AR 2009: My Summary
Print This Post
I’ve been meaning to round-up my thoughts on FARM’s Animal Rights National Conference last week. I posted some initial thoughts already, but they didn’t truly capture my impression of the conference.
These impressions aren’t forming a story that can easily be molded into paragraphs that fit a theme, so I figured I’d just list them:
- The Attendees: It was difficult to determine the size of the conference and I didn’t ask. Statistics will be published soon, I’m sure. Last year 900 people attended and I’m betting it was similar this year. We really seemed to take over the hotel. I saw AR badged people everywhere I turned. Honestly, it felt a little overwhelming to me. Stephanie Ernst (change.org) and Michelle Taylor (Vegan Break) both recognized me and said hello. Both nice, warm and friendly vegans. I met Will Potter (Green Is The New Red) in the elevator.
It seemed like there were two distinct camps: the ALF-supporters and “moderates” (with various rogue vegans and others mixed in). Basically, the cool kids wore black and followed the Sea Shepherd crew around like, well, puppies. I had been forewarned that leafleters (and the like: virtual leafleters) are frowned on at this conference. I think there was a sense at the conference that leafleting isn’t real activism, though I get the feeling that’s more about “the scene” and less about what actual activists really think. - The Dogs: There were a few dogs at the conference. The hotel allowed dogs under 40 pounds. It made me miss mine. I got my husband to email me a photo of our little dog during the conference so I wouldn’t miss him as much.
- The Hotel: The hotel gym was nicer than average. And well-used during our visit, probably because of the high percentage of vegans and vegetarians staying there. The hotel screwed up our room and gave us one bed instead of two. They refused to move us and instead gave us one roll-away. Since we were sleeping four, one person slept on the chair. The next day – after requesting a new room for a second time – the hotel gave us a room with two beds.
- The Buffet: The vegan buffet was over-priced for what it was, but it served my purposes. I expected more conference attendees to eat at the buffet, but it seemed like most people went out to eat, which is understandable given the variety of vegan options in LA. The hotel restaurant staff was nice, but extremely slow.
- The Awards Ceremony: I didn’t go. Next time I think I might join for the awards. I wasn’t interested this year because I didn’t want to have to dress up, spend money, and try not to drink too much. But maybe I should get out of my comfort zone a bit more and embrace the fancy-smancy stuff. I have a tendency to see these kinds of events as a waste of time and money, but I know they appeal to a number of people, people worth shmoozing if I ever want to get anything done.
- The Exhibits: I bought a cute shirt from Herbivore. And some cute buttons at another booth. Dave Warwak recognized me and said hello. He’s a nice guy, a little odd and goofy. The Earthlings booth explained that the film is one part of a trilogy. The next part will come out next year. Someone gave my nephew a t-shirt that got a lot of attention. (If you were there, you know what I’m talking about). I got “into it” with a woman from RAN. They had a booth encouraging people to boycott palm oil. I asked if she was vegan. No, but her daughter was (huh?). Why isn’t she vegan? Argh.
- The Presentations: I had heard a lot of it before in other contexts, but it’s good to hear it again. Some ideas were new to me. And some activists inspired me more than they might have via the written word or video. I definitely felt like this was a great place to learn or get inspired. Notes are here >>
- My Head: I wasn’t in the mood for a conference. I wasn’t ready to be social. I was very flustered and nervous. My tongue was twisting and I wasn’t communicating well. So I kept to myself and missed a great opportunity to meet more like-minded people. Next time will be better.
So, I plan to attend again. And I’ll probably make it a habit, at least to attend it when it’s in LA.
You said:
“I think there was a sense at the conference that leafleting isn’t real activism, though I get the feeling that’s more about ‘the scene’ and less about what actual activists really think.”
If true, that’s really sad. I consider leafleting the most efficient and effective form of advocacy. You can reach large numbers of people in a short amount of time and do this in a non-confrontational way that is conducive to education. We need more vegan leafleters.
Yeah, that might not be entirely fair. Clearly the “moderates” were pro-leafleting and most of the sessions that I attended were leafleting-positive. Regardless, it’s not going to stop me. I’ll keep leafleting a couple times a month.
Excerpt from an interview with former ALF activist Peter Young:
http://strikingattheroots.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/for-peter-young-animal-activism-is-liberating/
What other forms of activism do you feel are effective?
Vegan outreach in all its forms. Absolutely one of the best things you can do for animals.
Speaking of veganism, does an animal activist have to be vegan?
Veganism is too often viewed as a symbolic boycott when it is more accurately framed as something that has a direct effect on the lives of animals today. I’m not vegan to withhold money from animal abusers; I’m vegan because I’m sparing animals suffering in the here and now.
If you’re not vegan, you’re making clear that doing even the bare minimum to help animals is beneath your will. Veganism is not just another tool in the toolbox. It is the bare minimum.
Brandon,
Peter Young is awesome. My point was just that he’s a rarity. Hence my comment, the anti-leafleting impression I got was “more about ‘the scene’ and less about what actual activists really think.”