Comments on: Veganism Overly Defined

By: Intersectionality ‘Round the Interwebs, No. 15: BEEF!, Bitches & “Bruised Feelings” » V for Vegan: easyVegan.info

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:57:40 +0000

[...] from The Vegan Ideal to guest post at L.O.V.E.) and Royce respond to a guest post at Vegan Soapbox (Veganism Overly Defined) in which the author dismisses an intersectional approach to veganism and animal advocacy as [...]

By: Anne Moss

Anne Moss — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:49:48 +0000

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

By: jeannie

jeannie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:57:15 +0000

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.

By: Harry Hebert

Harry Hebert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:37:04 +0000

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

By: jeannie

jeannie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:55:17 +0000

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.

By: Harry Hebert

Harry Hebert — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:05:16 +0000

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.

By: Eccentric Vegan

Eccentric Vegan — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:42:33 +0000

“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.

By: notes on “Veganism Overly Defined” « Vegans of Color

notes on “Veganism Overly Defined” « Vegans of Color — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:01:15 +0000

[...] exploitation, intersectionality, notes, oppression, systemic veganism, tactics I just read the blogpost that Johanna linked to over at Vegan Soapbox. So I thought I’d post my notes on “Veganism Overly Defined” until such a time as [...]

By: Jam

Jam — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:04:16 +0000

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.

By: It doesn’t take much for the racism to come out… « Vegans of Color

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:06:15 +0000

[...] be put off by AR/vegan issues (it’s a real privilege to write off other issues as merely the “bruised feelings of some humans “; you can’t then be surprised if “some humans” want nothing to do with your [...]