Veganism Overly Defined
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It is possible for an advocate to attach favorite causes to Veganism and it result in the listener becoming turned off by the package. Typically Vegans are caring and compassionate beings that have a broad range of interests. Some oppose Ableism, fat-phobia, hetrosexism, and a large range of ‘isms’ and ‘phobias’. Others want to champion the awareness of environmental concerns. Yet others have extreme left or right wing political views which they wish to champion. All too often such persons and some blogs get their Vegan message all jumbled up with defending or opposing issues which are only distantly related to the elimination of exploitation of the non-human species.
The principle of ‘non-exploitation’ can be as far reaching as the teaching of ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’ The application of these principles strikes resonant chords with many persons. However, I feel it is important that all of this baggage not be attached to Veganism as such. As a Vegan one may choose to concern oneself with saving the planet environmentally, but others may be disinterested in this pursuit. If they get the impression that in order to be a Vegan they ’should’ or ‘must’ also embrace all these other interests as well, they just might reject the ‘package’ altogether. When this happens, one less person is enlisted in the reduction of exploitation of the non-human species.
Personally I have been turned off by several Vegan blogs which get so involved in the bruised feelings of some humans that the plight of voiceless animals becomes a marginalized issue. I feel it is in the best interests of Vegans to keep their message simple and succinct.
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This article was contributed by Harry Hebert. You can read more from Harry at Harry’s Tidbits.
I agree…the message will get lost in the clutter of difficult words or even issues that as far as I am concerned are not related to veganism or animal rights.
And just to chip in on ableism and Gary Franciones new vegan flyer: It is downright ineffective. Just take the term ‘ableism’. It is normally only used in the United States. So, are we going to reach people with this material in Great Britain? in India or Norway? I have my doubts…
Veganism was only mentioned half way down the poster: this while a vegan flyer’s main purpose is spreading veganism and educating the public.
I really fear bad and inefficient communication (and in fighting :p) is becoming a problem.
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and just to clarify: when i said that veganism was mentioned half way down i was referring to the reasons to be one: non human animal use, …
and by the way: no explanation was given as to what was meant by it.
oneandonlyhypnos´s last blog ..Is the end in sight for the fur industry?
i think i get the general point about picking and choosing single “battles” at a time when attempting to educate others who may not have a solid concept of reasons for veganism. i also believe in precision of language and being as concise as possible, especially when speaking directly with people as a form of sharing information.
however, i also think it’s essential that people understand that systems of suffering and oppression are often related/connected, or are at least maintained for the same purposes by related groups (for profit, by those who profit). there are numerous parallels between oppression of human animals and non-human animals. i think it’s acceptable to verbalize these connections, especially to help some people see reasons why they should care about animals’ oppression (unfortunate that one should even have to explain this, but clearly many people buy into the bad programming we are fed that we are superior to non-human animals and that non-human animals are incapable of experiencing the range of sensations and thoughts that we are). in these cases i don’t see why veganism shouldn’t be placed in a context many people are willing to understand by relating it to causes they may be familiar with or more willing to acknowledge.
i don’t think we have to completely isolate causes in order to communicate about them effectively. sometimes comparisons help to construct valuable arguments.
“I feel it is in the best interests of Vegans to keep their message simple and succinct.”
I couldn’t agree more Harry.
Daniel´s last blog ..2010: The year to go vegan
I completely agree with mushroom. I think that there are many, many ways to talk about veganism. What works for one person is less effective for the next. In one context, you may one a short and “simple” message, i.e. for an introduction. On the other hand, you may be at a university trying to get activists from other movements interested, in which case it may be more helpful to have a complex message with great breadth, although since it still may be an introduction for a lot of them it would also be important to have a clear message come out of it. I don’t think that complexity and clarity have to be mutually exclusive, but I also have an appreciation for ambiguity which I think a lot of college students share with me – and I speak from the experience of going to events at my university about homonationalism, transgender issues, and neo-colonialism.
I think veganism is related to other justice movements. I see relationships.
However, I also know that humans are easily overwhelmed and feel apathetic when confronted by the realities of our current oppressive systems. So I agree with Harry that it’s often more effective to “keep it simple, stupid” and stick to one topic at a time.
But mostly, I think it’s important for people who advocate on behalf of animals to be genuine and honest and real. I think if someone wants to speak up for animals and they see veganism as intertwined with anti-racism and anti-sexism and anti-abilism, then they should “speak their truth.” Genuine, honest, real advocacy is THE best kind.
