Eating While Black: African Americans and the rise to Veganism
Kennae’ Payne
My senior thesis discusses African Americans and the rise to veganism. A vegetarian diet is associated with many health benefits because of its higher content of fiber, folic acid, vitamin C and E, potassium, magnesium, many phytochemicals and a fat content that is more unsaturated. African Americans are prone to certain diseases and around seventy-five percent of African American males and females develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes by the age of fifty-five, much more compared to other races, and that mostly stems from an unhealthy diet. Vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular amongst many groups in society, but most importantly amongst African Americans who are concerned with improving and maintaining a healthy diet, and also with the environment and ethics. This thesis describes strategies to help plant-based foods gain increasing acceptance into African American culture, which has an influential effect on a healthy lifestyle.
Kennae' Payne graduated from OWHS in Orangeburg, S.C. She is currently a senior at Lander University majoring in sociology with a minor in human services. Her experiences include understanding and identifying persons experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge as a certified Mental Health First Aider, and interning at Beyond Abuse in Greenwood, SC.
