Non-judgement

1426: 

I find that the subject of animals usually arises when you're least expecting it.  We might be chatting about something and up comes this question of animals - using them, eating them, cruelty issues, carbon emissions, etc.

Instead of plunging straight into the issues themselves, I find it best to establish a non-judgemental ‘space’ first.  Because vegans are easily tempted towards making value judgements and non-vegans are tensing up in readiness for them coming their way, its useful to divert away from the expected.  Putting people at their ease is essential, if difficult.  We don’t need to patronise them but we do need to show we’re on the same page; that we’re no better or much different from each other; that I know how difficult the subject is; that I know everyone is at different stages, regarding animal foods, etc.; that I must try to establish a belief that everyone is at different levels, at different stages of their lives; that the Greens are greener than those who haven’t yet joined up; that the Freedom From Hunger campaigners are better informed and generous than those whose attention is focused elsewhere.

And vegans ... well, we have a most important job quite aside from promoting rights for animals, and I think it is in making others feels that no one is ever above anyone else, when all our values are balanced out.

All this fancy footwork has a purpose.  It equalises us and allows for listening, learning and teaching to take place without value judgements getting in the way.  It’s likely people want to know more about us, about our views and our diet.  But as soon as the preacher climbs the pulpit, communication is bound to end.  And it’s so easy for vegans, who have made major changes to their lifestyle at considerable personal inconvenience, to now wish to be admired on the strength of their life-of-principle; for them to be endowed with some sort of authority, as one might admire a monk or nun who has given up worldly concerns to better concentrate on their faith; for us to expect others to then sit at our feet to seek our wisdom.

Once we have laid the ground, and are seen as being approachable, then specifics of animal-use can be dealt with.  This subject is laden with emotion; it’s such an emotive and ego-laden issue.  To discuss anything about animals, it has to be important to first get close enough to trust each other, so that in the event of disagreeing, each is assured that one's affectionate nature will be maintained.  And it's doubly important to show that nothing can alter that, even when one is provoked.  That, above any other strategy, will stop our disagreements turning into a quarrel.

For good measure, I’ll throw in a small display of good manners with a dash of self-effacement, which sets the standard for mutual regard or at least an equal footing.  I find it’s a sufficiently powerful persuasion in itself.  I want to be seen as outrageous and daring, but always affectionate, and always insisting on mutual respect.  I see Animal Rights as being a peace movement where I have a responsibility to establish the idea that both humans and non-humans deserve respect.  As vegans we are in an ideal position to show how peaceful action and peaceful interaction can work, on all levels.