Keeping Vegan
I’m not a perfect vegan. But then again, neither are you. I can say this even though I don’t know who you are, where you live, and how you practice veganism.
It’s a matter of definition.
The Eccentric Vegan offers a video of a person reading the wikipedia definition. (Watch it)
Wikipedia says, in part:
Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Vegans do not use or consume animal products of any kind.
and
The British Vegan Society defines veganism in this way:
[T]he word “veganism” denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude — as far as is possible and practical — all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.
Notice in both definitions the words “seeks to exclude”. This because it is impossible to assure that everything you eat, everything you wear, every part of how you live is completely free of cruelty to animals. The tires on your car – or your bike – were probably created with the assistance of animal by-products. The organic food you eat might well involve the deaths of many little insects. The materials used to build your home may include some products that involved the use of animal products in their production.
I think it’s useful to remember the definition and to point it out the next time someone accuses you of somehow being “inconsistent” in your veganism. You may be somewhat loose, as I am, allowing some non-vegan foods to creep in when you eat out. You may be as strict as you know how to be, “keeping vegan” as others keep kosher. No matter where you fall on that vegan line you aren’t perfect, because there is no such thing. And that imperfection is in the definition.
Good article. Thank you.
Veganism is a journey, not a destination
Great post. I wish I’d thought of that reply when I was called a “damned stupid half-vegan” — see my post here.
Seeks to exclude. Very good. Thank you!
Lane of VeganBits.com
One should not underestimate the addendum “as far as is possible and practical”. A vegan would not knowingly partake in any form of animal exploitation unless it were unavoidable. It’s great folly to think that just because there are practical limitations in the world we live in, that someone who considers themselves vegan can support nearly any form of animal exploitation with the disclaimer ‘we are none of us perfect’.
There is no way to justify consuming animal products while at the same time considering oneself vegan. Such consumption is completely avoidable and certainly does not constitute a practical limitation.
‘Seeking to exclude’ implies that one is active and vigilant, not that they seek to exclude when it suites them.
All of that being said, the point that no vegan is perfect is well taken and undeniably true.
Point well taken, JonBen. I expect that there are variations in what each of us considers “possible and practical”, of course.
I tend to think of myself as “mostly vegan” because of the lapses that I could indeed avoid, practically speaking. Which I expect many vegans would find to be a ridiculous label, as I do “semi-vegetarian”. I do think, however, as Eccentric Vegan says, that veganism is a journey, and we are on different parts of that path.
Great post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views. It is helping me to find a group of people who are vegan but don’t wear it like a badge across their foreheads.
I have caught a lot of slack for my laid back approach to helping transitioning vegans and for letting people know that I am not an active animal activist; but rather I became vegan for dietary reasons.
I love this blog.
Andrea N.’s last blog post..1001 motivos pra ser vegana