It’s important to think about efficacy, but we shouldn’t let it trip us up. We, vegans, should speak up whenever and however we want. Our voices are our most powerful tools.
Others *do* matter–what is the point of being vegan if it isn’t related to all peace and justice movements. A one-track mind has not gotten any movement much in the way of results. Prejudices will just shift and a different “othered” group will bear the burden.
“what is the point of being vegan if it isn’t related to all peace and justice movements.”
With all due respect, the point of being vegan is to not have the blood of tortured and killed animals on our consciences. The point is that animals are not food sources. The point is that animals are not entertainment sources. The point is that animals are not science experiments.
Or, more accurately, there isn’t necessarily a point to being vegan. Veganism is a habit, a set of actions. It’s not necessarily a set of beliefs, a religion, or a philosophy. It’s merely excluding the use of animals for food, clothing, etc. Anyone who does that is a vegan, regardless of what goes on in their head.
You may as well ask, ‘what is the point of not smoking if it isn’t related to all peace and justice movements?’
Eating animals is bad, bad, bad. It’s bad for people, it’s bad for animals, it’s bad for the environment. You don’t need a reason to refrain from doing bad things. You don’t need a set of connected ideas to refrain from participating in cruelty. It’s really just that simple.
Elaine, that was well said. Although everything is somehow connected, it is possible to obsess about aspects in particular and get completely sidetracked. I do not refuse to use the bowl my oatmeal is in because it was manufactured in China at slave wages. Its just a bowl, its here, my wife bought it, and its not worthy of my wasting good mental energy on it.
Harry Hebert´s last blog ..Bullfighting is on its way out.
HarryH, if you wish to work on solving just one side of the Rubik’s Cube of oppression, you are obviously free to do so. However, some animal rights activists find it imperative, meaningful, AND effective to work on solving the whole Cube rather than just working on one side while ignoring all the others. Using the Rubik’s Cube analogy I could elaborate on the technique, worth, and success of solving multiple sides simultaneously, but I have faith that if you think about it for a moment, you may start to understand what I am saying.
Oppression is the root cause of injustice/exploitation. I think a number of activists have just recently grasped the intricate and interrelated problems with oppression for the first time in the past couple of years or so. So they are making connections all over the place for the very first time. My impression is that activists (including myself) haven’t quite honed their approach yet to incorporate all they’ve learned into a cohesive, robust, and simple message. But attempting to do so I believe will go a long way in allowing other people to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
While you are trying to solve one side of the Cube with one hand, take a stab at reading Animal Rights/Human Rights (by David Nibert) with your other. I promise you that it will be worth your time.
Jeannie,
If Oppression is the root cause of injustice/exploitation, then compassion could be said to be the core of changes hoped for. As persons are full of compassion and love, they are naturally horrified at the videos of animal exploitation as well as exploitation of any other species. I use the word ’species’ to make sure that birds,fish,and insects are not left out. However, if persons are lacking in compassion, then they are hardly likely to forgo their veal cutlet or steak to benefit some creature in a distant slaughter house. Usually their compassion extends no further than the human species. Persons with compassion are usually quick to agree that oppression, injustice, and exploitation are undesireable regardless of which species or group is the victim. I can easily see where persons of compassion might therefore ‘find’ veganism as I did as they tried to expand their circle of compassion beyond humans alone. Those who now have a basketful of ‘isms’ and ‘phobias’ that they are championing may also therefore ‘discover’ veganism along the way.
In my post I felt that veganism is understaffed in members as compared to other groups and most deserving of my limited time. This does not mean that I am uncaring about the others, it just means that I am focusing. When asked to define Veganism, I elect to give the simpliest explanation possible and leave the other groups for another discussion. I very much agree with Albert Schweitzer who said: “Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not find peace.”"
Harry Hebert´s last blog ..Quotes – Page 220
Compassion alone can be misguided. Compassion without awareness solves nothing. (I think the “humane meat” movement is a good example of this.)
Weaving a rich tapestry of profound truth regarding all living creatures (human and nonhuman) creates far more enduring awareness than a one-dimensional overly simplified embroidered vegan slogan to be framed and hung upon the kitchen wall.
I can no longer put “other” social injustices on the back burner, since I have come to understand that ALL forms of exploitation are lit by the same dangerous source.
Vegan people have different views. Not all are even vegan for the same reasons. Everyone is free to express their views as they see fit. Whatever it takes to convince people to become vegan is good, in my book.
Anne Moss´s last blog ..Four Healthy Vegan Sandwich Ideas