One thing I come across quite often as a vegan is the "Live and Let Live" concept: The idea that by talking about and promoting veganism, I'm somehow infringing on another's right to eat what they want and live how they want. "I don't infringe on your right to be a vegan, why criticize my choices as a meat eater?" they ask innocently.
While I appreciate the sentiment of the comment, I think it overlooks a few key points.
The first of which is that we do get flack from meat-eaters. Often. Our friends and family may cut back on the comments after a while. But every time we're at a barbecue, or in any kind of mixed company where it involves food, shots are inevitable.
Secondly, vegans live in an animal-using society; not the other way around. So while you're being swarmed by all us pesky, judgmental vegans (less than 1% of the U.S. population, last I heard), we have to put up with dead turkeys on the table at Thanksgiving and the smell of cooking flesh all around us. I've had two experiences in the past week where I was at a vegetarian restaurant and I had to listen to someone describe the process of cooking and eating a certain kind of meat (usually prefaced by, "I'm not vegetarian. I just love meat so much, I couldn't give it up ___"). But us vegans, we're the ones who are really getting in everyone's face.
Also, because of the fact that our society is predicated on animal use as standard, I am also faced with hearing how unhealthy veganism is, and about friends of friends whose teeth all fell out and they couldn't stand up under their own power because they abstained from meat, eggs and dairy. I also get to hear about how vegans are skinny, pale and weak.
Lastly, and most importantly, the "you live your way, I live mine" comments overlook one of the main reasons many vegans become that way: a fundamental disagreement with the idea that non-human animals are objects for our use. I don't want to belabour this, because it should be pretty self-explanatory, but I will say this: 56 billion land animals die every year for human consumption and use. The vast, vast majority of those die in horrific ways to which even people who have no moral issue with killing animals for food would likely object.
But you're saying it'd be better if we ignored this because it irritates you or makes you feel judged, guilty or just irritated? I can't imagine other scenarios where ignoring something we consider morally wrong would be considered a positive.
Most people who know me, know I don't pester people about their animal use. But those people also know that I will absolutely discuss, debate and argue anyone about the issues because it's something in which I truly believe. Obviously, there is a time, place and tone in which to have those conversations, and they should be observed. But surely, you can't fault me (or other vegans) for the desire to talk about this.
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It still amazes me how attached people are to eating meat. They do not realize it wasn't their choice, that they've been conditioned by society, government, culture, family, etc. their whole lives and are just robots for the system. Once we help people understand they have a choice now to break their predatory eating habits, they can see more clearly that there is no physical need to consume animal products. Great blog post!
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog post indeed!
ReplyDeleteYou got a new follower.
Gogo vegan advocacy! Spread the Vegan Love!