1536:
Edited by CJ Tointon
As self-appointed advocates
for animals, vegans find themselves in a tricky position. We assume that
we have the right to talk about them (on their behalf) because we no longer eat
them. Maybe we are in a strong position, but it still doesn’t give us the
right to tell people what to eat or to expect them to agree with us. We
need to be 'invited' to speak on this subject and for that we need to earn the
listener’s respect and interest. We have to be convincing whilst going
easy on the moralising. Perhaps ask a few questions (just to keep the
conversation going) in order to encourage them to also ask questions.
Sure, we may want to be
activists, communicators and educators, but we also need to be sensitive to
peoples' problems regarding their food addictions. There are some
practising vegans who don’t aim to be activists at all; they're happy
just to do their own thing. Others, however, aim to persuade people to protest,
demonstrate or get into direct action regarding Animal Rights. They
believe the cause is worth promoting, despite the seeming lack of interest
amongst most people. We need to be optimistic that peoples' attitudes
will eventually change.
Unfortunately, attitudes
aren't changing radically enough to bring about the sort of chain reaction
needed to alter today's fashion and make veganism the 'new way'; the
spark that sets everything else off. Environmental causes, health
matters, even the problems of world hunger are always so 'humans' orientated
that no room is left to emphasise the main issues concerning animals. And
if animals aren't targeted, we remain a species concerned only with our own
interests. We'll never go that essential further step, to see the ramifications
of condoning animal slavery. In fact, the root of most problems is Human
Nature being too human-centred and unless we have the courage to deal with that
aspect of our nature, nothing else can change thoroughly enough to secure the
future of either our species or the planet itself.
Returning to the nuts and
bolts of this 'tricky position' we vegans find ourselves in, we need to face a
few initial blockages, in order to move past them. Firstly, we keep our
feet on the ground by realising just how unaware 99% of people still are about
the level of animal cruelty involved in producing 'animal-derived foods' and
the health problems associated with eating these foods. We face
apathy. "The sun's hot, the water's cool, the beach is
inviting. Who gives a stuff about animals"? And we face those
who might feel compassion for animals but aren't ready to commit. "I admit
it's a serious issue. I'm listening. I'm ready to consider.
I'll hear you out. I'll try a plant-based diet - but I won't become
an activist"! There are many stages of acceptance which are
still a long way from the sort of single-mindedness of the entirely
convinced. That is, being convinced that the vegan principle is the key
to unblocking the path to greater things. And unless we arrive at
'greater things', we are always going nowhere.
People have to first break
down their mistrust and dislike of vegans. If we can show an interest in
them, trust grows and dislike diminishes. If there's a spark of interest,
or even a question, then we’re almost in business (unless they’re just being
polite). If they do provide us with an unguarded, intelligent question,
it opens up the communication channels like nothing else. It makes it no
longer necessary for us to walk on eggshells. If they take the initiative
in asking, it makes our job that much easier. No more needs to be
done. It's down to them to chew over (no pun intended) what we've been
able to tell them.
What we DON'T want in the
early stages, is for the door to be closed in our faces as the result of our
clumsy way of approaching people over animal-related issues. "Once
bitten twice shy" and the door may be closed on us for ever.
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