It’s been a while since I have been able to vent and share some of my frustrations about being a vegan in a non-vegan world. While I realize there are much bigger issues in the world, I feel I wanted to share some thoughts.
I recently read an article, being promoted by a veg-friendly but non-vegan organization, headlined, “Puritanical veganism is not for everyone—don’t let it put you off a plant-based diet.”
What exactly is puritanical veganism?
After reading the article, I realized the writer just meant vegans!
So, look, I get it. Not everyone is going to go vegan, and some groups aren’t going to promote veganism.
And I get that some people will call themselves vegan but still eat some animal products.
I get this.
What I don’t get is that these people can’t stop themselves from disrespecting vegans (no, we are not puritancial vegans—we are just vegans). Just because we don’t see veganism as a preference, like the choice between ketchup and mustard, choosing to not participate in causing the suffering of another being does not mean we are being puritanical.
Why is it “puritanical” to be consistent in our ethics? We should never, ever feel bad for caring about another being and not wanting to cause them harm.
My life has been dedicated to helping people think outside of themselves and see how their food choices can lead to positive changes in the world. And for many of us, we can make decisions not to purchase products sourced from animals or their suffering or to patronize businesses that exploit them.
So, you do what you need to for your work, but don’t discredit vegans because we care more about reducing suffering in the world more than what tastes or looks good.
And, well, if they don’t like us so much, why do some bother even saying they are mostly vegan but have cheese pizza sometimes. Why is it so important for them to use the word vegan? I’d say, “Just call yourself a vegetarian!” Besides, veganism goes beyond what you eat.
Having said all of that:
Why does the word flexitarian exist?
I mean, flexitarians are just omnivores. Unless some people really think that by eating “meat” they are carnivores, like lions and tigers?
If you are vegan, you probably have had people say to you, “I am a carnivore!” Back in my earlier vegan days in the 1980s and 1990s when someone would scream in my face, “I am a carnivore!” I would wish them well with their heart attack.
But now, I am more intrigued when I hear this, and I have to ask them if they understand that carnivores, by definition, only eat “meat.”
No need to bring up dairy because humans are the only species who drink the milk of another species.
And why are fishes different to our sense of compassion?
Why do people see them differently?
Why are there pescatarians or people who think that it makes sense to say they are vegetarian but they eat fishes?
Why is it somehow okay for grocery stores or restaurants to show the entire body of a dead fish in an advertisement?
They certainly wouldn’t do this with another animal with their fur or feathers still on, but somehow, again, fishes are different.
Don’t get me wrong. I know there are images of both human and non-human animals shown in disrespectful and insensitive ways throughout our society, but I will try to stay on message.
Then there’s the issue of the government counting animals individually who have been killed for human consumption—but not sea creatures. These animals are simply lumped together and weighed. Weighed! It is just appalling how all of these lives are so disregarded that there is no bother to determine how many lives are taken. It’s a good explanation of one way we are destroying the ocean. Not to mention the other animals who are killed.
I know many of you out there feel the same way, and I could continue to vent, but for now I feel just a little better sharing my frustrations and hope you feel better too. Just remember your compassion is something to be proud and the more kindness we spread, the more hearts we will open. Thank you!
Esta entrada tiene 13 comentarios
Love you guys, and am 99% vegan and an animal-rights advocate. But I’m almost 70, and can’t imagine not sharing a few sublime moments with my younger brother, following the advice of the «shellfish sommelier» at a special family restaurant dinner! As the People of the U.S. First Nations do, I silently send a thank-you to the shellfish for the nourishment they offer to us! ??
Well put. It’s been something I’ve grappled with and it’s nice to hear it articulated.
Thank you, Dawn! We really appreciate you taking the time to read.
Your frustration is my frustration too. I know there’s no shame in compassion but that knowledge doesn’t stop others from trying tirelessly to make one feel bad. Grateful for this article. Keep sharing. x
Absolutely! Thank you so much for your compassion and support, it’s greatly appreciated!
I loved reading this. Thank you. Help validate my own frustrations and cements the idea that we shouldn’t have to apologize for caring. Thank you!
100% Rachel. Thank you for reading and caring, you are appreciated.
This is great, lauren. If people hate vegans so much, then why do they self-identify as «partial» vegans? It’s like they want all of the benefits of being vegan (being seen as ethical?) without making changes that support nonhumans. Anyway, great post!
I’ve read quite a few quora.com insulting or trolling questions, and responded to them. I wrote someone a long letter who publishes a «vegan» website. And I’ve dealt with incredibly ignorant questions in person from those who have a problem with my being vegan. I’ve been served food by a hostess, with no apology, who knew I’m vegan. Another told me «Peter, relax.» That person never did up her respect for me in other contexts. Such is life.
As you, I encountered someone in a checkout line who insisted on using the term «vegan» and argued with me that it need not include humanitarian or compassionate restraint in lifestyle. I went home wondering from that one.
The truth is the same in all these instances: Everyone knows in their heart what is true, as in universally true. Very few actually feel powerless to change diet owing to digestion or protein requirement (regardless of the fallacy of one or both of those limitations). I had a conversation with someone, not about veganism, but something completely different. I had led him down the path of logic, which he understood perfectly well, but when we got to some point in the train, he simply could not think. True. He was unable to proceed as before. I’ve experienced the same thing in composition. My brain shuts off when I am about to make progress in a way that will bring me into the public eye sooner or later. So this phenomenon is real.
When confronted with truth, or Truth, or anything that hits a person’s nerve, even if it is false, many people who are averse to change, not to mention personal or spiritual growth, shut their brains down, or in the case of issues of compassion, simply turn off their hearts, i.e., move their consciousness (if their consciousness was actually in their heart center and not their emotional center) into their head, or use some other means to avoid bringing up or confronting what one might call, and might as well be compared to, «original sin» – guilt by birth. If you recognize that Earth is a school for resolving the soul’s pain of choosing or believing the apparent separation from God and associated confusion regarding its identity, then «original sin» is actually an accurate term for what vegans encounter in hostile or disrespectful non-vegans. Guilt, sadness, fear, inner conflict, anger, and every other negative internal experience , as well as confusion about what we like and don’t like and with whom or what do we identify, are powerful incentives for anyone’s choice of apparent path, and for being born.
I really appreciate all this honesty and out loud thinking! Often I take a «reduce your animal consumption» approach to make the message more palatable when it comes up, but inside I feel pretty much exactly how you feel. I’d love to hear you get interviewed on more podcasts! I heard you on Chickpeeps, but I felt it was too short. I imagine you’re really busy though so I get it.
Thanks so much for the work that you do. FEP is such a wonderful organization and has really helped me refine my approach to vegan advocacy.
Thank you, Veren! We appreciate your support and kind words and are so glad you heard our founder on Chickpeeps. We would love to be on more podcasts and welcome your suggestions. :)
Vegan 39 years, vegetarian 43 years! Do no harm!
Thank you so much for your commitment!