https://www.worldplantmilkday.com
https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/