I treasure my wonderful group of vegan friends and colleagues, people I know both on and off the internet. They provide a sanity-saving little oasis for me in this non-vegan world. They are also a source of information and inspiration, which I think helps me to be a more effective activist.
Wouldn’t it be great to live in a world where everyone shared our vegan values and goals? Where you could always find vegan food on the table and didn’t have to watch other people eating meat? How great would it be if no one made fun of your diet and lifestyle and not one person ever asked where you get your protein? This question came up a few weeks ago on Twitter: If you could live in a community where everyone was vegan, would you do it?
Unfortunately, for us ethical vegans, it’s just not an option. If we surround ourselves only with others who think the way we do, there isn’t much chance to be a voice for change.
My local animal shelter is one example. I love my volunteer time there and I get to connect with others in my community who care about animals. A few of us are vegan; most are not even vegetarian. Some of them will never make the connection between the animals we call pets and the animals we call food. But they are more receptive to discussions about factory farming than most other groups, and it’s good that there are some vegans on hand to get those discussions going.
I also belong to several online communities that are devoted to some shared interest—discussions about books, antiques, or various cultural issues. In some of these groups, I know I am the only vegan. It’s not always easy or comfortable. How many posts can you read about Thanksgiving menus—all including some poor dead turkey—without tearing your hair out?
But in addition to our mutual interests, I’m glad to be part of those groups for another reason. I suspect that a lot of these people don’t have much contact with vegans. They think we are from Mars. I like to believe that in some small way I am making the case that a vegan diet (and lifestyle) is not just for radicals living on the fringe of society.
I want people to know that someone who is just like them—who watches TV, eats too many potato chips, reads novels, goes to baseball games, collects antiques—can also be vegan and an animal rights activist. I’m not so much hoping to cultivate a positive image for veganism as I am trying to promote a normal image.
If we are not out in the world, and in touch with the culture of the world, we are missing opportunities to let people know that vegan diets are for everyone, and they can fit any lifestyle.
Great post! I agree completely – the more ‘normal’ vegans out there in the world doing normal things the better!
Beautiful! My thoughts/feelings exactly!
So true! I love the idea of living in a vegan community, but you are absolutely right. We can do so much more good by mingling with non-vegans. I always think about mingling as giving us a chance to talk about our views. But I often forget how important it is also to show that vegans are normal people. Vegans definitely have an image problem!
Well said. The issues discussed in this article are very important and need airing. Some vegans need to be more tolerant of non-vegans and not wallow in their “freakiness”.Vegans need to integrate into society and lead by example. As Gandhi put it “We must become the change we want to see in the world”
Interesting observations and ones I can relate to. I know very few vegans. A client of mine is vegan and has inspired me on my journey. A friend who’s an animal activist has been get closer to being vegetarian, eating shrimp still but planning to give that up. But when we and our friends go out for dinner, I’m the one who has lots of questions for the waitstaff. It’s hard to be the problem guest, but there it is.
Thanks!
Nature Maven
http://healthyeatinghealthyplanet.blogspot.com/
I agree, the de-normalization of veganism does nothing more than reinforce meat-eating as natural, normal, and beneficial for all. By de-normalizing veganism, a carnivor society strips our power.