Meet this week’s Campus Cutie, Selena Sobanski! This stylish junior is also an animal rights activist who is devoted to living a vegan lifestyle and educating others about environmentalism. Between her time working as a barista at Jazzman’s Cafe and running the Animal Rights Club, Conn C.A.R.E.S., we’re so lucky that this busy junior took the time to share her interests with us!
Class Year: 2016
Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut
Major: Double major Biology and Hispanic Studies
Extracurricular activities: Barista at Jazzman’s (recently employed) and creator and President of Conn C.A.R.E.S. (Connecticut College Animal Rights and Equality Society), an affiliated student organization.
Party anthem: Right now? Rhye- “Open” (Branchez Remix)
Favorite food: This is tough…a close tie between buffalo vegan nuggets and pad thai.
Favorite Harris food/meal: Vegan bar-night!
Favorite class you’ve taken at conn?
Environmental Activism and its Political Impact Around the World with Professor Jane Dawson.
Favorite place on campus?
Hmm…I’d have to say the arboretum. More specifically, the Mamacoke Island marsh.
You have a great sense of style, how would you describe it?
Many of my favorite clothes have come from Whole Foods or thrift shops, so I’d describe my style as behind-the-granola-isle, mix-matchy.
Favorite item in your closet?
Probably my converse, I wear them practically every day.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I was asked, interviewed, and later chosen in the final selection process to be one out of the fifteen participants on FOX’s Utopia.
I hear you’re passionate about animal rights, why is that important to you and what are you doing to help?
I do, and have for a long time, felt a deep closeness to and empathy for the other species with whom we share this planet. It began with cats and dogs, but I made the connection early on that all life should be respected and valued equally, contrary to the selective compassion our culture encourages (i.e. “it’s okay to slaughter pigs/cows/chickens but not dogs/cats”). I have become increasingly outraged by the human tendency to take ownership of ALL air/land/sea/species, whether claimed or unclaimed, and belief that all earthly beings and the entire planet are here for our disposal. Let me ask you this (try to answer objectively), does it seem just that one species out of millions gets to determine the fate of every other living thing, including the planet itself, taking little, if not no, consideration for their very existences? So the the next question then is, “why should animals have rights?” The philosophy of animal rights requires that the intrinsic value of every animal be respected. All animals have similar levels of biological complexity, consciousness, sentience, and desire to live. Just as certain humans do not exist to serve others, non-human animals do not exist to serve humans (who are animals as well). We must recognize our place in this world and extend compassion to all animals. This means that non-human animals are not ours to abuse, wear, exploit, experiment on, or consume. Non-human animals are not ours, period. This is the fundamental principle of animal rights.
What I’m doing to help: First off, I am vegan in both diet and lifestyle. This means I do not consume or use anything that came from an animal. I do my absolute best to avoid cosmetic and household products that have been tested on animals. Second, I am an activist! My goal is to educate my peers on all forms of animal abuse and the impacts of human consumption of animals and their products on the planet, and open peoples’ eyes to the many ways they contribute/can help to end animal suffering. If anyone is friends with me on Facebook, they know I post about veganism/animal rights/environmentalism almost every day. My passion for animal rights has developed tremendously within the past year, time during which I have attended the National Animal Rights Conference in Los Angeles, protests, walks and fundraisers. I also created and am President of the Connecticut College Animal Rights and Equality Society, so keep your eyes peeled for news and upcoming events!
How do you feel about being Campus Cutie?
I am honored!